When comparing Apple Notes vs SynapBook, the Slant community recommends SynapBook for most people. In the question“What is the best cross-platform note-taking app?” SynapBook is ranked 12th while Apple Notes is ranked 18th. The most important reason people chose SynapBook is:
Using the tree structure, you can structure the content.
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Pros
Pro Sync with other Apple devices via iCloud, other cloud/email services
It syncs with iCloud, and surprisingly, also with Gmail and possibly other services too.
Pro Built-in
It's a default system app, making it easy to find and use since it is already installed.
Pro Rich-text editing
Allows for simple text formatting and making TODO lists with checkboxes.
Pro Attachments
You can add files to notes and then filter notes by attachment types.
Pro Supports sharing
Pro It's fast, and syncing is very dependable
The app launches quickly on both Mac and iOS, it also syncs quickly (in seconds) and very dependably across different Apple devices.
Pro It remains simple to use with a gentle learning curve
Despite the significant new updates in iOS 9 and iOS 10, you can start using Notes immediately, then try/master new features with ease — definitely a gentle learning curve.
Pro Memo can be structured in tree form
Using the tree structure, you can structure the content.
Pro Nice sticky memo UI
It can support pop-up notes which can be used like simple Windows Sticky memo app.
Pro Both search-based Memo and organizing tree Note
Search-based notes and tree-oriented tree notes are supported separately, so can be used conveniently depending on the purpose.
Pro Offline mode support
Basically, it is based on server synchronization, but it can be used offline.
Pro Folding
Groups can be folded.
Pro Various text styles and decorations
General styles (bold, font size), highlighter and separator line, and more.
Pro Frequent updates
Bug fixes and additional new features rolled out frequently.
Pro Free
Cons
Con Cannot export to a format that can be imported again
This makes it obscure and cumbersome to back up your notes as files that could be managed by your backup system. You can export to PDF, but not in bulk; and this isn't the native format that you can easily recover with.
Apple compounds the problem by using some undocumented format for notes. You can, however, back them all up by backing up the files found in ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Notes/Data/Library/Notes
Con Does not support iOS
This app only supports Android and desktop OS, but not iOS.