Best Free Note-taking Apps (2024) for studying & research

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People take notes in a variety of different techniques, each of which is influenced by their personal preferences and routines. Taking notes is something that everyone does, whether it’s a little note put on a piece of paper or a digital summary that’s been carefully put together. There are those who prefer it when their notes contain solely of text, while there are others who prefer it when they are artistic collages that include photos and doodles.

Regardless of the approach that you take, you can rest assured that there is an application that caters to your preferences and requirements. If you experiment with a few various tools, you will be able to find the one that is best for your own method of taking note. Anywhere, from the margins of an important piece of paper to the pages of a notebook, is an appropriate spot for taking notes.

In a similar fashion, digital notes can be utilised in virtually any application, even if the primary function of the app is not to compose notes. There is no distinction among taking notes on the back of a serviette or an envelope and doing the same thing. Despite the fact that the content was not designed for notes, it is effective. In the same way that you can jot down ideas on any surface, you can also add notes to a variety of apps and alter them to suit your need.

What is a Note Taking App?

Apps for taking notes are digital tools that are specifically designed to assist you in effortlessly capturing and organizing information and ideas when you need them. You can jot down anything from meeting notes, task lists, and brainstorming sessions to personal thoughts, research discoveries, and even artistic inspirations on their digital canvas, which they supply for you to use.

Best Free Note-taking Apps Comparison Table

One thing that is the same whether you’re in a meeting to learn about client needs or a lesson for schoolwork is that you have to process and remember a lot of information. It’s also helpful to know how to use the best note-taking apps, unless you have an amazing memory. This is true in both classes and boardrooms.

Feature	ClickUp Docs	Google Keep	Nifty	ColorNote	Squid
Primary Use	Collaborative documents and projects	Notes and lists	Collaborative projects and tasks	Notes and lists	Notes and annotations
Pricing	Freemium (limited features), Paid plans starting at $5/month	Free	Freemium (limited features), Paid plans starting at $4/month	Free	Free
Platforms	Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS	Web, Android, iOS	Web, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS	Android	Android
Offline Access	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Collaboration	Real-time collaboration with version history	Simple shared notes	Real-time collaboration with file sharing	No real-time collaboration	No real-time collaboration
Organization	Folders, tags, nested documents, workspaces	Tags, color coding	Projects, boards, lists, tasks	Folders, tags, color coding	Notebooks, tags
Features	Rich text editing, tables, images, file attachments, comments, mentions, integrations	Checklists, reminders, voice notes, drawings, web clippings	Task management, kanban boards, file sharing, chat, automation	Checklists, voice notes, images, web clippings	Handwritten notes, annotations on PDFs, text extraction

Best Free Note-taking Apps

It can be difficult to select a note-taking app that is suitable for your needs because there is a recent surge in the number of applications available on the market. For the purpose of making such a chore easier for you, we have compiled a list of the ten greatest note taking apps you may use.

ClickUp Docs

Feature	Description
Collaboration	Real-time collaboration on documents
Organization	Hierarchical document structure for easy management
Integrations	Seamless integration with ClickUp project management
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ClickUp Docs stands out as a flexible tool within the large environment of the ClickUp project management platform, based on my own experience. It’s not just a place to store papers and wikis; it’s a living, breathing place where teams can work together easily. The way it works with other ClickUp tools, like tasks, lists, and calendars, has been very helpful for me. It makes workflows easier and boosts productivity.

It’s amazing how many formatting options there are, from simple headings to adding ClickUp objects like tasks and lists directly to documents, which makes it easier for teams to work together.

Google Keep

Feature	Description
Note-Taking	Quick and simple note-taking functionality
Collaboration	Sharing and editing notes in real-time
Reminders	Setting reminders for important tasks

I have relied on Google Keep because of its user-friendliness and the fact that it is accessible across all of my devices. In addition to its fundamental capabilities, which include the creation of notes and lists, I have discovered that its interaction with other Google products, such as Calendar and Docs, is really simple and convenient.

As a result of the ease with which it is possible to set reminders and share notes with coworkers, it is an indispensable tool for anyone who is deeply involved in the Google ecosystem.

Nifty

Feature	Description
Project Management	Centralized platform for project planning
Collaboration	Team collaboration on tasks and projects
Timeline View	Visual representation of project timelines

On the other hand, Nifty has shown to be a really helpful tool for any collaborative endeavours that my team has undertaken. A sense of unity and efficiency is fostered by its emphasis on real-time collaboration, which, when combined with features such as task management and Kanban boards, contributes to the overall effect.

The functionality of this platform is further enhanced by integrations with well-known productivity tools like Slack, Zoom, and Google Drive. These integrations create a centralised center for the management of projects and the communication of teams.

ColorNote

Feature	Description
Color-Coded Notes	Organizing notes with color labels
Checklist	Creating to-do lists and checklists
Reminder	Setting reminders for notes

It has been demonstrated that ColorNote is a trustworthy companion. In the middle of the craziness that is my daily tasks, the fact that it is able to organise notes using a variety of colours provides a visual component to my workflow, which in turn helps me to remain organised.

The capability to make reminders and share notes ensures that contact with other people is carried out without any interruptions, making it an excellent alternative for individuals who place a high value on simplicity and functionality.

Squid

Feature	Description
Handwriting Notes	Creating notes with handwritten input
Note-Taking Tools	Various tools for drawing and writing
PDF Annotation	Annotating PDFs directly in the app

Even in the area of digital communication, Squid caters to individuals who feel more comfortable with the tactile feeling of handwritten notes. The user-friendly interface that Squid provides for handwritten notes and drawings strikes a chord with me since I am someone who values the artistic quality of pen and paper documents.

Text recognition, image importation, and annotation capabilities are some of the features that further expand the experience of taking notes, making it an appealing choice for persons who are creative and visual thinkers alike.

Criteria for Selecting the Best Free Note-taking Apps

There are a few important things you should think about when choosing the best free note-taking app to make sure it fits your needs. Here are some things to think about:

1. layout and Ease of Use: The app should have an easy-to-understand layout that lets you take notes, organise them, and quickly find what you need.
2. Cross-Platform Compatibility: Look for apps that work on the web, computer (Windows, macOS), and phone (iOS, Android). This way, you can view your notes from any device.
3. Set up your notes: The app should let you set up your notes in a variety of ways, such as using notebooks, groups, tags, or categories to keep them organised and simple to find.
4. Syncing and Backup: It should be able to sync reliably across devices and give you backup options to make sure you don’t lose any info.
5. Collaboration Features: If you want to work with other people, look for apps that let you edit, share, and talk in real time.
6. Note-Taking Features: Look for note-taking apps that have a variety of features, such as the ability to list things, format text, add images, music, and video, support handwriting, and let you add hyperlinks.
7. Search Function: The app should have a powerful search function that lets you find specific notes or content within notes fast.
8. Security and Privacy: Make sure the app has enough security features to keep your information safe, like encryption, passcode/biometric lock, and privacy settings.
9. Options for Customisation: Look for apps that let you change the options, themes, and interface to suit your tastes.
10. Offline Access: Your notes should be able to be viewed and changed even when you’re not connected to the internet.

Questions and Answers