The Best Evernote (Bending Spoons) Alternatives in 2026
People are leaving Evernote after its acquisition by Bending Spoons, citing feature abandonment, a sharply restricted free tier, and a general decline in quality and support. Longtime users want a note app that respects free users and keeps investing in the product.
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Notion
Visit site →An all-in-one workspace combining notes, databases, wikis, and project management in flexible, block-based pages. Popular with individuals and teams who want notes plus structure.
Pros
- +Generous free plan for personal use
- +Highly flexible: notes, databases, wikis, and tasks in one place
- +Strong cross-platform apps and web access
- +Large template and community ecosystem
Cons
- -Steeper learning curve than a simple note app
- -Can feel slow with very large workspaces
- -Offline support is limited compared to native apps
Obsidian
Visit site →A local-first, Markdown-based knowledge base that stores notes as plain text files on your own device. Favored by users who want privacy and long-term ownership of their data.
Pros
- +Free for personal use and stores notes locally as plain files
- +No vendor lock-in: notes are portable Markdown
- +Powerful linking and plugin ecosystem
- +Works fully offline
Cons
- -Sync across devices is a paid add-on or requires manual setup
- -Less polished for casual or non-technical users
- -Collaboration features are limited
Microsoft OneNote
Visit site →Microsoft's free-form digital notebook with handwriting, clipping, and deep Office integration. A strong fit for people already using Microsoft 365 or Windows.
Pros
- +Free to use with a Microsoft account
- +Flexible canvas with handwriting and drawing support
- +Tight integration with Microsoft 365 and Outlook
- +Good cross-platform availability
Cons
- -Organization can get messy in large notebooks
- -Best experience is tied to the Microsoft ecosystem
- -Search and tagging are weaker than dedicated note apps
Joplin
Visit site →An open-source, Markdown note and to-do app with end-to-end encryption and flexible sync options. A direct Evernote alternative that even supports importing Evernote exports.
Pros
- +Free and open source with no paywalled core features
- +End-to-end encryption available
- +Can import Evernote ENEX files directly
- +Choose your own sync target (cloud or self-hosted)
Cons
- -Interface is more utilitarian than commercial apps
- -Sync setup requires some configuration
- -Mobile apps lag the desktop in polish
Apple Notes
Visit site →Apple's built-in notes app with iCloud sync, included free on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Reliable and private for users already in the Apple ecosystem.
Pros
- +Free and pre-installed on Apple devices
- +Fast, reliable iCloud sync
- +Supports folders, tags, scanning, and sketches
- +End-to-end encryption option for locked notes
Cons
- -Limited support outside Apple devices
- -Fewer power-user features than Notion or Obsidian
- -Export options are basic
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FAQ
Can I move my existing Evernote notes to another app?
Yes. Evernote can export notebooks to ENEX files, and apps like Joplin and Notion offer Evernote importers. Test the import with a small notebook first, since complex formatting and attachments can occasionally need cleanup.
Which alternative is best if I am worried about privacy or future shutdowns?
Local-first apps like Obsidian and Joplin store your notes as plain files or with end-to-end encryption, so you keep your data even if the company changes hands. That ownership is the strongest protection against the kind of disruption Evernote users experienced.
Are there genuinely free options?
Yes. Obsidian and Joplin are free for personal use, Apple Notes and OneNote are free with an account, and Notion has a free personal plan. You do not need to pay to leave Evernote.
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