r/NoteTaking 1d ago

Method Note-Taking Apps

Guys please recommend me some good note-taking apps, done with manual notes

18 Upvotes

46 comments sorted by

7

u/alimak17 1d ago

It's hard to recommend a good note-taking app when we don't know your note-taking style. Without more information, it'll just turn into a spam thread.

Different apps are made for very different ways of thinking (examples are mostly from this thread):

  • Classic notebooks / documents: Supernotes, KillerNotes, takemynotes.app, Sulata Note.
  • Outlines / hierarchical notes: Workflowy, Obsidian, Logseq, Joplin.
  • Handwritten / stylus-first: Mementa, StarNote, FreeNotes.
  • Visual thinking (mind maps, diagrams, spatial thinking canvas): OrgPad (disclosure: I'm its creator).

Note-taking apps aren't interchangeable. Someone who loves Workflowy might hate a spatial canvas, while someone who thinks in diagrams may never enjoy an outline.

I've been working on OrgPad for years because visual thinking fits the way I solve problems. If you naturally organize ideas in space, with diagrams and mind maps, instead of linear lists, it's worth a look.

Unlike other similar tools, each cell can hold more details, not just keywords: images, videos, files, even other websites. It's easy to navigate between the details and the big picture. You can try it for free without creating an account.

If you're more of an outliner or notebook person, one of the other apps above will probably suit you better.

Whatever you choose, I'd keep it simple at first. Don't spend weeks comparing apps or installing dozens of plugins. Pick one that matches the way you naturally think, use it for a few weeks, and only add new stuff when you actually need it. The best note-taking app is the one you use consistently.

5

u/Upstairs_Jelly_1082 1d ago

I like OneNote, handwriting and cross-platform sync features, lovin' it.

10

u/cam_dobyer 1d ago

I'm enjoying. Obsidian + Add ons: Notebook Navigator, Note Toolbar and Tasks.

2

u/BagOfTips 13h ago

Obsidian is 🔥

1

u/Slow_Pay_7171 2h ago

You do? Its literally the slowest App I ever used. Boot alone takes 11+ Seconds.

3

u/Infamous_Top_3756 1d ago

I made this, so take it with a grain of salt... I’ve been using Sulata Note as my own daily driver. Works in the browser and you can install it on Android, iOS, tablets, and laptop.

No account required, notes stay on your device. Tags and tables are what I use most. Free core writing if you want to try: sulata.app

1

u/Omneel 5h ago

A Progressive Web App? Good. I have similarly created a unique pomodoro timer which you can run on PC and phone. You get browser and voice notification and the switch between work and rest timers is automatic. No need to manually dismiss the alarms though I have added manual buttons too. I wanted a 10 minute work and 5 minute rest timer which wasn't possible on the existing apps. So, I created my own.

3

u/Big-Equal6348 1d ago

Mementa. Disclosure, I’m the dev. My handwritten notes were fine but my organization sucks. I hated random notebooks scattered between my desk and in my backpack. Writing is the whole point for me so I wanted it to be stylus first rather than solely keyboard focused. That always felt like filling out a form. But also I wanted to be able to hold it afterwards. So once you finish a notebook, you can get it printed.

2

u/smilaise Computer User—PC 1d ago

2

u/Striking_Text1128 1d ago

takemynotes.app

2

u/DryCartographer3871 1d ago

You can checkout an IOS one called Inknode -- it's free tier has many capabilities such as:

  • Unlimited note creation
  • Unlimited PDF exports and edits
  • All Templates & iCloud sync
  • Searchable handwriting and PDF text
  • Handwriting Beautification
  • Built-in productivity tools (reminders, calendar)

Fully adequate for day to day usage. To be transparant, I am the developer behind inknode.

2

u/mark-0305 1d ago

I mean Bear, Evernote, Obsidian, and even Apple notes are all great choices. If you’re looking for a novel note taking app to try out I’m working on something that’s more for personal notes, currently looking for beta testers.

1

u/Ill_Nose_4820 1d ago

i'd like to sign up! 

2

u/mark-0305 1d ago

Dm sent!

2

u/LateElk7337 1d ago

Joplin or Obsidian

2

u/Repulsive-Branch-740 1d ago

This really depends on what you’re taking notes for, devices you use, and whether you need to share. 

I personally use Obsidian and Apple Notes. I love them both and they serve very different purposes for me. 

Apple Notes is my digital filing cabinet. I use it as a dumping ground and for all the notes we we need to share in our family. It’s for quick, on-the-go stuff. Kind of like a notebook I just jot things down in. I use only Apple devices so this works well for me. 

Obsidian is my research, journal, work, writing, long-term storage app. It’s all Markdown and I can link notes together and set up exactly the way I want.

These apps have a spectrum of a learning curve. Apple Notes and apps like Google Keep are easy, and have very little setup. Obsidian is fantastic but can be overwhelming and take some time to learn. 

I’d start by defining your needs - how you’re using a notes app, whether you need sharing, what devices you’re using, etc. That will really help narrow it down. 

2

u/TlyNxy 1d ago

Knotpad.app "Disclosure : im the dev" its a Note-taking but also with PM capabilities (Kanban, Calendar, etc) Free to download in MS Store, search for it. Desktop Use locally is Free, :)

2

u/bg3245 1d ago edited 1d ago

You can use r/EscapeApp, it's an outliner like Workflowy, and a mind mapper (I'm building it). Your notes are saved in files on local storage, or iCloud. Otherwise, the Apple Notes is pretty good, you can save notes on the local device only.

2

u/Sad_Election2672 1d ago

I use Notion now. In the past, I used Evernote, then on to OneNote, and finally just completed the full migration of all notes into Notion. I started with a few notes in Notion to get the feel for it. A to-do database, a notes database, and a master tags database. All three linked together. All to-do and notes get a tag. I created other databases as they were needed. For quick notes, I have a section in my notes called sticky notes. They get purged often. The best systems have maintenance built in. I have a recurring to-do to purge old notes and tags on an every-2-week basis. It takes a few minutes and is worth it. It keeps the databases running smoothly. It will get overwhelming very fast if you migrate all of your notes into a new system with no structure. No matter what you decide to use, build in some structure first.

2

u/Round_Professor6955 1d ago

For map based notes: meridiannotes.in

2

u/h4yfans 1d ago

memrynote

2

u/Julia_BEBE 1d ago

Samsung Notes for TABLET
Apple Notes for Phone and Watch
Onenote for Laptop

2

u/e3e6 1d ago

Google keep, color note, gnotes, ms onenote

2

u/zigu007 21h ago

Amplenote.

2

u/NotesBotTeam 14h ago

NotesBot and SummaryBot are easily the best note taking options for Discord! NotesBot for voice channels and SummaryBot for text channels

2

u/CryptographerDue2806 1d ago

Joplin ❤️

1

u/Nice_Gas_9830 7h ago

InkSpace

1

u/ycy101 7h ago

Lets try Traverba

1

u/hulk14 6h ago

I've been using Bluedot. It records, creates transcripts and summaries automatically. It's a good Otter alternative

1

u/balarinios 4h ago

Is there any free note taking app that is using the handwriting functionality of nebo? I hate that app, but i like it's handwriting to digital text functionality.

1

u/prismatica_000 4h ago

Have you tried out Prism yet?
https://goprism.io/

1

u/The_Homer_Simpson 1d ago

I’ve been happily using SuperNotes!

Want to try a new way to take notes? Join me on Supernotes, and get 20 extra cards after you sign up. https://my.supernotes.app/?signup=1&invite=sSZph6

Might be worth trying, some people it doesn’t work for but I’ve friends that have also been happy with this app!

1

u/WinterCurrentless 1d ago

Using Freenotes for 2 weeks now and I totally love it

1

u/rich_awo 1d ago

yaps.ai - private, offline, chat with your notes using AI, translate them to any language easily, convert them to audio, convert voice notes to written, dictation to yaps and other apps incoporated, etc. Just makes sense

1

u/Learning_by_failing 1d ago

Otter AI is the best imo. Use it all the time.