You can export each note individually to separate PDF files, but that’s laborious. There’s no native version of Apple Notes for these devices, so you’re stuck using the web version instead (which is usable, but a far cry from a native app).Īpple Notes also provides little in the way of export options, which means it’s a bit difficult to get things out of the ecosystem once you’ve used it for a while. This is worth considering if you need a note-taking solution for platforms like Windows or Android. You can only sync via iCloud, and keeping your Apple gadgets up to date with the latest version of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS is integral to keeping Notes working as it should.Īpple Notes is also a very Apple-centric platform. There’s no dictation feature as per OneNote, nor is there the deep integration with other platforms that Evernote provides. If you need a serious note-taking solution like OneNote or Evernote, Apple Notes might not be enough. RELATED: How to Copy Text From a Picture on iPhone Things to Consider Before Switching You can also convert your handwriting to text thanks to the same OCR engine. If you are using the app on one of Apple’s tablets you can expect full support for handwriting and other scribblings with your Apple Pencil too. PDF and image attachments include support for OCR (optical character recognition) so you can find text in images by searching as you would any other note. There’s also deep integration with Apple’s Spotlight search on Mac, iOS, and iPadOS. You get more flexibility and features than you do with a minimalist solution like Simplenote. It’s also a lot faster and generally more pleasant to use than Evernote (which still lacks a native Apple Silicon version in November 2021). The app stops short of the power-user approach taken by OneNote (which is excellent, and also free to use). You can format text, create checklists, draw tables, and scribble or highlight using your finger or stylus.

There’s support for file attachments, embeds for media like images and maps, note sharing and collaboration, and some security features to keep your Notes hidden from prying eyes. Notes is a simple app but it doesn’t skimp on the features most users would use daily.

Free notes app across devices