Looking for the best note taking app that can make a huge difference in productivity, organization, and learning outcomes? With our list of best note taking app for students, we present you with specialty options like AI-powered summarization tools, flashcard creation, and PDF tools, so students can find the right solution to keep their notes neat, searchable, and synced across devices. Let’s get started!

#1 Notion – Best Note Taking App 

Rating: 4.8/5
Available on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
Downloads: 10M+
Subscription: Notion Plus – $8/month
Unique Feature: AI-powered note-taking tools with collaborative databases and custom tools

Pros:

• Versatile note-taking tool with excellent collaboration features
• Supports audio notes, code snippets, mind maps, and multimedia embedding
• Enables users to create notes with ease using templates and advanced features
• Powerful AI-powered summarization tools and technical features
• Organize notes into folders, databases, or project boards for student workflows
• Great for academic tasks, personal users, and professional planning
• Seamlessly integrates with Google Calendar and Google Docs for scheduling calendar events

Cons:

• Limited tools for handwritten notes and drawing tools
• No Apple Pencil or curve tool support – less ideal for visual notetakers
• Offline access requires prior setup and syncing

#2 Microsoft OneNote – Best Note Taking App

 Rating: 4.6/5
Available on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
Downloads: 100M+
Subscription: Free with Microsoft 365 (optional features with $6.99/month plan)
Unique Feature: Infinite canvas with drawing tools, PDF tools, and Math Assistant

Pros:

• Powerful handwriting applications with Apple Pencil and stylus support
• AI-powered note-taking tools include math conversion, Smart Lookup, and audio recordings
• Excellent for Medical students, law students, and STEM students
• Real time syncs across devices with cloud service and supports multiple file types
• Can add audio lectures, video tutorials, and annotate with markup tools
• Great for complex or simple note taking in class and organizing lectures

Cons:

• Tool interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming for beginners
• Lacks AI-powered flashcard generator for flashcard creation
• Some advanced AI capabilities are behind the Microsoft 365 paywall

#3 Apple Notes – Best Note Taking App

 Rating: 4.5/5
Available on: iOS, macOS, Apple Watch
Downloads: Pre-installed on Apple devices
Subscription: Free
Unique Feature: Deep integration with Apple Pencil and Apple Watch

Pros:

• Great for quick notes and digital note creation
• Supports simple note, handwritten notes with unlimited color options and layering options
• Integrates with Google Drive, Google Calendar, and iCloud
• Option to organize notes into folders with onboard organization tools
• Includes audio recording features and background colors customization

Cons:

• Only available within the real time Apple ecosystem – not cross-platform
• Limited collaborative features compared to Notion or OneNote
• Lacks comprehensive feature set for technical work and academic tools
• Apple Pencil might be expensive, but enhances the experience exponentially 

#4 Obsidian – Best Note Taking App

 Rating: 4.7/5
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Downloads: 1M+
Subscription: Catalyst License (One-time $25), Commercial: $50/year
Unique Feature: Markdown-based note-taking tool with graph view and local storage

Pros:

• Full control with offline access and notes into folders
• Powerful for academic tasks, technical features, and code snippets
• Supports plugins for AI-powered note-taking tools and flashcard creation
• Customizable with themes, hex codes, and specialty options

Cons:

• Learning curve for new users unfamiliar with Markdown
• Limited drawing tools, not ideal for handwriting applications
• No real-time collaboration or cloud service by default (optional via Obsidian Sync)

#5 Notesnook – Best Note Taking App

 Rating: 4.4/5
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web
Downloads: 100K+
Subscription: Notesnook Pro – $4.49/month
Unique Feature: End-to-end encryption with open-source app transparency

Pros:

• Note-taking app focused on user privacy with zero-tracking in real time
• Clean UI with tool interface tailored for simple note writing
• Supports audio notes, custom tools, PDF tools, and markup tools
• Great budget-friendly option with secure syncing and offline access

Cons:

• Limited advanced features for technical work and academic tools
• Fewer integrations compared to Google Docs or Notion
• No support for Apple Pencil, slippery glass, or handwriting applications

#6 Zoho Notebook – Best Note Taking App

 Rating: 4.3/5
Available on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
Downloads: 5M+
Subscription: Free, $1.99/month for Pro
Unique Feature: Card types for visual notetaking (Text, Audio, Checklist, Photo, Sketch, etc.)

Pros:

• Great for creating sticky notes, mind maps, and digital notebook cards
• Includes flashcard creation and AI-powered flashcard generator (Pro version)
• Organize notes using colors, notebooks, and custom tools
• Syncs with Google Drive and offers quick access to recent notes

Cons:

• Lacks collaborative features found in Notion or OneNote
• Less ideal for academic tools and technical features
• No AI-powered summarization tools or advanced AI capabilities

#7 SimpleNote – Best Note Taking App

 Rating: 4.2/5
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web
Downloads: 5M+
Subscription: Free
Unique Feature: Lightweight, distraction-free note-taking tool with real-time syncing

Pros:

• One of the excellent option among quick note apps – extremely fast and responsive for quick notes and basic writing
• Syncs seamlessly across devices for quick access
• Supports collaboration features like shared notes
• Ideal for users who value speed over advanced features

Cons:

• Only supports basic features, no drawing tools or handwriting applications
• No support for audio notes, file types, or PDF tools
• Lacks onboard organization tools like tags, folders, or custom layouts

#8 Evernote – Best Note Taking App

 Rating: 4.3/5
Available on: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
Downloads: 100M+
Subscription: Evernote Personal – $14.99/month
Unique Feature: Rich note-taking app with calendar events, file attachments, and audio recordings

Pros:

• Organize notes into folders, tag them, and set reminders
• Supports audio notes, video tutorials, images, PDFs, and more
• Excellent for active learning, academic tools, and ultimate task management
• Syncs with Google Calendar and offers real-time collaboration

Cons:

• Limited tools for drawing tools and handwritten notes
• Pricey subscription compared to budget-friendly options
• Recent changes have limited the free plan’s range of features

Must Read: Best Free Apps For iPad in 2025 

#9 Capacities – Best Note Taking App

 Rating: 4.5/5
Available on: Windows, macOS, Web
Downloads: Web-based platform
Subscription: Pro – $10/month
Standout feature: Networked notes with visual notetaker capabilities and object-based structure

Pros:

• Unique structure to link ideas and concepts visually, great for student workflows
• Organize content into objects (Notes, People, Projects) and apply custom properties
• Excellent for technical work, notes in class, concept of handwriting, and learning outcomes
• Allows custom tools like templates, calendar linking, and object filtering

Cons:

• Lacks drawing tools, handwriting applications, and audio recording features
• Not available on mobile devices (currently desktop & web only)
• Might be too structured for casual note-takers needing quick notes

#10 Joplin – Best Note Taking App

 Rating: 4.4/5
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Downloads: 1M+
Subscription: Joplin Cloud – $5.99/month
Standout feature: Fully open-source app with end-to-end encryption and Joplin Cloud

Pros:

• Excellent notetaking tool with Markdown support and full data ownership
• Great for technical features, code snippets, notes in class, and file types
• Supports plugins for AI-powered note-taking tools and flashcard creation
• Offline use supported; notes can sync via Dropbox, OneDrive, or Joplin Cloud

Cons:

• Lacks drawing tools, Apple Pencil support, and handwriting applications
• Less polished UI than commercial apps like Evernote or Notion
• Collaboration features are limited unless paired with Joplin Cloud
• No integration with Google Docs

#11 Google Keep – Best Note Taking App

 Rating: 4.5/5
Available on: Android, iOS, Web
Downloads: 1B+
Subscription: Google Keep is Free (uses Google Drive storage)
Standout feature: Sticky note-like interface with Google ecosystem integration

Pros:

• Google Keep is perfect for quick notes or notes in class, checklists, and setting location/time-based reminders
• Fully integrated with Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Google Docs
• Google Keep also allows adding audio notes, background colors, images, and labels
• Great for capturing ideas on the go and organizing notes with ease

Cons:

• With Google Keep, there are limited features for advanced AI capabilities, drawing tools, and academic tools
• No folders in Google Keep interface – organization is tag-based only
• Not ideal for long-form content, handwritten notes, or detailed technical documents

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