Best Note Taking Apps 2026 Compared — MiOffice vs Notion vs Keep

Choosing a note taking app in 2026 means weighing features, privacy, pricing, and ecosystem lock-in. Do you want the power of Notion but not the $10/month? The simplicity of Google Keep but not the privacy tradeoffs? The encryption of Standard Notes but with real-time collaboration?

We compared the six most popular note taking apps across 15 criteria to help you decide. Spoiler: the best note taking app depends on what you value most — but if privacy matters at all, the answer might surprise you.

The Contenders

• MiOffice Notes — Free, P2P encrypted, no account, browser-based, Yjs CRDTs for real-time collaboration.
• Notion — All-in-one workspace with databases, wikis, and project management. $10/mo for full features.
• Google Keep — Simple sticky-note style app tied to your Google account. Free.
• Evernote — The original note app, now $14.99/mo for full features. Web clipper and OCR search.
• Apple Notes — Built into Apple devices. Free, iCloud sync, decent formatting.
• Microsoft OneNote — Free with Microsoft account. Freeform canvas, handwriting support.

Feature Comparison Matrix

Detailed Breakdown by App

MiOffice Notes — Best for Privacy and Quick Collaboration

MiOffice Notes is the only note app on this list that stores nothing on a server. Your notes live in your browser's local storage. When you collaborate, data syncs peer-to-peer over WebRTC with end-to-end encryption. No account needed for anyone — creator or collaborator. The tradeoff: you lose cloud sync convenience. If you clear your browser data, notes are gone unless you have shared them to another device. Best for people who value privacy over cloud convenience, or who need quick throwaway collaboration without forcing others to create accounts.

Notion — Best for Teams and Knowledge Bases

Notion is a powerful workspace that combines notes, databases, project management, and wikis. It is the best choice for teams building a knowledge base. The free tier is generous for individuals but limited for teams. At $10/user/month, it is expensive for large organizations. AI features cost an additional $10/month. Privacy concern: all your data lives on Notion's servers with no E2E encryption option.

Google Keep — Best for Simple Sticky Notes

Google Keep is perfect for quick notes, grocery lists, and reminders. It lacks formatting, Markdown, collaboration editing, and any privacy. Everything is tied to your Google account and stored on Google servers. Best for people already deep in the Google ecosystem who need simple notes and reminders.

Evernote — Best Web Clipper, Worst Value

Evernote pioneered digital note taking but has priced itself out of relevance at $14.99/month. Its web clipper remains the best in the industry. OCR search across images and PDFs is excellent. But the free tier is severely limited (50 notes, 1 device), and cheaper or free alternatives now match most features.

Apple Notes — Best for Apple Ecosystem

Apple Notes is excellent if you live in the Apple ecosystem. iCloud sync, handwriting with Apple Pencil, optional encryption, and deep OS integration. The fatal flaw: no cross-platform support. If you ever use a Windows PC, Android phone, or Linux machine, your notes are inaccessible.

Microsoft OneNote — Best Freeform Canvas

OneNote's infinite canvas is unique — place text, images, and drawings anywhere on the page. Handwriting support is excellent with Surface devices. It is free with a Microsoft account. Downsides: no E2E encryption, complex interface, and OneDrive dependency for sync.

How to Choose

1. 1

   Define Your Priority

   Privacy? Use MiOffice Notes. Team knowledge base? Notion. Simple reminders? Google Keep. Web clipping? Evernote. Apple-only? Apple Notes. Freeform canvas? OneNote.

2. 2

   Consider Who You Collaborate With

   If your collaborators will not create accounts, MiOffice Notes is the only option. If everyone is on the same team with existing accounts, Notion or OneNote work well.

3. 3

   Try Before You Commit

   Test MiOffice Notes — it takes 2 seconds (no account). Compare it to your current app and decide what tradeoffs matter to you.

Frequently Asked Questions