Best Evernote alternatives for Mac (2026): 8 note-taking apps compared

In the quest for the perfect note-taking app, Evernote has often been hailed as the gold standard. But let's face it: sometimes, even the most beloved tools need a fresh alternative.

This time, I tested a couple of Evernote for Mac alternatives. So, if you want to explore some potential stars on the horizon that could replace Evernote on macOS, keep reading.

Does Evernote work well on Mac? (Evernote for Mac vs macOS expectations)

Yes, Evernote is available for Mac users, but it's received mixed reviews, currently sitting at a 3.5-star rating. The most common issue? It doesn't integrate well with macOS.

Below is a lineup of Evernote alternatives for macOS. Each app has its own unique charm and "superpowers" to help you tackle note-taking like a pro. I prepared a table for a quick overview:

Evernote alternatives	Why choose it?
NotePlan	Perfect for organizing notes and syncing with your calendar
MarginNote	Ideal for detailed PDF annotations and studying
Studies	Great for creating flashcards and efficient learning
Ulysses	A writer's paradise with a clean, focused environment
Apple Notes	Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, ready for quick notes
Notion	Highly customizable workspace for personal or team projects
Obsidian	Great for connecting your notes with a knowledge graph for deep insights
UpNote	Minimalist design that focuses on beauty and simplicity

Quick comparison table: Evernote vs top Mac alternatives (features & pricing)

Before we get into the details, here's a quick look at the different options:

App	Best For	Offline	Web Clipper	Collaboration	Export Options	Setapp	Pricing (Standalone)
NotePlan	Daily planning + calendar	✅	❌	✅ (CloudKit)	Markdown, PDF	✅	From $9.99/mo +tax via Setapp
MarginNote	PDF study + Mind map	✅	❌	❌	PDF, Evernote, Anki, Mindmap	✅	From $9.99/mo +tax via Setapp
Studies	Flashcards + Exam prep	✅	❌	❌	CSV, TSV, PDF, Archive	✅	From $9.99/mo +tax via Setapp
Ulysses	Long-form writing	✅	❌	❌	PDF, DOCX, ePub, HTML, Blog	✅	From $9.99/mo +tax via Setapp
Apple Notes	Simple notes	✅	✅	✅	PDF, Markdown (New*), Pages	❌	Free
Notion	Collaboration & organization	⚠️ (Sync)	✅	✅	PDF, Markdown, CSV, HTML	❌	Free, from $10/mo per user
Obsidian	Personal knowledge base	✅	✅	✅ (Paid Sync)	Markdown, PDF, JSON	❌	Free, from $5/mo
UpNote	Cross-platform writing	✅	✅	❌	HTML, PDF, Markdown, Text	❌	$1.99/mo or $39.99 lifetime

If you used to clip and save full web articles in Evernote, this article summarizer assistant is a useful habit to build into your new workflow. Paste the URL or text, get a summary, and drop it into your notes. I find I actually reference saved notes more often when they're concise rather than a full-page dump.

8 best Evernote alternatives for Mac (Free & paid options)

Alright, let's get cozy and chat about these Evernote alternatives. Whether you're looking for something sleek, powerful, or simply different from Evernote, there's an app here that could change the game for you.

1. NotePlan — Best Evernote alternative for daily planning (Calendar + tasks + notes)

Best for: Combining notes and calendar tasks in one place

Platforms: Mac / iOS 

So, let's kick things off with NotePlan. If you're someone who thrives on structure and organization, this app will feel like a breath of fresh air. Imagine merging your notes with your calendar — sounds dreamy, right? With NotePlan, you can create notes and sync them with your daily agenda. What I liked the most was that NotePlan created backlinks between notes and versatile search filters, so you could be sure nothing was ever lost.

Pros:

• The integrated calendar syncs your tasks and notes so you can keep everything in one place.
• It helps you keep things tidy with folders and subfolders, turning all that mess into something organized.

Cons:

• Formatting is a bit limited compared to Evernote.

Price: $9.99/month + tax, along with 250+ apps for almost any task.

2. MarginNote — Best for PDF annotation, studying, and turning highlights into knowledge

Best for: Students and researchers working heavily with PDFs and web articles 

Platforms: Mac / iOS

Next up is MarginNote, which is a dream for anyone studying or doing research. This app is like a library assistant that marks up every brilliant idea for you. When you highlight PDFs or web articles, MarginNote makes it easy to annotate and organize your thoughts right where you read them.

You can build mind maps from your highlights, create flashcards from your notes, and share your findings with your team. It even lets you send notes to Evernote, which can be helpful when you are transitioning between the two.

Pros:

• The powerful annotation tools allow you to highlight and make notes directly on your text.
• The app supports mind mapping, which is perfect for visual learners who thrive on connections.

Cons:

• The interface can feel a little overwhelming at first, and it definitely takes some time to get used to.

Price: $9.99/month + tax, along with 250+ apps for almost any task.

Used Evernote for research? MarginNote annotates PDFs, builds mind maps, and creates flashcards — all in one. Highlight PDFs, connect ideas visually, and even export notes back to Evernote during your migration. Available in Setapp. Try MarginNote Free.

3. Studies — Best Evernote alternative for flashcards and exam prep

Best for: Students who want to turn notes into active study material

Platforms: Mac / iOS 

Now, let's talk about Studies, the app that might just take the stress out of learning. If you prefer flashcards to traditional notes or find studying a bit too monotonous, Studies spices things up. With its help, you can easily turn any information you have to learn into smart study notes. Typically, study notes are like classical flashcards but more robust. The best part? A note can consist of an unlimited number of sides and can contain not only text and pictures but also audio or video.

Pros:

• Offers customizable flashcards tailored to how you learn best.
• Provides study reminders and gamifies the learning process, which can make it feel less like work and more like fun.

Cons:

• It's primarily geared toward students, so if your note-taking needs are broader, it might not be the one for you.

Price: $9.99/month + tax, along with 250+ apps for almost any task.

4. Ulysses — Best for writers who want distraction-free Markdown notes

Best for: Writers and creatives who want a clean, focused environment

Platforms: Mac / iOS 

This one is my personal favorite. With its clean interface, Ulysses lets you focus on writing. When you need it, though, the app has Markdown formatting options, spell check, word count, shortcuts, and more.

When you're done writing, Ulysses lets you export your notes in a variety of formats or publish directly to Medium or WordPress.

Pros:

• Offers a distraction-free writing environment with an elegant interface, perfect for getting in the zone.
• Supports Markdown.

Cons:

• It's targeted more toward long-form writing and might lack some features you'd expect for quick note-taking.

Price: $9.99/month + tax, along with 250+ apps for almost any task.

If you write in Evernote, Ulysses does it better — cleaner, faster, with direct publishing built in. Distraction-free Markdown writing, iCloud sync, and one-click export to WordPress, Medium, PDF, or ePub. Try Ulysses Free.

Check out more interesting reads on note-taking:

• The best note-taking apps for Mac with AI options available
• How to write minutes of meetings and take better meeting notes

5. Apple Notes — Best free Evernote alternative for Apple ecosystem users

Best for: Apple users who want a free, no-frills notes app 

Platforms: Mac / iOS 

If you're firmly rooted in the Apple ecosystem, you don't have to look far for a good note-taking app. Apple Notes is a decent option.

Apple has steadily improved Notes with tags, sharing, audio recording with transcripts, document scanning, and Markdown export in recent updates. It syncs effortlessly across Apple devices and handles quick ideas well, though it lacks some advanced organization of dedicated apps.

It can also handle math problems. Plus, Apple Intelligence can whip up images and help you rephrase text, although the AI isn't as robust as in some other note-taking apps.

Pros:

• Flawless integration with other Apple devices, syncing notes in seconds.
• It's entirely free and easy to use for quick jotting down of ideas.

Cons:

• Lacks some of the advanced features and organization options found in other apps.

Price: Free.

6. Notion — Best Evernote alternative for collaboration and shared workspaces

Best for: Teams and individuals who need a flexible workspace beyond basic note-taking 

Platforms: Mac / Windows / Web / iOS / Android 

Let's explore Notion, a wildly popular choice that is taking the productivity world by storm. It's like a chameleon, adapting to whatever you need — be it note-taking, project management, or collaborative work.

I want to emphasize that so far, the apps we've checked out are mostly about taking notes for yourself. But with Notion, collaboration is built into everything right from the start. However, you can totally use it on your own if you want. Notion is much more than just note-taking — you can create pages with all sorts of content blocks: text, tables, calendars, and more. The app can be used for project management, habit tracking, and even website building.

Pros:

• Incredible customization options let you design your workspace exactly how you like it.
• Combines notes, databases, and tasks all in one place.

Cons:

• The versatility can be overwhelming at first; don't be surprised if it feels like a mini-project to set up.

Price: Free or from $10/month per member.

Read also:

• Stickies for Mac
• Share notes on Mac
• Best note-taking app for iPad
• The best to-do list app for Mac

7. Obsidian — Best local-first Evernote alternative for linked notes and knowledge graphs

Best for: Power users who value privacy and linked note structures.

Platforms: Mac / Windows / Linux / iOS / Android

The next Evernote equivalent for Mac on our list is Obsidian, the app that's all about connections. If you're someone who loves to see the relationships between your ideas, this might be your perfect match. Rather than having notes simply stored in folders, you can link them directly together. This is fantastic for research or when you're trying to develop a large concept.

Pros:

• The link feature lets you create connections between notes, turning your thoughts into a complex web of ideas.
• Your notes are stored locally, ensuring privacy and easy access without needing the internet.

Cons:

• The interface isn't as intuitive as some other options, which might require a little patience to master.

Price: Free or from $5 per member/month.

8. UpNote — Best simple, beautiful Evernote alternative (minimalist notes)

Best for: Users who want a clean, affordable Evernote replacement

Platforms: Mac / Windows / Linux / iOS / Android 

Finally, let's chat about UpNote, which lives up to its name by offering a clean and beautiful interface for note-taking. UpNote does not have as many features as Evernote, and it lets you focus on your notes and nothing else. I'd say if aesthetics matter to you, this app combines style with functionality beautifully. If you need something more complicated with more robust features, choose something else from the list (NotePlan, for example).

Pros:

• Minimalist design that focuses on the ease of writing and organization, making each note feel special.
• Supports Markdown formatting, allowing for stylish customization without complexity.

Cons:

• It may not have as many advanced features as some others, which could leave power users wanting more.

Price: $1.99/month or $39.99 lifetime.

Best free Evernote alternatives (Mac + cross-platform)

Sometimes you just want an app without adding to your subscription list, and that's totally fair. Here's a look at some reliable free options.

• Apple Notes: It's already sitting on your Mac and costs nothing. Apple has significantly improved it over the years, and it works with tags, shared notes, document scanning, and even basic math. Plus, it's also on your iPhone and syncs seamlessly.
• Obsidian: It's free for personal use, and it stores everything as plain Markdown files on your Mac. Your notes stay fully portable.
• Notion: It has a commendable free tier for individuals. It works well for personal note-taking and organization.

If you already have Setapp, you can also install and test NotePlan and MarginNote without extra payments.

Is Evernote being discontinued?

No, Evernote isn't being discontinued.

The discontinuation stories are related to older "legacy" desktop clients that were decommissioned after Evernote was acquired by a new company (Bending Spoons) in 2023. The pricing changed, some features were adjusted, and some users just decided it was a good moment to move on.

How to switch from Evernote on Mac (export, import, and migration tips)

If you've identified an Evernote alternative, there's a bit of prep you need to do to make the transition easier.

How to export Evernote notebooks (ENEX) and what may break

Evernote exports in ENEX format, which is its own XML flavour. There's also an HTML option, but it strips down everything. Just stick to the former as most apps support it.

To get your notes ready for another app:

1. Open the Evernote app on Mac.
2. Select a notebook or specific notes.
3. Right-click > Export...
4. Select the ENEX format.
5. Choose the attributes you'd like to export with your notes (e.g., tags, created date, author).
6. Click Export.

The file will be saved to your computer's desktop, and you can import it into another app. Most of your text, embedded images, and basic formatting will stay intact. However, your internal note links, encrypted text, and reminders may not survive the trip.

How to choose a replacement if you rely on web clipping and OCR

Web clipping is super useful as you can easily save content from a webpage directly. If this is a feature you heavily rely on, the best Evernote alternatives with web clipping are UpNote, Notion, and Obsidian. Apple Notes also supports web clipping through Safari.

When it comes to OCR, the options are a bit limited — only Obsidian supports OCR through community-built plugins. If you work a lot with scanned PDFs that need OCR, the best way to handle them is to use Prizmo (available on Setapp). It's a dedicated text recognition tool that quickly and accurately converts PDFs to editable text. It allows you to correct mistakes and automatically polishes scanned PDFs to make them clearer.

Which Evernote alternative is best for you? (by use case)

Everyone uses Evernote differently, so it only makes sense to say that the best Evernote alternative depends on what you are actually doing with it.

For Apple-only users

The best starting place is always Apple Notes, as it's already on your Mac and iPhone. It's actually quite good for everyday note-taking. But if you need more structure for work-related notes and to-do lists, NotePlan is the natural step forward. It feels native to the ecosystem and also has a mobile companion that syncs via iCloud.

For students and researchers (PDF-heavy)

MarginNote is the most suitable Evernote alternative for students and researchers. It lets you annotate directly on PDFs, and you can easily convert your highlights into mind maps or build flashcards from your notes.

For writers (long-form and publishing)

Ulysses is the clear winner for long-form writing, as it gives you the best canvas for laying down your ideas. It's super clean but still structured, and it offers direct publishing to Medium and WordPress.

For teams (real-time collaboration)

Notion is a clear winner for teams as it goes way beyond note-taking. It offers collaboration and organization with shared databases, project boards, wikis, and the lot.

For privacy and local-first workflows

Obsidian is the go-to if you are more focused on privacy. First, it's free and open-source. Second, everything lives on your machine as plain Markdown files. There's no cloud or even subscription involved, so your data isn't uploaded.

What is Evernote (And why people are switching on Mac)?

Let's quickly recap what Evernote is all about.

Evernote is an app that allows you to take notes during meetings, lectures, and while reading web pages or books. You can do many things with its help. For example, create lists, manage tasks, plan meals, reflect on your day, and develop project plans using the app's themed templates.

Many Mac users have started looking for alternatives after Bending Spoons' ownership changes brought multiple pricing updates and feature adjustments, prompting many to explore fresher options that better fit macOS workflows.

How to choose the best Evernote alternative for your workflow (Mac checklist)

Now that you've seen all eight apps, let's wrap things up and help you understand what you truly need in a note-taking app. The right choice will depend on your personal preferences and how you plan to use the app:

• As a first step, identify your preferences. Start by thinking about what features matter most to you. Do you want a simple, clean interface or a complex app with robust capabilities? Knowing your style will help you narrow down your options.
• Different apps come with different price tags. Take some time to compare subscription costs and see what fits within your budget. Some apps may offer free versions, while others may require a monthly or yearly payment.
• Finally, utilize free trials. Six Evernote alternatives. One subscription. Seven days free to find your fit. NotePlan, Ulysses, MarginNote, Studies, Craft, and Paper are all in Setapp — test them all before you decide. 250+ Mac apps, $9.99/mo + tax. Get 250+ Mac Apps Free.

Already know which app you want? Browse Setapp Marketplace for standalone options.

FAQ: Evernote alternatives, pricing, and whether Evernote is being discontinued

Is there a better alternative to Evernote? 

Yes, there are better alternatives, although the choice comes down to how you use Evernote. NotePlan is a great option if you want a work-related note-taking app that integrates cleanly with your calendar. Apple Notes is simple, free, and effective for everyday notes. Notion is a more advanced option if you want to collaborate with others.

Why did Evernote fail? 

Evernote hasn't really failed, but some people jumped ship after ownership changes that came with pricing and feature updates. Decommissioning of legacy apps likely urged others to move on.

Is Evernote going to be discontinued? 

No, Evernote is not going to be discontinued. The new ownership is still actively maintaining and updating the app. Only legacy desktop clients were shut down.

What is the absolute best note-taking app?

 The absolute best note-taking app depends on the use case. If you want something simple and free, Apple Notes is great for daily note-taking. For work-related notes and calendar syncing across iOS and macOS, NotePlan is the best option. If you want to collaborate with others, Notion is the clear winner, while Obsidian leads in privacy.

What's the best free Evernote alternative for Mac? 

Apple Notes is the easiest free option on Mac. If you want a more power-user approach, Obsidian can be free for personal use and keeps notes locally. If you already have Setapp, NotePlan, and MarginNote are both included.

Which Evernote alternative has the best web clipper? 

Notion has the best web clipper as it allows you to save from the web on Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. UpNote is a solid alternative as it also supports all three browsers.

Can I export my Evernote notes and keep tags and attachments? 

You can export via ENEX, but results vary by app — tags, formatting, and some attachments may not transfer perfectly, so test with a small notebook first.

Does Apple have an Evernote equivalent?

 Yes, Apple has an Evernote equivalent. If you want something with more robust features, try NotePlan. With NotePlan, you can create notes and sync them with your daily agenda.

Is Evernote better than Apple Notes?

 Whether Evernote is better than Apple Notes depends on your needs. Evernote offers more features, while Apple Notes is simpler and integrates better with Apple devices.