Evernote alternative for Mac: Discover your perfect match

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. 

What is Evernote?

Before we jump into my take on some Evernote alternatives for 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.

Is there Evernote for Mac?

Yes, Evernote is available for Mac users, but it’s received a mix of frustration and disappointment, currently sitting at a 3.5-star rating. The most common issue? It doesn’t integrate well with macOS.

So why not think about some alternatives that really get the Mac vibe?

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

8 best Evernote alternatives for Mac

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: Brings your notes and calendar together

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 on Setapp together with 250+ other apps.

2. MarginNote: Marks up brilliant ideas 

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.

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 on Setapp together with 250+ other apps.

3. Studies: Turns any info into smart study notes

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/moтер on Setapp together with 250+ other apps.

4. Ulysses: Provides a distraction-free environment for writing

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 on Setapp together with 250+ other apps.

5. Apple Notes: Keeps notes simple 

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. 

In the last few years, Apple has added some cool features like tags, sharing, and a solid search tool. You can type notes, record audio with live transcripts, attach images, scan documents, and even draw or write by hand, giving you a lot of options to format your stuff. 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: Lets you collaborate on notes

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, with the main focus on personal use. But with Notion, collaboration is built into everything right from the start. So, if you’re looking to collaborate on notes, choose Notion. Although you can totally use it on your own if you want. Also, note that Notion is much more than just note-taking. With its help, 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.

Source: notion.com

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.

7. Obsidian: Helps you build relationships between ideas

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.

Source: obsidian.md

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: Creates aesthetic notes 

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).

Source: getupnote.com

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.

How to choose the best Evernote alternative

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. Many of the apps listed offer free trials, giving you the chance to explore their features without commitment. If you’re using Setapp, you can access these apps — NotePlan, MarginNote, Studies, Ulysses, Craft, and Paper — under one subscription for seven days, which is completely free. It’s a perfect way to find out which app feels right for you.