Best Note-Taking Applications for Mac

Check out the best note-taking apps for Mac, which offer a range of features and functions to meet different needs. With powerful tools for organization and smooth syncing between devices, these macOS apps boost productivity and make it easier to handle information.

banner-product

When they work on their computers, Mac users want quick and simple ways to write down and arrange their thoughts. It's not always easy to find the best note-taking app for Mac since there are loads of them.

Explore the best apps for note-taking on Mac to enhance your productivity and organize your thoughts effectively while working on your computer. Each one has its own set of features and user experience that are meant to make macOS more useful for work.

EdrawMind

note taking applications for mac

star icon Try Edrawmind App (iOS & Android)

Scan Now

secure download
qr code
Available on:
star icon 2.36K+ Reviews

Features

  • Easy-to-use layout: The easy-to-use layout of EdrawMind makes it simple to make, change, and move around in mind maps, which makes the whole experience enjoyable.
  • Different plan choices: EdrawMind users can select from tree, fishbone, and org chart layouts to suit their needs.
  • Configurable templates: EdrawMind has many templates that can be changed to help with planning projects, coming up with ideas, and making decisions. This makes it easy to start mind-mapping projects.

EdrawMind is flexible and easy-to-use note-taking software that helps people see their ideas, thoughts, and concepts in a clear and ordered way. EdrawMind's powerful features and easy-to-use interface make it possible for individuals and groups to successfully brainstorm, plan, and work together.

Reason to Choose

EdrawMind is great for people and groups who want to visualize their ideas and work together efficiently because it has an easy-to-use interface, flexible layout options, customizable templates, real-time teamwork, and support for multiple platforms.

Evernote

note taking applications for mac

Evernote has been a leader in note-taking apps for a long time, with a wide range of tools that are meant to help you be more productive and organized. People and teams looking for a reliable way to keep track of, organize, and share their ideas and information still choose Evernote. It's multi-platform syncing and powerful organizational tools make it a popular choice.

Features

  • Multi-platform synchronization: You can easily view your notes on your Mac, iOS, Windows, Android, or web browser, so you can go anywhere with your information.
  • Customizing rich text: Apply fonts, colors, images, and attachments to your notes to make visually appealing and useful papers.
  • Organizational tools: Utilize tags, notebooks, and searchable terms to group your notes into categories that make it simple to locate and handle your content.

Reason to Choose

Evernote has powerful synchronization and collaboration tools that make it perfect for teams and people who need to access their notes easily from a variety of devices and platforms.

Apple Notes

note taking applications for mac

With its direct integration into macOS and iOS, Apple Notes makes taking notes easy and seamless. From its writing tools to iCloud storage, Apple Notes is designed to be simple and effective. This makes it a good choice for people who are already using a lot of Apple products.

Features

  • Native integration: The native integration makes it easy to use and share across all of your Apple devices and macOS.
  • Other tools for marking up: In your notes, you can make notes on pictures, sketches, and PDFs, which will help you understand your thoughts better.
  • Stored safely: Notes stored safely in iCloud are backed up and can be accessed on all of your Apple devices.

Reason to Choose

Apple Notes is a great choice for people who are involved in the Apple ecosystem because it has an easy-to-use interface and works well with macOS and other Apple devices.

Bear

note taking applications for mac

Bear is different from other note-taking apps because it has a simple interface and focuses on writing without any distractions. Bear is great for writers, bloggers, and anyone else who wants to take notes in a way that is both simple and nice to look at. It supports Markdown and has many customization options.

Features

  • Support for Markdown: Writing in Markdown makes it easy to organize and style text, which makes creating content quick and easy.
  • Organization: Use tags, layered tags, and custom note links to group related notes together. This makes it easy to keep your thoughts and ideas in order.
  • Focus mode: Clear your workspace of unnecessary items to reduce distractions and focus fully on your writing.

Reason to Choose

Writers, bloggers, and anyone else who wants a simple and nice-looking note-taking app will love Bear's clean design, Markdown support, and focus mode.

Microsoft OneNote

note taking applications for mac

With its freeform canvas and tight interaction with the Microsoft Office suite, Microsoft OneNote is a one-of-a-kind way to take notes. OneNote is a flexible tool that can be used by students, workers, and teams alike. It lets you work together and sync between platforms.

Features

  • Composing: Compose notes, drawings, and newspaper clippings on a bendable canvas for artistic expression and organization.
  • Share notes: Participants can share notebooks and work together with others in real-time, which makes teamwork and sharing information easier.
  • Connectivity with Microsoft Office: Your notes can easily include Excel spreadsheets, Word papers, and PowerPoint presentations, so all of your work is in one place.

Reason to Choose

OneNote is a great choice for students, workers, and teams that use a lot of Microsoft products because it has a freeform canvas and works well with the Microsoft Office suite.

Notion

note taking applications for mac

It's become popular because Notion's environment is flexible and can be changed to fit users' needs. Users can organize their notes and projects with pages, databases, and Kanban boards. Notion is a tool that can be used for taking notes, managing projects, and working together. It has features like collaboration and integration with third-party apps.

Features

  • Organizing: Organize your notes, goals, and projects with pages, databases, and Kanban boards in a flexible workspace.
  • Capable team: The ability for team members to connect in real-time on pages makes communication and work better.
  • Modifiable templates: Utilize job management, project planning, and other ready-made templates to make your work more efficient.

Reason to Choose

Notion's flexibility and customization possibilities serve individuals and teams seeking a unified note-taking, project management, and communication platform. The notion is widely regarded as the best Mac app for note taking due to its versatility, collaboration features, and intuitive interface.

Simplenote

note taking applications for mac

As its name suggests, Simplenote makes taking notes as easy and quick as possible. Simplenote is a simple app that lets you take notes and view them easily. It has a simple interface and can sync instantly across all of your devices.

Features

  • Simple UI: Focus on your notes with a clutter-free design that highlights your information.
  • Instant sync: Access your notes across devices without manual saving, keeping them current.
  • Version history: View and restore prior notes for peace of mind.

Reason to Choose

Simplenote's simplicity and quick sync make it ideal for fast, efficient, and minimalist note-taking. Simplenote simplifies writing short notes or lengthy texts.

Quip

note taking applications for mac

Note-taking, messaging, document sharing, and task management are all built into Quip, which makes it a complete tool for teams to work together. With an emphasis on smooth communication and efficiency, Quip streamlines processes and encourages teamwork.

Features

  • Integrated messaging: Discuss and collaborate on notes with teammates in real-time in your workspace.
  • Sharing: Sharing documents, spreadsheets, and checklists with your notes keeps all essential information in one location.
  • Task management: Set deadlines, assign tasks, and track progress in notes for project coordination and accountability.

Reason to Choose

For teams seeking a complete communication platform, Quip's chat, document sharing, and task management functions are ideal. Quip keeps teams productive while brainstorming, organizing projects, and coordinating activities.

Google Keep

note taking applications for mac

Google Keep improves productivity with simple note-taking and seamless integration with Google Workspace. Google Keep lets users organize and manage activities using color-coded notes, reminders, and collaboration capabilities.

Features

  • Color-coded notes: Use customizable colors and labels to organize and prioritize notes by category or task.
  • A reminder and to-do: Create reminders and checklists to stay organized and avoid mistakes.
  • Real-time sharing: Real-time note-sharing and collaboration facilitate teamwork and idea-sharing.

Reason to Choose

Google Workspace users will like Google Keep's easy integration and user experience. Google Keep organizes personal and professional data.

Turtl

note taking applications for mac

End-to-end encryption protects your notes and data in Turtl's note-taking app. Markdown and cross-platform syncing make Turtl a secure and versatile note-taking option for privacy-conscious consumers.

Features

  • Protection: Built-in end-to-end encryption protects your notes and data.
  • Support markdown: Markdown syntax makes note-taking flexible and efficient.
  • Stay productive: Synchronize your notes on Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android devices to stay productive.

Reason to Choose

Turbo is a great note-taking app for keeping your data safe and private because it encrypts and protects your privacy. Safeguarding important info or keeping your digital workspace private with Turtl doesn't mean giving up functionality.

Conclusion

The best Mac note-taking apps have a lot of different features and functions so they can work with a lot of different tastes and workflows. There's a note-taking app on this list for everyone, whether you want something simple, secure, easy to use with other workplace tools, or able to work with others. Carefully think about your needs and pick the app that works best with your workflow. This will help you effectively record, organize, and share your thoughts on macOS.

EdrawMind logoEdrawMind Apps
Outline & Presentation Mode
Real-time collaboration
22 structures & 47 themes
5,000+ free templates & 750+ cliparts
EdrawMath formula
Generate mind maps, slides, and more with AI
edrawmax logoEdrawMind Online
Outline & Presentation Mode
Real-time collaboration
22 structures & 47 themes
5,000+ free templates & 750+ cliparts
LaTex formula
Generate mind maps, slides, and more with AI

David Miller
David Miller Dec 12, 24
Share article: