Looking for the best note taking apps for students? Here’s an honest breakdown of the top apps, what they’re good at, and which one actually fits student life
1.Notion
Notion is probably the most talked-about note-taking app among students, and after using it for a while, it’s easy to see why. It’s not just a notes app — it’s more like a whole workspace. You can write lecture notes, plan assignments, track deadlines, and even manage group projects all in one place. At first, it honestly felt a bit overwhelming to me. There’s a lot going on, and if you open a blank page, you might not know where to start.
But once you get past that initial setup phase, Notion becomes really powerful. I liked using templates for class notes and weekly study plans, which saved me a ton of time. Everything syncs nicely across devices, so switching from phone to laptop feels seamless most of the time.
The free plan is good enough for most students, which is a big plus. Still, it does rely heavily on internet connection, and offline mode isn’t always great. Also, if you just want quick notes, it can feel like overkill. But if you like organizing your academic life in one system, Notion is hard to beat.
2.Microsoft OneNote
OneNote feels like the digital version of an old-school notebook, and that’s kind of why a lot of students like it. You get notebooks, sections, and pages, which makes organizing subjects feel very natural. I used it mainly for lecture notes, and it worked really well, especially when notes started piling up during exam season.
What really stands out is how flexible it is. You can type anywhere on the page, draw, highlight, add images, and even record audio. If you’re using a tablet or stylus, OneNote feels even better. Handwritten notes and diagrams feel smooth, and syncing across devices is mostly reliable.
The best part? It’s completely free. You don’t feel like features are locked behind a paywall, which is kinda rare these days. That said, the interface can feel messy sometimes. Pages can get cluttered fast if you don’t stay organized, and search isn’t always perfect.
Still, for a free app that works on Android, Windows, and web, OneNote is a solid, no-nonsense choice for students who want structure without paying extra
3.Evernote
Evernote has been around forever, and it still does some things really well. I mostly used it for research-heavy subjects, where I needed to save articles, PDFs, and random web pages. The web clipper is honestly one of the best features — you can save entire articles with one click, and it’s super useful for assignments.
The search is also very strong. Even inside images and scanned notes, Evernote somehow finds text, which feels kind of magic sometimes. Notes are easy to tag and organize, and syncing across devices is reliable.
That said, the free version is pretty limited now. You hit restrictions faster than you’d expect, especially if you use it daily. For some students, that might be frustrating. The interface also feels a little dated compared to newer apps.
Evernote is still a good choice if your notes involve a lot of reading and research, but for basic note-taking, there are cheaper (or free) options that do the job just fine.
4.Obsidian
Obsidian is very different from most note-taking apps, and honestly, it’s not for everyone. It’s built around linking notes together, which makes it great for deeper thinking and long-term learning. I used it mainly for subjects that required understanding connections, like theory-heavy courses.
Everything is stored locally, which I actually liked. It feels more private and secure, and you’re not forced into cloud sync unless you want it. The graph view is cool too — seeing how notes connect helps ideas stick better.
But yeah, there’s a learning curve. You’ll deal with Markdown, plugins, and settings, and that can scare off beginners. I messed things up a few times before getting comfortable.
If you’re a student who likes structure, systems, and long-term knowledge building, Obsidian is amazing. If you just want quick lecture notes, it might feel like too much work.
5.Google Keep
Google Keep is the simplest app on this list, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need. I used it mostly for quick notes, reminders, and random thoughts that I didn’t want to forget. It opens fast, syncs instantly, and works great on Android.
There’s no complex organization here. You get labels, colors, and checklists — that’s about it. But that simplicity makes it very easy to use. You don’t overthink where things go.
For long lecture notes or assignments, Keep isn’t ideal. Things get messy fast, and there’s no real structure. But for quick reminders like “revise chapter 3” or “assignment due Friday”, it’s perfect.
Think of Google Keep as a companion app, not your main note system. It does one thing, and it does it well
6.GoodNotes
GoodNotes is amazing if you use an iPad and a stylus. Writing notes by hand feels natural, almost like paper. I used it mostly for math and diagrams, and it worked beautifully. Writing equations and drawing graphs feels way better than typing.
You can organize notes into folders, annotate PDFs, and search handwritten text, which is impressive. The interface feels polished and student-friendly.
The downside is that it’s paid and locked into the Apple ecosystem. No Android support, which is a dealbreaker for many students. Also, if you don’t like handwriting, it won’t make much sense.
If you’re on iPad and like handwritten notes, GoodNotes is one of the best options out there. Just know what you’re signing up for.
7.Simplenote
Simplenote does exactly what the name says — it keeps things simple. No fancy layouts, no distractions, just text. I used it when I wanted to write without thinking too much about formatting.
It’s fast, lightweight, and syncs well across devices. Markdown support is there if you want it, but you don’t have to use it. Everything feels clean and minimal.
That simplicity can also be limiting. No folders, no advanced features, no media-heavy notes. It’s not great for complex subjects or research.
But if you’re the type who likes clean text notes and nothing extra, Simplenote feels refreshing. Sometimes less really is more.
Quick Pros & Cons Comparison
| App | Pros | Cons | Download/Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notion | • All-in-one workspace (notes, tasks, databases) • Great for organizing classes and projects • Syncs across devices | • Takes some time to learn • Offline mode isn’t perfect | https://www.notion.so/ |
| Microsoft OneNote | • Free and powerful • Notebook style structure feels natural • Excellent for handwritten/stylus notes | • Interface can feel cluttered • Search not always perfect | https://www.onenote.com/ |
| Evernote | • Best web clipping for research • Strong search (even inside images) • Works on all major platforms | • Free version limited • Interface feels dated | https://evernote.com/ |
| Obsidian | • Local storage & privacy • Links notes with graph view • Great for deep research | • Steeper learning curve • Needs plugins for max power | https://obsidian.md/ |
| Google Keep | • Very simple and fast • Great for quick notes and reminders • Free and syncs well | • Not ideal for long structured notes • Limited organization features | https://keep.google.com/ |
| GoodNotes | • Amazing handwriting/stylus support • Excellent for math/diagrams • Polished note organization | • Only on iPad/Mac • Paid app | https://www.goodnotes.com/ |
| Simplenote | • Super clean and minimal • Lightweight and fast • Syncs across devices | • No advanced features • Not ideal for research or rich media notes | https://simplenote.com/ |
Final verdict
At the end of the day, there’s no single “perfect” note-taking app for every student. It really depends on how you study and what kind of notes you actually take. If you want one place to manage everything, Notion is hard to beat. If you prefer something free and more traditional, OneNote still does the job really well. And if you’re into handwritten notes on a tablet, apps like GoodNotes just make more sense.
The most important thing is picking an app you’ll actually stick with. A simple app you use every day is better than a powerful one you open once and forget about. Try one or two from this list, see how they fit into your routine, and don’t overthink it too much. Good notes won’t magically fix bad study habits, but the right app can make studying feel a lot less messy