The best note app is the one you open every day. I switched three times in two years — Obsidian to Notion back to Obsidian — and learned that features matter less than friction and export ownership.
Apps compared in depth
Obsidian — local Markdown files you own forever; linking graph, plugins, offline-first. Steeper learning curve; mobile sync costs extra unless you use iCloud/Dropbox folder. Best for writers and developers.
Notion — databases, wikis, team collaboration, templates galore. Slow offline; export is clunky for large workspaces. Best when your team already lives there.
OneNote — free with Microsoft account, infinite canvas, excellent stylus support on Surface/iPad. Organisation gets messy at scale. Best for students with Office 365.
Apple Notes — zero friction on iPhone/Mac, encrypted, quick capture. Weak on Windows. Best for Apple-only users who want simplicity.
Google Keep — sticky notes, reminders, fast search. Not for long-form. Best for shopping lists and quick captures synced to Android.
Evernote / Bear / Simplenote — niche strengths; check pricing and export before committing.
Decision matrix
- Need offline + own your files → Obsidian or plain Markdown in folder.
- Team wiki + project boards → Notion.
- Handwritten lecture notes → OneNote or GoodNotes (iPad).
- Apple ecosystem only → Apple Notes.
Before you migrate
Export test: ten notes with images and links — see what breaks. Check paid tier limits on block count, file upload size, and history. Your notes outlive every app — plain text wins long term.
