Alternatives to Google Keep
Google's lightweight notes and lists
Google Keep ranks #10 of 13 in Note-taking, with an Alt Score of 51. It is proprietary, free and available on Web, iOS, Android and Browser extension. 10 of 12 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Individuals and teams who want a fast, lightweight way to capture notes, lists, and reminders, especially existing Google/Workspace users who want it integrated with Gmail, Docs, and Calendar.
Color-coded notes, checklists, photos, voice memos, and drawings that sync across devices and work offline. Notes can carry time- or location-based reminders, be organized with labels and pins, and shared for real-time collaborative editing. Content exports directly into Google Docs, and Keep integrates as a side panel within other Workspace apps.
Create a note or list from the web app, mobile app, or Workspace side panel, then tag it with labels, colors, or reminders to organize and resurface it later. Notes sync instantly across signed-in devices, and shared notes update live for any collaborators added to them.
Why people leave Google Keep
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
How Google Keep compares with its alternatives, feature by feature.
| Note-taking checklist | Google Keep | Amplenote | Joplin | Evernote | Standard Notes | UpNote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Markdown support | ||||||
| Sync between devices (native) | ||||||
| Local-first storage | ||||||
| End-to-end encryption | ||||||
| Web clipper | ||||||
| Templates | ||||||
| Tags & notebooks | ||||||
| Handwriting & stylus | ||||||
| OCR of images | ||||||
| Version history | ||||||
| Data export formats | ||||||
| Offline access |
Every fact and feature listed for Google Keep is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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Pricing model Free verified 2026-07-11
Free
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-keep-notes-and-lists/id1029207872 -
License Proprietary verified 2026-07-11
© Google Inc.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-keep-notes-and-lists/id1029207872 -
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, Browser extension verified 2026-07-11
Keep works on your phone, tablet and computer. Everything you add to Keep syncs across your devices so your important stuff is always with you.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-keep-notes-and-lists/id1029207872 -
Status active verified 2026-07-11
Bug fixes and performance improvements
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-keep-notes-and-lists/id1029207872 -
Markdown support No verified 2026-07-11
To bold: Tap Bold
https://support.google.com/keep/answer/2888246?hl=en -
Sync between devices (native) Yes verified 2026-07-11
Keep works on your phone, tablet and computer. Everything you add to Keep syncs across your devices so your important stuff is always with you.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-keep-notes-and-lists/id1029207872 -
Local-first storage No verified 2026-07-11
When you upload a file of any type to Google Keep, like a photo to attach to a note or the audio of a voice note, it is stored securely in our world-class data centers.
https://support.google.com/keep/answer/10431250?hl=en -
End-to-end encryption No verified 2026-07-11
Data is encrypted in-transit and at-rest.
https://support.google.com/keep/answer/10431250?hl=en -
Web clipper Yes verified 2026-07-11
Take notes while you’re browsing the web with the Google Keep Chrome extension.
https://support.google.com/keep/answer/3003125?hl=en -
Tags & notebooks Partial verified 2026-07-11
Check the box next to each label you want to add.
https://support.google.com/keep/answer/6191044?hl=en -
Handwriting & stylus Partial verified 2026-07-11
You can add drawings as notes in Google Keep. Create drawings from scratch, add drawings to existing notes, or draw on top of images.
https://support.google.com/keep/answer/6395656?hl=en -
OCR of images Yes verified 2026-07-11
Grab the text from an image to help you quickly find that note again through search.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-keep-notes-and-lists/id1029207872 -
Data export formats Partial verified 2026-07-11
Note content (text, list items)
https://support.google.com/keep/answer/10017039?hl=en -
Offline access Yes verified 2026-07-11
If you choose to access these files offline, we store this info on your device.
https://support.google.com/keep/answer/10431250?hl=en
FAQ
Yes. Amplenote, Joplin and Evernote have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Joplin, Standard Notes and Notesnook — every license claim links its source.