Apple Notes
📝 Docs & PlanningAlready on your iPhone. Surprisingly powerful with scanning, folders, tags, and collaboration. The note app you forgot was great.
Our Take
The notes app you already have — and it's surprisingly capable. Apple Notes quietly evolved from a basic notepad into something with tables, checklists, document scanning, folders, tags, collaboration, and even Math Notes that solve equations. It's free, it syncs everywhere via iCloud, and for most people, it's genuinely all you need.
What we like
- Already installed on every Apple device — zero setup, zero cost, instant sync
- Surprisingly feature-rich: tables, checklists, document scanning, PDF annotation, drawings
- Quick Notes from any app (swipe from corner) is faster than opening a dedicated notes app
- Lock individual notes with biometrics for sensitive information
Where it falls short
- Apple-only — no web app, no Android, no Windows (unless you use iCloud.com grudgingly)
- No Markdown support — formatting is rich text only, which frustrates power users
- Limited organisation — folders and tags work but lack the depth of Notion or Obsidian
Verdict
Before you install another notes app, honestly evaluate whether Apple Notes already does what you need. For most founders, it does — quick capture, checklists, document scanning, and iCloud sync cover 80% of note-taking needs. Only upgrade to Notion, Obsidian, or Bear if you've genuinely hit a wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apple Notes free?
Yes, Apple Notes is completely free to use.
What are the best Apple Notes alternatives?
Popular alternatives to Apple Notes in the Docs & Planning category include Notion, Linear, Coda, Obsidian, Basecamp. Each has different strengths depending on your specific needs and budget.
How much does Apple Notes cost?
Free. Included with every Apple device. iCloud storage (for sync) starts free at 5GB, 50GB for $0.99/month.
Is Apple Notes worth it in 2026?
Before you install another notes app, honestly evaluate whether Apple Notes already does what you need. For most founders, it does — quick capture, checklists, document scanning, and iCloud sync cover 80% of note-taking needs. Only upgrade to Notion, Obsidian, or Bear if you've genuinely hit a wall.
The Docs & Planning Landscape
There are 37 tools in the Docs & Planning category on Fewer Tools. Our top pick is Notion. The right choice depends on your stage, budget, and specific needs.
The everything workspace. Docs, wikis, databases, projects. Your second brain's second brain.
Issue tracking that doesn't suck. Keyboard-first, blazing fast, beautiful. Jira is shaking.
Docs that work like apps. Tables, automations, buttons. Notion on steroids for power users.
Local-first markdown notes with a graph view. Your brain, mapped. Plugin ecosystem is bonkers.
Using Apple Notes?
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