While there’s no shortage of free note-taking apps, syncing is where they get you. Most charge $5-15 monthly to access your notes on both your phone and computer. But, there are still plenty that sync everything perfectly without charging a cent—some you already know.
6
Obsidian
I know, but you can still sync for free
Obsidian’s pull is that it doesn’t lock your data in proprietary formats but stores it as plain Markdown files locally on your device. Beyond that, it’s a feature-rich note-taking app with some collaboration and task management features. You get unlimited notes, hundreds of community plugins, custom themes, and that mesmerizing graph view showing how your ideas connect.
Obsidian offers its own encrypted cloud sync service for $5/per month. Alternatively, you can set up a free sync using Google Drive and DriveSync for a DIY solution. I keep my Obsidian vault on my PC in a Google Drive folder. On Android, DriveSync mirrors that exact folder locally on my phone. The setup took me about 30 minutes, and it’s worked flawlessly since I made the switch earlier this year.
You can also use Syncthing if you prefer peer-to-peer syncing without any cloud service. Your notes sync directly between devices without touching anyone’s servers.
If you are coming from a more basic note-taking app, there’s a learning curve involved. With hundreds of plugins and settings, Obsidian can feel overwhelming at first. Mobile editing also feels clunkier than desktop, especially when working with complex notes or multiple plugins.
Download: Obsidian for Windows | Mac | Linux | Android | iOS
5
Logseq
Just like Obsidian, you can sync for free
Logseq differs from most advanced note-taking apps like Notion, Obsidian, or Anytype. Where Obsidian treats notes as documents, Logseq treats them as outlines. Every thought becomes a bullet point that you can nest infinitely deep. Child blocks automatically inherit tags from their parents, creating natural hierarchies without any manual organization.
Like Obsidian, Logseq’s paid sync costs $5 monthly, but the same free alternatives work here. Keep your graph folder in Google Drive on your computer, then use DriveSync to maintain a local copy on Android. Syncthing also works if you want to avoid cloud services entirely.
This app is perfect for students who annotate research papers, work in outlines, or heavily use PDFs and videos. The block-reference system makes it incredible for building arguments or connecting ideas across different sources. No other free app comes close to this level of integration for academic content.
Conversely, long-form writing feels awkward in Logseq’s block structure. If you’re writing articles or reports, the constant bullet points get in the way. But if you love outliners and inheritances, you won’t go wrong with Logseq.
Download: Logseq for Windows | Mac | Linux | Android | iOS
4
Standard Notes
Standard Notes is an excellent choice if you don’t need a complex note-taking system like Obsidian or Logseq, but you don’t want to lose out on the strong encryption features. It encrypts all your notes on your device before syncing, so even Standard Notes can’t read your content. This isn’t a premium feature; it’s just how the free version works.
I like the minimalist interface it offers without distracting sidebars, feature creep, and constant prompts to upgrade. A clean writing space and a reliable search that highlights matches across all your notes instantly. It also supports version history so that you don’t lose your content to an unintended change.
The built-in sync also works without needing a subscription for plain notes. Create an account, and your encrypted notes will appear on every device in no time, irrespective of the device you are using, including Linux and a web app, if you want to access your notes on a web browser.
There’s an important caveat to consider. The free version only handles plain text. If you need any formatting like making the text bold, italic, creating a list, or adding a table, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium plan starting at $63 /year.
Standard Notes is ideal for anyone handling sensitive information who values privacy above features or who just wants notes that sync without thinking about it. But if you are a student who wants to take notes with rich text formatting or a writer, you’ll certainly find it lacking.
Download: Standard Notes for Windows | Mac | Linux | Android | iOS
3
Simplenote
Sometimes you don’t need all the fancy features—you need distraction free environment to jot down your notes quickly in markdown format.If that’s the case, Simplenote might be the only note-taking app you need. No formatting, no folders, no attachments. Just instant sync across unlimited devices.
Tags are your only organizational tool, but they work surprisingly well. Tag notes with multiple labels, then filter by any combination. The search instantly scans everything, even with thousands of notes stored. It’s faster than most apps with fancy databases. It also supports version history, so your notes are safe even if you accidentally delete them.
Download: Simplenote for Windows | Mac | Linux | Android | iOS
2
Google Keep
Google Keep is a solid, quick note-taking app that works like a digital bulletin board that happens to sync perfectly. If you’re already using Gmail, Calendar, or Drive, Keep fits like it was always supposed to be there.
Unlike more barebone apps above, it supports some formatting. You can color-code notes by project, collaborate with others, pin important items to the top and once done, archive completed tasks without deleting them. Notes and their contents count towards the shared 15GB of free storage that comes with your Google account.
Keep syncs instantly without any fuss. Make a note on your phone, and it’s on your computer before you sit down. My favorite Keep feature is its location-based reminder. “Set a reminder for the grocery store,” and your phone buzzes when you walk through the door. Even better, get a notification to check your tire pressure next time you’re at a gas station. Voice notes are transcribed in real-time, which is incredible for capturing notes hands-free.
It lacks organization, so all your notes live in one giant grid, with no folders or hierarchy. The lack of formatting means it is strictly a quick note-taking app, not suitable for power users who require structure.
Download: Google Keep for Web | Android | iOS
1
Microsoft OneNote
OneNote has an unusual interface, but it packs more features than Google Keep without Obsidian’s complexity. While Microsoft positions it as part of Office, the free version includes most features—handwriting recognition, audio recording, web clipper, and OCR for images. Though, some premium features like Ink Replay and Math Assistant are only available to Office 365 subscribers.
Your notes sync through OneDrive using the 5GB that comes free with any Microsoft account and works reliably across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and the web.
OneNote looks like a real notebook. You create notebooks, add sections inside them, then put pages in each section. You can draw with a stylus, drop in PDFs and images, or record audio. The app can even read text inside your images to make them searchable.
Download: OneNote for Windows | Mac | Android | iOS
While I’ve leaned toward Obsidian for serious note-taking and Google Keep for quick thoughts, here’s what testing these apps really taught me: there’s no perfect app that works for everyone. What matters is finding what fits your needs. And now you have solid options that won’t cost you a dime.
