Best Evernote Alternatives
Without Subscription
A note-taking and organization app with web clipping and document scanning. But its subscription pricing makes many users look for one-time purchase or open-source alternatives.
Evernote was the pioneer of digital note-taking, but at $20.83/month for the Professional plan, it has become one of the most expensive note-taking apps available. The free tier has been severely limited, pushing users to alternatives. Obsidian stores everything as local Markdown files with powerful linking and plugin ecosystem. Joplin is open-source with end-to-end encryption and sync via Dropbox, OneDrive, or self-hosted. Notion offers a different paradigm with databases and blocks. For users who valued Evernote's web clipper, Joplin has a similar browser extension. The note-taking space has evolved dramatically — Evernote's early lead has been eroded by tools that are faster, more private, and free.
Why People Look for Evernote Alternatives
Paying $20.83/month for Evernote adds up to $249.96/year and $749.88 over three years. Many users search for alternatives because:
- -Note-taking
- -Web clipping
- -Document scanning
- -Task management
Quick Recommendation
Cost Comparison
Visit Evernote websiteMonthly
$20.83
Yearly
$249.96
3-Year Cost
$749.88
Alternative
Free
Cost Over Time
Comparison Table
Free / Open Source
| Tool | Match | Pricing | Platform | Offline | OSS | Ownership | Migration | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joplin Best free alternative | 75% | Open Source | WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid | ✓ | ✓ | Full ownership | Easy |
Best free alternative
Freemium
| Tool | Match | Pricing | Platform | Offline | OSS | Ownership | Migration | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Obsidian Best overall alternative | 70% | Freemium· Free, optional $50/year commercial license | WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid | ✓ | — | Full ownership | Medium | |
Standard Notes Best for privacy | 55% | Freemium· Free basic, $90/year extended | WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidWeb | ✓ | ✓ | Full ownership | Medium |
Best overall alternative
Best for privacy
Key Features to Compare When Choosing a Evernote Alternative
- 1Note-taking with rich text and Markdown
- 2Notebook and tag organization
- 3Web clipper
- 4Search across all notes
- 5Cross-platform sync
- 6Offline access
- 7End-to-end encryption
- 8Task management
Detailed Alternatives
Best overall alternative
A powerful knowledge base that works on local Markdown files.
Editor's Note
Obsidian is a powerful alternative for note-taking, though web clipping requires third-party tools.
What you gain
- +Local-first storage
- +Markdown files
- +Powerful linking
- +No subscription
What you lose
- −Web clipping
- −Document scanning
- −Mobile app features
Joplin
75% MatchBest free alternative
An open-source note-taking and to-do app with synchronization capabilities.
Editor's Note
Joplin can import Evernote notes directly, making migration easier.
What you gain
- +Free and open source
- +End-to-end encryption
- +Evernote import
- +Multiple sync options
What you lose
- −Document scanning
- −Some formatting options
- −Mobile app polish
Standard Notes
55% MatchBest for privacy
A private, encrypted notes app with a focus on simplicity and longevity.
Editor's Note
Standard Notes prioritizes privacy and longevity over features.
What you gain
- +End-to-end encrypted
- +Open source
- +100-year durability goal
What you lose
- −Rich formatting
- −Web clipping
- −Document scanning
Who Should Switch?
✓Good candidates for switching
✗Should keep using Evernote
How to Switch from Evernote: Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Export your Evernote notebooks — use ENEX format from Evernote's export feature
- 2Choose your target — Obsidian for linked notes, Joplin for Evernote-like experience
- 3Import your data — Joplin imports ENEX files directly; Obsidian needs a conversion step
- 4Recreate your notebook structure — set up folders and tags in the new tool
- 5Test the web clipper — Joplin's clipper handles most web clipping needs
- 6Set up sync — Obsidian uses iCloud/local, Joplin syncs via cloud storage
Evernote's core value — capturing and organizing notes — has been commoditized. Free tools like Joplin and Obsidian do the same thing with better privacy and performance. The web clipper, once unique, now exists in multiple free alternatives.
Community Recommendations
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Evernote?
Joplin is the closest free alternative with a similar feature set — notebooks, tags, web clipper, and sync. Obsidian is excellent for linked notes and knowledge management. Both are open-source.
Can I import my Evernote data into Obsidian?
Yes. Export from Evernote as ENEX, then use the Obsidian Importer plugin or a third-party converter. Notes convert to Markdown with attachments preserved.
Why are people leaving Evernote?
Common reasons: aggressive upselling, reduced free tier, performance issues, and the availability of better alternatives. Many users also prefer local-first tools that don't depend on a company's servers.
Is Joplin a good Evernote replacement?
Yes, for most users. Joplin has notebooks, tags, web clipper, Markdown editing, and sync. It's open-source with end-to-end encryption. The main gap is the lack of a polished web interface.
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Ready to stop paying for Evernote?
Obsidian is completely free. No subscription, no recurring charges.