Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Google Keep
Best for Quick CapturePrice
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Summary
The fastest way to capture a thought — no folders, no friction, just notes. Supports text, checklists, audio, and photos, and syncs instantly across all your Google devices.
A free, open-source app that stores notes locally by default — no cloud required. PCMag's top pick for privacy-conscious users who don't want their notes living on someone else's server.
Pros
- Extremely fast and simple — minimal learning curve
- Supports text, checklists, audio recordings, and photos
- Free with seamless Google account integration
- Color-coded notes and labels for basic organization
- Fully open-source and free with no subscription
- Notes stored locally by default — complete data ownership
- Supports Markdown with a clean editor
- Optional sync via your own cloud (Nextcloud, Dropbox, etc.)
Cons
- Limited formatting and organizational features
- Not suitable for long-form or structured notes
- No offline-first or privacy-focused storage options
- Interface is functional but not polished compared to commercial apps
- No built-in collaboration features
- Mobile apps are less refined than desktop
Our take
Keep is what you use when you just need to write something down right now. It's not a knowledge base, but for quick capture and reminders it beats everything else on speed.
Joplin is the rare app that's both free and genuinely privacy-respecting. If you've ever felt uneasy about your notes sitting in a corporate cloud, this is your answer.
Buy
