Leaving Evernote: Part 3

When I wrote about leaving Evernote earlier this year, I explained why I was looking for a note-taking replacement.

After identifying my requirements, I researched and found three apps that seemed to be good contenders for my next note-taking app: Simplenote, Notion, and Joplin.

Unfortunately, after I reviewed/used each app, I discovered they all had missing requirements that were essential to me.

Those requirements were:

1. Save notes on any digital device—laptop, smartphone, tablet—or in the browser
2. Not limited to one operating system (only Mac, Windows, or Linux)
3. Synchronizes my notes, or better yet, automatically updates my notes
4. Tag support
5. Export notes
6. Import my Evernote notes

My search for a new note-taking app continued.

I was a bit frustrated, not finding any solutions that fit my requirements.

And I discovered I wasn’t alone.

Many other folks contacted me about Evernote alternatives.

Somehow my searches found a public forum where people were discussing note-taking options.

And that’s how I discovered my Evernote replacement. Which I’ve been happily using for almost two months.

Notesnook

What caught my attention with Notesnook is their tagline: Privacy for everyone.

A note-taking app with a focus on privacy wasn’t on my requirement list.

But it sure made me delve into what Notesnook had to offer.

After testing it out, I not only learned Notesnook met all my requirements, but it had the added bonus of protecting privacy.

And it did it all in a nice user-friendly design.

With excellent help documentation!

Whoa.

After using so many services and apps with missing, poor, or no documentation, it was a delight to discover Notesnook prioritized help documentation.

I loved their tips on organizing notes with notebooks, colors, tags, favorites, and pins.

And that their documentation explained how to do it on desktop/web and mobile.

What else did I like about Notesnook?

Coming from Evernote, the Notesnook user interface was something I felt comfortable with right away.

The import of my hundreds of Evernote notes worked flawlessly and quickly.

Plus, Notesnook has so many features!

Here are a few:

1. Works cross-platform, on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
2. Unlimited storage (with Pro version)
3. Version history
4. Offline access
5. Import notes from Evernote, Google Keep, Joplin, OneNote, Simplenote, Standard Notes, Zoho notebook, Obsidian, HTML files, Markdown files, Plaintext files
6. Export one note, multiple notes, or all your notes to Markdown, PDF, HTML (with Pro version)
7. Instant synchronization
8. Tagging
9. Rich text formatting options: bold, lists, six heading levels, font choices
10. Open source and under active development
11. Community on Discord (3,000+ members as of September 13, 2023)
12. Web clipper (though I haven’t used it)
13. Cost for Pro version ($49.99 US dollars per year, as of September 13, 2023)

Wrapping Up

For me, Notesnook fits all my note-taking app requirements, with added bonuses of being open source, end-to-end encrypted, and private.

What makes it even better for me: I’m no longer worried about my notes. Which is something I’ve been concerned with Evernote for years.

I know my notes are encrypted and private on Notesnook.

Have you tried Notesnook? Or found another note-taking app that works for you? Share your thoughts in the comments.