The best AI note-taking apps use artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP) to take notes for you. They offer features like automated transcription, condensing long notes into smart summaries, cross-device syncing, and advanced search.
Read on to learn more about:
- Our pick of the 17 best AI note-taking apps in 2024
- Who each app is best for, from meetings to creative projects
- A buyer’s guide to key features in AI note-takers
Our top choices for AI note-takers:
- Lindy: Best overall AI note-taker with unbeatable accuracy
- Otter.ai: Best AI note-taking app for meetings
- Notion AI: Nice to have for integrated note-taking and project management
- Evernote: Great for organizing both digital and physical notes
- Microsoft OneNote – Copilot: Perfect for full integration into the Microsoft ecosystem
- Roam Research: Best for connecting ideas using knowledge graphs
- Apple Notes: Great for privacy-conscious Apple users
- Supernotes: A good fit for visual organization and research-heavy note-taking
- Mem: You’ll love this for automatically sorting scattered notes across platforms
- Craft: OK for visual thinkers who prioritize design in note-taking
- Reflect Notes: Best for mindful journaling and reflective writing
- Zoho Notebook: Best for a free and highly customizable note-taking app
- Fusebase (Nimbus Notes): Best for team collaboration and task management
- ClickUp Docs: Great for combining note-taking with task management
- Milanote: Good for creatives needing a visual canvas for ideas
- Agenda: Perfect for tracking notes alongside project timelines
- Keep It: A great fit for Apple users who need multi-format storage
1. Lindy
Lindy isn’t your average note-taking app; it’s a full-fledged AI assistant that helps you manage information overload.
Why does it stand out?
- Supercharged summaries: Lindy's GPT-4 powered AI effortlessly distills lengthy notes, articles, and documents into bite-sized summaries, helping you stay organized and focused.
- Total AI meeting assistant: From generating meeting minutes to superfast note-taking, Lindy’s got you covered.
- Extra accuracy: With 99%+ transcription accuracy, Lindy handles even thick accents or tricky dialects without breaking a sweat.
- A focus on the important stuff: Automatically identifies and tracks key themes with keyword extraction, so you never miss the critical details.
- Near-instant organization: Say goodbye to messy notes — Lindy sorts everything by topic, date, or keyword, so you always know where to look.
- Collaboration made easy: Share notes and summaries effortlessly with your team, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
- All of the integrations: Connect Lindy with your go-to platforms like Slack and Google Drive to access notes and AI-powered summaries from anywhere.
Who is it best for?
Professionals and teams need fast, reliable transcription and note organization to stay on top of everything, from meetings to client calls.
Pros:
- 99%+ transcription accuracy
- Works with Slack, Google Drive, and more
- Fast transcription and summaries
- Effortless organization by keyword or date
Cons:
- Premium features require a subscription
- Some features might be too advanced for casual users
Pricing:
- Free trial: 400 credits
- Premium: $29/month
Verdict: Lindy has the best accuracy level in the business, which makes it the top pick for anyone who wants to offload the dreary business of note-taking to a powerful AI.
2. Otter.ai
Otter.ai is an AI-powered note-taker that focuses on transcribing meetings and conversations in real time.
Why does it stand out?
- Live transcription: Otter.ai lets you transcribe meetings, interviews, and lectures on the fly.
- Speaker ID: It identifies who’s speaking, so you don’t have to guess who said what in team conversations.
- Integration: Works smoothly with platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
Who is it best for?
Perfect for anyone who spends a lot of time in meetings or interviews and needs instant, searchable transcripts.
Pros:
- Live transcription in real time
- Speaker identification
- Integrates well with video conferencing platforms
- Solid accuracy
Cons:
- Can’t do as much on the free tier
- Accuracy can drop in noisy environment
Pricing:
- Basic (Free): 300 monthly transcription minutes
- Pro: $8.33 per month (900 minutes/month)
- Business: $20 per month (6,000 minutes/month)
Verdict: If you’re swimming in meetings and want transcripts on autopilot, Otter.ai is a great companion.
3. Notion AI
Notion AI is a versatile workspace platform that adds AI power to its already popular project management and note-taking features.
Why does it stand out?
- Workspace know-how: Combines note-taking with project management, databases, and wikis, making it more than just a place for your notes.
- Powerful AI: Get help drafting, editing, summarizing, and brainstorming ideas right within your documents.
- Collaborative hub: Great team collaboration, making it a one-stop solution for managing notes, tasks, and more.
Who is it best for?
It is ideal for teams and individuals looking for an all-in-one workspace that goes beyond just note-taking.
Pros:
- Combines note-taking with project management
- Built-in AI for brainstorming and summarizing
- Tons of templates to jumpstart your work
- Works great for team collaboration
Cons:
- Learning curve for new users
- Requires base Notion plan for AI features
Pricing (for Notion AI add-on):
- $8 per member per month
Verdict: If you need more than just a note-taker, Notion AI is pretty good.
4. Evernote
Evernote is a classic note-taking app that now integrates AI tools to improve its organizational features and search capabilities.
Why does it stand out?
- Powerful search: Evernote’s AI-powered search digs deep into your notes and tags to organize automatically so that you can find what you need fast.
- Web clipper: Save web articles, pages, and other online content directly into Evernote for future reference.
- AI edits: Get AI recommendations on how to improve and clean up your handwritten notes.
Who is it best for?
Those who want a reliable, AI-enhanced app for managing massive amounts of notes, articles, and clippings.
Pros:
- Strong AI-powered search
- Web clipper for easy article saving
- Document scanning and organizing
- Works across multiple devices
Cons:
- Can get expensive for premium features
- The interface feels dated to some users
Pricing:
- Free: Basic features with limited storage
- Personal: $10.83-$14.99/month
- Professional: $14.16-$17.99/month
- Teams: $20.83-$24.99 per user per month
Verdict: While it’s showing its age, it’s still a solid choice for organizing both digital and physical notes, especially if you need a strong search engine behind it.
5. Microsoft OneNote – Copilot
OneNote is Microsoft’s answer to digital note-taking, now with an AI boost from its Copilot integration, entering into multi-modal territory.
Why does it stand out?
- Familiar notebook feel: OneNote feels like your classic notebook but with the tech advantages of digital organization and AI tools.
- Multi-input note-taking: Take notes with a stylus, keyboard, or voice. However, it suits your style.
- Microsoft integration: Fully integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, making it a no-brainer for Office 365 users.
Who is it best for?
Anyone deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem who needs a versatile note-taking solution.
Pros:
- Works seamlessly with other Microsoft apps
- Supports multiple input types (text, stylus, voice)
- Chat with Copilot for more than just note-taking
- AI helps with summarizing and idea generation
Cons:
- Limited advanced features in the free plan
- Microsoft 365 subscription required for premium features
Pricing:
- Free: Basic features
- Microsoft 365 Personal: $6.99/month
Verdict: For Microsoft fans, OneNote offers a bit of an AI-powered update to the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Veers from the classic stuff a bit.
6. Roam Research
What is it?
Roam Research is a networked thought tool designed to help you connect ideas in a unique, web-like structure.
Why does it stand out?
- Networked thinking: Roam creates a knowledge graph from your notes, linking related ideas and helping you spot connections you might miss elsewhere.
- Bidirectional linking: A powerful feature that connects your notes, making research and idea development more natural.
- AI plugins: Recent AI integrations help with summarization, question answering, and generating fresh insights.
Who is it best for?
It is great for knowledge workers and researchers who love diving deep into ideas and making connections between them.
Pros:
- Networked knowledge structure
- Bidirectional links to connect notes
- Custom workflows
- AI plugin integration
Cons:
- High learning curve
- It feels overwhelming for casual note-takers
Pricing:
- Pro: $15/month for the annual plan.
Verdict: If you’re someone who thinks in webs rather than lists, Roam is the tool that helps your ideas come to life.
7. Apple Notes
For Apple users, Apple Notes is a familiar and convenient option that has recently integrated AI tools into its arsenal.
- AI-heavy translation: Translate languages, summarize text, and generate ideas with the help of AI, taking your note-taking to the next level.
- Total integration with the Apple Cloud: Apple Notes works like a dream with other Apple products like iCloud and Siri, making it a natural choice for those already invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Handwriting and drawing support: Use your Apple Pencil to take notes, sketch ideas, or doodle to your heart's content.
- Get your collab on: You can easily share and collaborate on notes with other Apple users, making teamwork a breeze.
Why does it stand out?
- Perfect cross-device sync: Notes are always available across all your Apple gadgets, thanks to iCloud, keeping everything handy and organized.
- AI-driven help: New AI features help with stuff like translating and summarizing text, though they’re still in beta for many users.
- Built-in privacy: Apple locks all your data into your iCloud account, meaning privacy isn’t a concern.
Who is it best for?
This tool suits Apple loyalists who need a reliable, fully synced note-taking system that plays well with the rest of their Apple gear.
Pros:
- Good syncing with Apple devices
- Handwriting and drawing support
- Tight privacy control
- Easy collaboration for Apple users
Cons:
- AI features are still rolling out globally
- Limited to the Apple ecosystem
Pricing:
- Free for all Apple users
Verdict: A great pick if you live within the Apple ecosystem and want total device integration. Apple AI features are not widely available everywhere yet, though this new Apple Intelligence beta update is set to roll out in the fall of 2024.
8. Supernotes
Supernotes acts like a knowledge base designed for those who love to dive deep into their ideas and research.
Why does it stand out?
- AI-powered summaries: Supernotes helps you understand complex topics by summarizing and analyzing your notes.
- Card-based organization: This unique system makes it easy to move and connect ideas visually, providing a more engaging way to organize thoughts.
- Spaced repetition feature: Ensures you retain the information you write down, unlike other note-taking apps.
Who is it best for?
Researchers, students, and anyone who enjoys organizing ideas visually will find Supernotes a great fit.
Pros:
- AI-powered features for summarization
- Card-based system for visual organization
- Spaced repetition to boost retention
Cons:
- Limited features in the free version
- The card system may not appeal to traditional note-takers
Pricing:
- Free: Basic features
- Unlimited ($10 per month): Get full access to all features, including AI tools and unlimited notes. Discounts are available for annual plans and 4-year plans.
Verdict:
It is great for researchers and visual thinkers who need to link ideas effectively.
9. Mem
Mem is an AI-powered app that organizes your scattered information from different platforms and stores it all in one place. It’s like having a personal assistant that keeps everything neat and searchable.
Why does it stand out?
- Automatic organization: Mem categorizes and connects your notes without you lifting a finger, making it incredibly efficient.
- Smart search feature: This AI app understands the context of your notes, allowing you to find the right info even when you don’t remember exact keywords.
- Real-time collaboration: It allows teams to work together seamlessly, sharing notes in real time.
Who is it best for?
Great for teams or individuals needing to organize and quickly access scattered information across different platforms.
Pros:
- Automatically organizes notes
- Context-aware search
- Real-time collaboration for team projects
Cons:
- Custom pricing for teams
- Limited features in the free plan
Pricing:
- Mem ($8.33 per month): Basic features with AI-powered tools
- Mem Teams (Custom pricing): Full access for teams with priority support
Verdict:
It is fantastic for organizing scattered notes and collaborating with your team.
10. Craft
Craft is an elegant note-taking app that merges document editing with note organization, giving you a stunning, easy-to-use interface to store your thoughts.
Why does it stand out?
- Beautiful, customizable documents: You can integrate images, videos, and embeds to create visually compelling notes.
- Flexible blocks: Organize content in blocks, allowing you to rearrange and reformat notes easily.
- Collaborative potential: Craft allows for seamless real-time collaboration with teams, perfect for brainstorming sessions.
Who is it best for?
Creative professionals and teams that prioritize both aesthetics and functionality in their note-taking.
Pros:
- Beautiful, customizable interface
- Flexible block system for note organization
- Great for document sharing and collaboration
Cons:
- Advanced features locked behind the Pro plan
- Not ideal for those who need more technical AI-powered note functions
Pricing:
- Free: Basic features
- Pro ($8 per month): Full access to document customization, offline mode, and more
Verdict:
It is ideal for creatives looking for visually beautiful and functional note-taking.
11. Reflect Notes
Reflect Notes is a simple note-taking app geared toward journaling, mindful writing, and self-reflection.
Why does it stand out?
- Distraction-free interface: Designed to foster deep thinking in a minimalistic environment, Reflect keeps you focused on writing without distractions.
- Daily journaling prompts: Encourages consistent journaling with prompts that spark self-reflection and insight.
- AI-enhanced note-taking: With OpenAI integrations, Reflect allows for transcription, automatic outlines, and prompt customization to fit your needs.
Who is it best for?
It is best suited for journalers, writers, and individuals focused on mindfulness and reflection.
Pros:
- Clean, distraction-free interface
- Daily journaling prompts to keep you on track
- AI transcription and customization
Cons:
- Primarily geared toward journaling, not robust enough for complex note-taking
- Limited features in the free plan
Pricing:
- Free: Basic features
- One Plan ($10 per month): Unlimited notes, themes, AI tools
Verdict:
A mindful note-taking app best for journaling and deep self-reflection.
12. Zoho Notebook
Zoho Notebook is a beautifully designed note-taking app that’s part of the larger Zoho suite, offering a clean and minimalistic interface for jotting down thoughts and organizing them efficiently.
Why does it stand out?
- Multi-format notes: It's not just text – create checklists, audio notes, sketches, and even attach PDFs to your notes.
- Notebook-style organization: It offers a familiar notebook feel. With virtual notebooks, you can customize them with different covers.
- Smooth syncing: Syncs flawlessly across all devices and platforms with a great mobile experience.
Who is it best for?
This is for anyone seeking a free, beautifully designed note-taking app that supports multiple formats and offers a familiar notebook-like interface.
Pros:
- Free with no ads
- Multi-format note-taking
- Customizable notebooks
- Cross-platform syncing
Cons:
- Limited advanced features compared to premium tools
- Fewer third-party app integrations
Pricing:
- Free version: All the basic features are in there.
- Pro version: The upgrade costs $1.99 to $2.49 per month
Verdict: A simple, versatile note-taking tool that’s easy to use and completely free.
13. Nimbus Notes (Now a part of Fusebase)
Nimbus Notes is a powerful all-in-one app for capturing, organizing, and sharing notes. It combines note-taking with task management, making it perfect for busy professionals.
Why does it stand out?
- Capture anything: Nimbus Notes lets you clip articles, images, and even entire web pages into your notes.
- Team collaboration: It offers robust collaboration features, making it easy to share notes, workspaces, and documents with your team.
- All-in-one organization: Manage notes, tasks, and documents within a single app, minimizing the need for multiple tools.
Who is it best for?
It is good for professionals and teams who need an all-in-one tool for managing notes, jobs, and projects.
Pros:
- Multi-functional (notes, tasks, documents)
- Web clipping feature
- Real-time collaboration
- Supports multiple note formats
Cons:
- The mobile app can be slower compared to other apps
- Learning curve due to the broad set of features
Pricing:
- Essentials ($28 per month): 2 Client accounts. More storage, advanced features
- Plus ($73 per month): 15 Client accounts. The advanced team features more AI requests.
Verdict: A great all-in-one solution for professionals who want to keep everything in one place.
14. ClickUp Docs
ClickUp is a popular project management tool, and its Docs feature adds powerful note-taking functionality that ties seamlessly into project tasks and workflows.
Why does it stand out?
- Notes linked to jobs: You can link notes directly to tasks or projects in ClickUp, making it perfect for project-based teams.
- Templates galore: Offers a wide range of customizable templates for different types of documents and notes.
- Collaborative editing: Just like Google Docs, ClickUp Docs allows multiple users to edit and comment on notes in real time.
Who is it best for?
Ideal for teams and project managers who want integrated note-taking tied to task and project management.
Pros:
- Seamless integration with tasks and projects
- Collaborative editing
- Customizable templates
- Great for project management workflows
Cons:
- Overwhelming for individual users
- Requires ClickUp for full functionality
Pricing:
- Free: Basic features
- Unlimited ($7 per user per month): Unlimited storage and integrations
- Business ($12) per user per month: For teams with bigger needs.
- Enterprise: You’ll have to get in touch with ClickUp for pricing.
Verdict: A must-have for teams looking to blend notes and tasks into one streamlined workflow.
15. Milanote
Milanote is a visual note-taking app designed for creatives with a flexible workspace to organize ideas, inspiration, and projects.
Why does it stand out?
- Visual note-taking: It offers a drag-and-drop interface that lets you visually organize text, images, and links on an infinite canvas.
- Creative-friendly: Perfect for brainstorming, mood boards, and idea mapping, making it a go-to for designers and creatives.
- Collaboration: Allows real-time collaboration, where teams can organize their thoughts and visual content together.
Who is it best for?
Perfect for creatives and designers who prefer a visual approach to note-taking and project planning.
Pros:
- Visual, drag-and-drop interface
- Ideal for brainstorming and mood boards
- Collaborative features
- Flexible organization
Cons:
- Limited advanced text features
- More expensive compared to traditional note-taking apps
Pricing:
- Free: Limited storage and features
- Pro ($9.99 per month): Unlimited storage and advanced features
Verdict: Perfect for visually-oriented users and creative professionals.
16. Agenda
Agenda is a date-focused note-taking app designed to organize your notes around your timeline, making it ideal for tracking projects over time.
Why does it stand out?
- Time-based organization: Unlike most note-taking apps, Agenda organizes your notes around your calendar, helping you track progress on long-term projects.
- Beautiful interface: The sleek design and calendar integration give Agenda a polished feel, making it a joy to use.
- Progress tracking: You can attach notes to specific dates or events, helping you stay on top of deadlines and tasks.
Who is it best for?
Perfect for professionals who need to keep track of project progress over time.
Pros:
- Date-based note organization
- Sleek, easy-to-use interface
- Calendar and task integration
- Great for long-term projects
Cons:
- Limited for quick notes
- More suited to macOS/iOS users
Pricing:
- Free: Basic features
- Premium ($34.99 per year): Access to all features
Verdict: Perfect for professionals who want to track notes alongside their project timelines.
17. Keep It
Keep It is a simple, powerful note-taking and organization app for macOS and iOS, ideal for users who need to store notes, documents, and web links all in one place.
Why does it stand out?
- Multi-format storage: Keep It supports all types of media — from text to images, PDFs, and web links, all stored neatly in one app.
- Simple organization: Keep It lets you organize everything with folders and tags, making it easy to categorize and find your files.
- Sync across devices: It’s designed for Apple users and syncs across all devices using iCloud, ensuring you can access your notes anywhere.
Who is it best for?
Perfect for Apple users who need a straightforward way to manage multi-format notes and documents.
Pros:
- Stores multiple formats (text, images, PDFs)
- Simple and clean organization
- iCloud sync
- Works great with macOS and iOS
Cons:
- Limited to the Apple ecosystem
- Lacks collaboration features
Pricing:
- License ($59.99): Gain access to advanced features with a one-time payment.
Verdict: Best for Apple users looking for simple yet versatile note-taking with multi-format support.
Buyer's guide: Comparing features in AI note-taking apps
We’ve kept these factors in mind when choosing these apps:
- High accuracy levels: How well does the app understand you? You don’t want to spend hours fixing errors in your notes. The best software will have high accuracy rates and handle accents and noisy environments without turning your words into gibberish.
- Summarization and indexing: Can it pull out the important stuff? A good AI note-taker won’t just transcribe—it’ll summarize key points and organize everything neatly, so you can always find what matters without scrolling through a wall of text.
- Getting your collab on: Can your team jump in? If you’re working with others, you need real-time collaboration, where notes and changes are shared across the board. Make sure it’s easy to co-edit and share those brilliant ideas.
- Device syncing: Does it sync across all your devices? Your notes should be available whether you're on a phone, tablet, or desktop without needing to transfer files manually.
- Easy to use: Is the app intuitive, or does it feel like a maze? The best apps are easy to set up and start using, with minimal learning curves, so you can focus on work, not on figuring out the software.
- Integrations: Does it play well with others? Your app should easily integrate with your favorite platforms like Slack, Google Drive, or Microsoft Teams so your workflow stays seamless.
- Security and privacy: How safe is your data? Look for apps with strong encryption and privacy protocols, especially if you’re handling sensitive information.
- Won’t drain your bank account: Are you getting what you pay for? Whether free or paid, ensure the app offers value. Paid plans should come with clear benefits like better accuracy, more storage, or collaboration features.
Summing up
In a world where we’re managing terabytes of information, having the right software to organize and make sense of it all is crucial.
Having a great note-taking app can be a lifeline, transforming the way you capture, process, and use knowledge.
And what is the best AI note-taking app? Lindy stands head and shoulders above the competition with its advanced natural language processing, 99%+ accuracy, and myriad apps.
