Best Notes App? Apple Notes vs Notion vs Obsidian vs Notability

[@IamMusicNerd]

I switched from GoodNotes to Notability years ago, and every time I venture out to try to see if anything else has surpassed it, I’m always amazed that Notability is still the best in my opinion. They have absolutely nailed it. The ability to replay your voice notes, and have it synchronized with what you were drawing or typing at the same time during the playback is genius.

[@ryankarim4562]

GoodNotes has the same feature

[@GaelyneGasson]

Obsidian may seem barebones but you can just pop an image into your text way easier than other mark down apps (I use copy/paste for images and no matter where I move the text note, that image is still visible - Obsidian just adjusts the links automatically. And those 800 plugins? That's how your get your AI assistance, database and projects, OCR for images, voice recording, and, with the right theme you can have it looking pretty darn sparkly. I can appreciate you probably had limited time to look it over, but I've used all the apps you've mentioned, but Obsidian has become my go-to because if I need it to do something, I can set that up with either a plugin, or taking a look into the docs. The people who use it are pretty great about helping too. Anyway, just wanted to share what my take on Obsidian is. I am very glad to start seeing your videos again. You disappeared for awhile and it's great to have you back. I'll go sign up for that newsletter now!

[@lucascqueiroz97]

It would be great if there was a tool like Notion that also included the option to handwrite in a specific page. Does using an embed canvas work with the pencil perhaps?

[@Treebranch_]

I do this with craft. There’s a way to embed a page you can directly write or draw on

[@LarryCastle]

Excellent overview and such a helpful breakdown of the various strengths and weaknesses of each. I really appreciate your work. Thanks, Chris!

[@evvtech9609]

I've tried most of these. They don't compare to OneNote. I'm not a Microsoft fan but OneNote is a solid program that works great.

[@vikaskaranpage]

Thanks Chris for this amazing video… your approach to connect the problems with the process of decision making was amazing. Thank you!

[@phillipwaters7041]

As a teacher, a major thing to consider is file management. I’ve always found the notebook feature in notabilities to be clunky. Good news has a great file management system.

[@cantis]

Key feature of Obsidian for me? I'm a developer and It handles code! You can put code blocks into your markdown and have them format properly. This lets you show code in our notes the way we see it in daily use. Oh, and in case you wondered it has dark mode. You can use Mermaid for design diagrams built in! Markdown, the notes language for obsidian should either be easy to pick up or already known by developers! I've tried Notion and switched over to Obsidian because the note entry was much more natural.

[@cacomartin]

Absolutely good video! I love your diagrams and drawings! Congratulations for this new step forward in your videos! 🎉

[@John-thinks]

So deeply covered! All of the relevant points!!!!! Thanks!!!!

[@iamhadyh]

For anyone considering Apple Notes but want back-linking, it'll be released in the next MacOS update.

[@waleed9695]

Why haven’t you mentioned OneNote? For me it’s the best note taking app if you want to use both the pencil and keyboard in tandem - nothing beats it on this part

[@V3lie]

Microsoft killed it.

[@nics8040]

No the didnt

[@nics8040]

@@V3lienot true

[@umairx25]

Would def use it if it had fixed page option and better pdf annotation

[@CanalHormiga]

Very usefull. Thank you for all your hard work to Bring us cuality information.

[@gatorcellman]

No mention of Evernote, so is it just too messed up now to really consider? BTW I read they were acquired.

[@left0verture]

That might be good news. I used to use them - had a suckscription back before everybody and their dogs were shoving that business model down my throat. At the time, I believed in them and wanted to support them but they kept jacking up their prices and hobbling their capability. That, and pretty much ignoring solo users in favor of enterprise. I finally gave up on them after ~ 8 years. I check back every now and then, but they’re still expensive or hobbled - pick one.

[@DennisKonert]

I learned to love a new word: „suckscription“. Awesom. 😂

[@EnderWang]

You know what? GoodNotes just supported voice note, just like Nota did decades ago, and GoodNotes is THE best note-taking app!!

[@AlbieR1S]

Goodnotes isn't a sponsor.

[@fonchifox]

Just supported voice notes? When? It’s not showing for me.

[@AlbieR1S]

@@fonchifox It is for me.

[@EnderWang]

@@fonchifoxThe app is updated two days ago, but it just showed up today when I opened it, a splash screen tells.

[@EnderWang]

@@AlbieR1S Yeah, they do not need to do so since they are the best already lol, and people deserve to know that GN is a better choice in terms of note taking. I use Notion in the meanness time for organizing key terms for exams.

[@psied54]

Thanks Chris! Great framework for your notes process! I’m beyond excited that GoodNotes has voice recording added. NOW it’s the best! I agree with previous comment that overall for all users iOS, Windows, Android, OneNote is the best for cross platform. Apple Notes does have power, though!

[@Scotonetee500]

What do you think of GoodNotes? I’ve been using it for four years or so. How does it stack up with the others?

[@pammcclung861]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention Noteshelf - my favorite note taking app and has been for many years. Very versatile and able to create and organize custom notebooks. Can type or use Apple Pencil. Lots of great features.

[@Praveen-or5ce]

Why should he mention your favourite app?

[@nursultannazarov8379]

Why you even watching this video if you have favorite app. Just quit watching this video

[@arijitpal7938]

Thanks 🎉

[@DeMenteMinds]

What do you mean that notability has no privacy? If you sync your notes with iCloud wouldn’t you inherit the same privacy strengths from the iCloud service?

[@ryanrawlins]

I use OneNote because I use a PC for work, so it syncs there.

[@62bunny]

Looking forward to a detailed review of the Defter Notes app. Great video Chris, thank you!

[@MostafaAhmedAhmed81]

I’m programmer so I’m not an Apple Pencil user. So my Mac is my most companion. I use Apple Notes for quick and draft notes (mostly for capturing notes and ideas), Notion for comprehensive work and project management, and Obsidian for my knowledge base (archive for articles, courses, and tutorials).

[@IWTBFOY]

Any reason you didn't include evernote?

[@shaebulkley3451]

I’m lovin Freeform that just came out

[@matrix0897]

@dailytekk - no need for a full new video, but after iOS17 Apple notes has backlinking. How would you see it today?

[@muscomeddoc]

Hey Chris, I'm curious how you created the smart folder to include "Handwritten" notes?

[@Dailytekk]

You’ll see the option when you go to add a smart folder…

[@anidez]

Smart Folder/attachments/Drawings

[@jeffreybuoncristiano]

why did you omit Freeform?

[@arghyachakraborty]

Hey, Chris big fan here (from India 🇮🇳). Here's a request for you ~ Can you make a video on how to add fonts (as people generally show off on KZbin, handwritten type) to Goodnotes on iPad?

[@owen9899]

Superb video. High quality “props” and footage keeps my attention super locked on the video. Succinct info for each section (description, pros, updates). But since there are multiple sections provides a lot of information as well. Step up from other videos showing up in the same search

[@TheZafou]

Hey Chris, I don't really get why you compare Craft and Notion. I use both everyday and they are very different, especially regarding tables where craft lacks the database features. In my opinion Craft is a bit more similar to Obsidian's use as a second brain but with a nicer design

[@TheContrariann]

Please make a video on Obsidian on iPad, comparison between Obsidian on iPad vs Desktop ‼

[@billnaranjo8747]

Why do you not recommend OneNote? Very heavy user .. I like your opinion on the use

[@engsln]

Great review, thanks. I think MD will be and needs to be the dominator in note-taking and digital writing world for better compatibility and structuring your notes as a natural part of writing them down is the only way to maintain them. Obsidian I will give a try, so. Cheers.

[@usingzoomnotes]

You left out the VERY BEST APP ON THE MARKET!!! ZoomNotes! It’s like trying to compare the Mall of America to a Mom and Pop shoe store!!! Or Tesla to a very low end Ford! No Comparison! ZoomNotes has layers, tables(regular and round) Automatic planner creation with all links done in minutes. It works with shortcuts and reminders and events added automatically. I can go to the grocery store and as soon as I drive up ZoomNotes documents it… and itpots the weather three times a day…. It has automation, infinite whiteboards, sub documents, 3D page page turning, on an on and on, way more than any one person would need but, like CorelDraw and Photoshop you just use what you need. BRILLIANT APP! I have used it for 4 years now and it is constantly getting better and better with new features.

[@left0verture]

Thanks for the recommendation. Looks interesting - two pluses - it’s fairly inexpensive and not saddled with a suckscription, but sadly no way to really give it a thorough checkout without buying it first. 😢

[@digitaljournaldesignusingz6637]

@@left0verture There is a free “lite” version but like you said, you won’t get all the functionality. (I think pens and fonts are limited (?). But, heck, you can’t go to McDonald’s for less these days! I am shocked that it is so cheap! Honestly, if you are willing to get past the first learning curve you won’t look back. There are updates every 3-4 weeks with something new to get excited about. One of the latest updates let’s you take a pdf book that has vertical pages, with a couple of clicks you can double the width, add lines/grids so you now have a built in “notebook” for taking notes next to the text! CRAZY COOL! But the absolute best part about the app is the developer! He keeps a close watch on the FB group and quickly responds to questions that other users can’t answer, AND is VERY responsive to our ideas! Need something? Just ask, odds are good you will see it in a month or so if it doesn’t already do it! I’m having a hard time thinking of things to ask for now! Like I said, there is a great FB group with ZNs junkies that are anxious to help. Plus lots of videos done by users. AND there is contextual help with videos!

[@RuchiraSheyan]

Good video ❤ Informative 💡

[@IRVremy]

Hey, Chris, you can back link with apple notes but it has to be done through apple shortcuts.

[@Dailytekk]

Ya, I mean, unless it’s built-in I just didn’t want to mention it as an official thing (wanted to keep it as basic as I could for people)

[@IRVremy]

@@Dailytekk o ok, I understand. Love your channel, keep up the great work.

[@John-thinks]

very well done video, thanks

[@bankomeister11]

I’ve been trying to migrate from DayOne to Apple notes and I can’t find any way to move the notes. Day one exports noted one at a time 😳😩

[@landonpraught9170]

Wow thanks so much perfect timing. I have been looking for a note app to use. Thank you love the video

[@sustainablewww6715]

How about AnyType? 😊

[@vegahw]

Agenda is my fav for work notes.

[@RameshKumar-ng3nf]

Hey Chris, surprised you didnt mention CRAFTS app 😊. I thought you must be using CRAFT as you already showed in one of your video i remember. I completely moved from obsidian to craft recently as craft fits very good in apple ecosystem and has backlink feature and offline feature as well. Notion i only use for kanban boards now. CRAFT feels so buttery smooth to work in ipad pro M1😊

[@Dailytekk]

Haha ya I mentioned it in the end with alternative apps. Craft is cool I just had to mention Notion up front due to all the plugins and integrations

[@RameshKumar-ng3nf]

@@Dailytekk hehe 😊, i missed the end . Thanks for telling. I feel i need to not rely too much on the timestamps and have to watch till end of the video .😃 he he. I saw the ending part of craft , loved it ❤😊

[@TheFloatingBartender]

I just switch the craft as my main app and i freaking love it

[@RameshKumar-ng3nf]

@@TheFloatingBartender Same here bro. Amazing app❤️. So fast & very smooth to work with. I will be sticking to using this for rest of my life 😊

[@YoRAHeem]

I'm going to watch this, but first just blindly state where's Freeform?

[@Dailytekk]

I mean, do you consider more of a notes app or collaboration apple or whiteboard apple or… it’s kinda hard to categorize. I’ll probably make another video comparing the various infinite workspace apps!

[@chrisronan]

@Chris! - You got me hooked on Craft, dude! And I'm NOT freaking out because it only got an honorable mention from you. I love it, but sometimes get a little shy of using it for everything since I see less media about it. Do you still use Craft? Love your vids. Love your energy!

[@Dailytekk]

Craft is awesome. Glad you like it. Love the early AI adoption. Just wish it had more integrations…

[@chrisronan]

@@Dailytekk thanks Chris. You are right. Integrations for this type of app are pretty clutch.

[@peak_of_eternal_light_moon]

what about Roam????

[@left0verture]

Good video Chris - thanks! I’m an Apple Notes fan, but went back to Notability temporarily as I need to scan class notes to PDF and annotate them. Another commenter noted (no pun intended) that you CAN create back links with Apple Notes. It’s pretty clumsy to do - IMHO Apple needs to streamline that capability. It’s less fiddly to do on a Mac. Lastly, you can also (sort of) do it on Notability but the linked note is web-based. Better than nothing, but not by much.

[@Dailytekk]

Ya since it’s not an “official” feature I left it out… I did ask Apple about a shortcut to facilitate… no word on implementation…

[@kevinmckenna2559]

What about GoodNotes????

[@Dailytekk]

I mean... it's very similar to Notability for the purposes of this vid... along the lines of Notion/Craft, Obsidian/Roam, etc... I had to pick one to represent each style...

[@ChristianZ504]

I don’t know how you leave Goodnotes off this list.

[@PhilReynolds]

Why no mention of GoodNotes

[@nursultannazarov8379]

Why should he STUPD?

[@RikkiSababalat]

Evernote have backlink now

[@benchmarker3588]

Apple Notes actually has backlinks :)

[@delelaniyan9898]

What about Tana and LogSeq

[@Dailytekk]

Mention LogSeq at the end, it’s cool

[@fredbureau-russell7718]

I don’t use any notes app whatsoever the last time I used my Apple Pencil was to sketch something for my tattoo that I got close to 10 years ago now as I drew it with the first iPad Pro, and first Apple Pencil I even got the newer iPad and the newer Apple Pencil, and I literally don’t use the Apple Pencil whatsoever

[@alimzhan2008]

I use Good Notes for quick hand written notes ✍️, but basically I use Notion for the rest. Sometimes I open Procreate to draw 🎨.

[@Dailytekk]

Nice!

[@Rhantismos23]

You may want to try Nebo as well great for hand writing notes

[@auliamate]

Me, in the corner, using Craft:

[@christianvassbakk2876]

Notion on the IPAD is actually a Productivity Killer and a stress trigger. It is TERRIBLE on the ipad. Full of buggs, slow prossessing, and really really bad UX.

[@TheIkaika777]

Apple notes is the best then Drafts.

[@quatele]

Evernote is the gold standard. I don't see how you can leave it out of the conversation.

[@aussiegruber86]

Apple notes = $2000 iPhone and $3500 macbook

[@javtimestwo]

thank you and well said. Apple Notes is easy to use and costs $0 👏🏽

[@jackncold]

evernote, cross platform.

[@ahmedinejat4098]

“wenDues” check this productivity app out for iPad ❤