If you want to quickly share a thought or scribble, you don’t necessarily have to open a word processor. A note taking app offers a solution. iPhoned lists the four best note-taking apps for iOS.
The best iOS note taking apps
In principle, you don’t have to download a separate app, of course. iOS already comes with Notes as standard, an app that will suffice for most people. In addition to taking standard notes, you can also insert photos and videos, as well as create checklists. You have many formatting options at your disposal, as well as the ability to create drawings.
However, you may also like to try something different. Fortunately, the App Store is home to many other note-taking apps, some of which are well worth checking out. We list the four best alternatives.
1. Drafts: notes without distraction
Our personal favorite: Drafts. The app is very simple and minimalistic, yet offers enough options so that even the most demanding users can get started with it.
As soon as you open the app, you immediately see an empty space that invites you to write on it. This is ideal for capturing a quick thought. This idea is reinforced by the further design of the app: the design is deliberately simple in design. This way you don’t have to think about the design of your text.
In addition, Drafts works intuitively thanks to the inbox functionality. Once you’ve created a note, it will be added to this inbox and you can choose follow-up actions. From e-mailing, setting reminders to posting directly to Twitter: everything is possible. Drafts is fairly pricey, but is well worth the amount in our opinion.
2. Google Keep: simple, good and fast
Prefer not to spend money on a note-taking app? Then give Google Keep a try. Google’s own note-taking app stands out thanks to its clear interface. By means of colors and frames, you can easily group notes with the same scope or category. Moreover, you can not only save text, but also record voice memos, for example.
These recordings are automatically unsubscribed for you. Handy, because transcribing is usually a time-consuming activity. It is also possible to set reminders that you can link to a specific location. For example, you will receive a notification when you walk past the supermarket and still have to buy bread.
3. Noted: focus on audio recording
Noted is particularly notable for its focus on audio recordings. You can take notes and record audio at the same time and then automatically add a time here. This is useful, because in this way you can easily structure (long) interviews, for example. Thanks to the preview mode, you can also quickly check whether you have provided the correct clip with a time.
In addition, you can also make ‘regular’ notes with the app, which are automatically saved in iCloud. Noted focuses mainly on students who want to record lectures and professionals who want to replay meetings later. That is why there is a possibility in the app to share recordings directly with fellow students or colleagues.
Noted is basically free, but to unlock all functions, you have to deposit 0.99 euros per month or 8.99 euros per year. The full version includes unlimited cloud storage.
4. Notability: very complete
Notability is also a very complete app. You can use it to make standard notes, annotate PDF files and sketch on images and photos. The app also includes the option to record audio and provide it with certain tags, so that you can easily find it later. However, this is slightly less easy than with Noted.
In addition, Notability automatically stores all your files in iCloud, so they are always up-to-date. A nice addition is the good support of the Apple Pencil. Furthermore, you can easily organize all your notes by placing them in clear folders.
With a price of 10.99 euros, Notability is certainly not a cheap app. However, some prefer to purchase an app in one go, instead of having to pay monthly.