Best Free Note Taking App with Cloud Sync
No scriptLooking for a free note-taking app that syncs your notes between your phone and computer? Zoho Notebook, Obsidian, Joplin, Evernote and Notion are five of the most popular choices, and each suits a different kind of user. Below is a comparison, followed by a short guide to choosing.
Free plans and their limits change from time to time. Check each app’s official website for the current free-plan terms before you commit (as of October 2026).
Quick Comparison
| App | Open source | How sync works | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoho Notebook | No | Zoho’s own cloud | Simple, visual notes |
| Obsidian | No (free app, notes stored as plain files) | Paid Obsidian Sync, or your own cloud folder | Linked notes, writers, researchers |
| Joplin | Yes | Your choice of cloud (for example Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud/WebDAV) or Joplin Cloud | Privacy and open source |
| Evernote | No | Evernote’s own cloud | Capturing web pages and documents |
| Notion | No | Notion’s own cloud | Notes plus tasks, databases and wikis |
The Five Apps Compared
-
Zoho Notebook:
- Features: Multimedia notes (text, checklists, audio, images), organized in notebooks with colourful “cards”, with sync across devices.
- Limitations: Fewer customization options than more advanced tools.
- Target Audience: Individuals who want a straightforward, good-looking notes app with cloud syncing.
-
Obsidian:
- Features: Interlinked notes, custom themes, a large plugin library and Markdown formatting. Your notes stay as plain files on your own device.
- Limitations: No built-in real-time collaboration, and its own sync service is a paid add-on; free users can sync by keeping the notes folder in a cloud drive.
- Target Audience: Knowledge workers, researchers and writers who value customization and owning their files.
-
Joplin:
- Features: Open-source, with optional end-to-end encryption, sync across devices through a cloud service of your choice, Markdown formatting, tags and notebooks.
- Why it stands out: It meets the most demanding combination of needs - open source, cloud sync, all major platforms, and no artificial limits on the free version.
- Target Audience: People who value privacy, open-source software and flexibility across platforms.
-
Evernote:
- Features: Strong tools for capturing, organizing and searching notes, web clippings and documents across devices.
- Limitations: Its free plan has become much more restricted over the years, and many users have moved away because of pricing.
- Target Audience: Professionals who need powerful capture and search and are willing to pay.
-
Notion:
- Features: An all-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, databases and wikis.
- Limitations: Its flexibility can feel complex for simple note-taking, and the free plan has limits, for example on file uploads and some team features. Offline use is more limited than with local-first apps.
- Target Audience: Users who want one tool for personal organization and team collaboration.
How to Choose
- Want it simple? Start with Zoho Notebook.
- Care most about privacy and open source? Choose Joplin and turn on end-to-end encryption.
- Want to build a personal knowledge base of linked notes? Choose Obsidian.
- Need notes, tasks and team pages together? Choose Notion.
- Already have years of notes in Evernote? Check its current free plan; if it no longer suits you, Joplin and Notion can both import Evernote exports.
Tips Before You Switch
- Try the app for a week with real notes before moving everything.
- Check that it works on every device you use - Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone and the web.
- Keep a backup or export of your notes, whatever app you use.
- If you turn on encryption, store the password safely; lost encryption passwords usually cannot be recovered.
If your laptop or phone needs attention before you set things up, see our guide to computer repair services in Coimbatore.
In summary, for open-source software, cloud integration, multi-platform support and no artificial limits, Joplin stands out as the recommended option. However, users should weigh their own needs before choosing a note-taking app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best free note-taking app with cloud sync?
For open source, encryption and no artificial limits, Joplin stands out. Zoho Notebook is the simplest, Obsidian is best for linked notes, and Notion suits notes plus tasks.
Is Obsidian free?
The Obsidian app is free to use, but its own sync service is a paid add-on; free users can sync by keeping the notes folder in a cloud drive.
Can I move my notes from Evernote?
Yes. Joplin and Notion can both import Evernote exports. Keep a backup before you switch.
Is Joplin safe for private notes?
Joplin is open source and supports end-to-end encryption; store your encryption password safely, as it usually cannot be recovered.