Introduction

In my quest for the ideal alternative to Evernote, I’ve been assessing numerous note-taking apps. This evaluation is just one aspect of a broader project aimed at comparing various note-taking platforms. For further details, feel free to explore this post: Finding the perfect alternative for Evernote.

Assessment ClickUp

ClickUp is a more comprehensive productivity and project management tool designed to streamline work processes and enhance team collaboration, then a real dedicated note-taking platform/app.

ClickUp is a complete productivity app that includes robust note-taking features. One of its main advantages is its versatility, allowing users to create and organize projects with notes attached, within a larger framework of tasks, projects, and goals.

However, ClickUp can be somewhat overwhelming for new users due to its extensive feature set and customization options. The learning curve can be steep, especially for those who only need a simple note-taking solution. Additionally, while ClickUp excels in task management and project organization, its note-taking capabilities may feel secondary compared to dedicated note-taking apps.

Overall, it feels more a project management tool with collaboration features baked in. Perhaps not really suitable for the goal I have in mind, organizing my notes on a daily basis.

PROS

• Lovely platform for management projects and goals, individually and as a team.
• ClickUp seamlessly integrates note-taking with project management, allowing users to keep notes, tasks, and project details in one unified platform.
• Users can tailor ClickUp’s workflows to their specific needs, organizing notes within broader projects and tasks.
• ClickUp supports real-time collaboration, enabling team members to edit and comment on notes together.
• ClickUp integrates with numerous other tools and services, allowing users to connect their notes with various aspects of their workflow, enhancing overall efficiency.

CONS

• The platform’s primary purpose is not to manage notes.
• Due to its extensive feature set and customization options, ClickUp can be overwhelming for new users, especially those looking for a straightforward note-taking solution. The learning curve may be steep for those not familiar with project management tools.
• The interface feels cluttered and less intuitive compared to dedicated note-taking apps.
• While ClickUp excels in task management and project organization, its note-taking capabilities seem secondary.
• ClickUp’s functionality is heavily reliant on an internet connection, and offline access to notes can be limited.

Criteria

Sources

1. https://clickup.com/blog/evernote-vs-clickup/
2. https://www.reddit.com/r/clickup/comments/15rznbf/i_give_up_on_clickup_the_marketing_is_better_than/
3. https://clickup.com/terms/privacy
4. https://clickup.com/integrations
5. https://help.clickup.com/hc/en-us/articles/6304782034839-Sync-ClickUp-calendar-with-an-external-calendar
6. https://clickup.com/integrations/outlook
7. https://clickup.com/api/

Introduction

In my quest for the ideal alternative to Evernote, I’ve been assessing numerous note-taking apps. This evaluation is just one aspect of a broader project aimed at comparing various note-taking platforms. For further details, feel free to explore this post: Finding the perfect alternative for Evernote.

Assessment Google Keep

Google Keep is a popular note-taking app known for its appealing features, but it can seem rather rudimentary compared to more robust platforms like Evernote or Microsoft OneNote. One of its main strengths is its user-friendly interface, making it easy to quickly jot down notes, create checklists, and set reminders. These features, along with its integration with the Google ecosystem, make it a convenient choice for users who rely on other Google services.

However, Google Keep has several limitations. Its organizational features are basic, lacking support for nested folders or advanced tagging, which can be a significant drawback for those with extensive note collections. The app’s formatting options are also limited, offering only the most essential text formatting capabilities. Additionally, the desktop version requires an internet connection, as it does not support offline access.

Exporting notes is restrictive as well, primarily integrating with Google Docs, which can be very, very inconvenient for users who want to migrate their notes to other platforms. The exit strategy means another drama, and will take a lot of time to convert to another platform. Unfortunately, this is even worse than other platforms.

Overall, it feels more like a note-taking app where you can make a few personal notes on the fly, mainly from your mobile phone. For grocery shopping, for example. But for power users or business use, it definitely falls short and is inadequate.

PROS

• It’s free, as in you pay by giving up your privacy
• User-Friendly Interface: Google Keep has a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy to quickly jot down notes, create checklists, and set reminders.
• Collaboration Features: Supports real-time collaboration, allowing users to share notes and lists with others
• Voice Notes and Image Recognition: Offers the ability to record voice notes and transcribe them automatically. It also supports image recognition, allowing users to extract text from images, which is useful for capturing information from documents or whiteboards.

CONS

• Limited Organization Options: Google Keep lacks advanced organizational features like nested folders or tags. While it supports labels and color-coding, this may not be sufficient for power users.
• Basic Formatting: The formatting options are quite basic compared to other note-taking apps. Users can create lists and add checkboxes, but advanced text formatting like different fonts, text sizes, or embedded files are not available.
• No Offline Access on Desktop: While the mobile app supports offline access, the web version requires an internet connection. This can be a drawback for users who need to access their notes from a computer without internet.
• Limited Export Options: Exporting notes is somewhat limited, primarily offering integration with Google Docs.

Criteria

Sources

1. https://zapier.com/blog/google-keep-vs-evernote/
2. https://support.google.com/docs/thread/8642562/google-keep-has-told-me-the-label-limit-has-been-reached-surely-there-can-t-be-a-limit-on-them?hl=en
3. https://support.google.com/docs/thread/173013037/why-do-my-google-keep-notes-keep-disappearing-over-time?hl=en
4. https://www.reddit.com/r/googlehome/comments/v1j2zi/found_out_there_is_a_1000item_limit_in_keep_list/
5. https://www.cloudwards.net/google-keep-review/

Introduction

In my quest for the ideal alternative to Evernote, I’ve been assessing numerous note-taking apps. This evaluation is just one aspect of a broader project aimed at comparing various note-taking platforms. For further details, feel free to explore this post: Finding the perfect alternative for Evernote.

Assessment Microsoft OneNote

Following our assessment of OneNote, we can assert with confidence that it’s a superb note-taking application. Offering a rich array of features for note creation, organization, and accessibility across multiple devices, it impresses. Particularly noteworthy are its capabilities for real-time collaboration and its wide-ranging third-party integrations. Tiago Forte himself has endorsed OneNote as an excellent tool for constructing a “second brain”. Also notably, it stands out among others for its support of handwritten notes.

Nevertheless, the app does come with its downsides, including constraints on text formatting and the not so very intuitive tag support (it actually sucks to be honest). Furthermore, creating tasks from within notes, for example when holding a meeting and at the same time, fill you todo list with required follow-up work, could be better.

PROS

• Works very, very well within the Microsoft ecosystem and at the same time provides good support for Apple devices.
• One great thing about OneNote is that it supports real-time collaboration. You can share your notes with colleagues or friends by inviting them through email, and they can edit them as you watch.
• A complete and feature-rich, and on its own it is a mature note-taking app.

CONS

• It still sometimes feels a bit like a standalone project within the Microsoft/Office 365 portfolio. The integration with complementary solutions like ToDo and Outlook is moderately shaky and doesn’t feel mature.
• OneNote is not a standalone solution, instead you buy-in and adopt the Microsoft/Office 365 ecosystem.
• Lack of proper tags and smart folders, so that your pages can belong to multiple hierarchies at the same time.

Criteria

Sources

1. https://www.reddit.com/r/OneNote/comments/18yc95o/export_onenote_to_different_format/
2. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/export-and-import-onenote-notebooks-a4b60da5-8f33-464e-b1ba-b95ce540f309
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ97QqG0MXw
4. https://www.onenote.com/apps
5. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/integrate-with-onenote
6. https://www.reddit.com/r/OneNote/comments/10ali3g/onenote_is_the_best_note_taking_app/
7. https://privacy.commonsense.org/evaluation/Microsoft-365