Best Free Note-Taking Apps in 2026
Our comparison of OneNote, Notion and Obsidian looks at which app fits which kind of thinker. This guide narrows in specifically on the free tier: what each app actually gives you without paying, where the real limits sit, and which one to pick if staying on the free plan long-term matters to you.
Which Free Note-Taking App Should You Use?
Obsidian offers the most open-ended free tier since your notes live as local files with no device cap, while Notion's free plan gives unlimited notes for individual use with cloud sync built in. Evernote's free plan is the most limited of the four, mainly through its two-device sync cap.
The right free tier depends on a tradeoff: local-first tools like Obsidian give you unlimited free use but push sync costs to a paid add-on, while cloud-first tools like Notion and Evernote build sync in but sometimes cap other things instead.
What Each Free Tier Includes
Notion
Unlimited pages and blocks for individual use, cloud sync included, some collaboration features limited.
Obsidian
Unlimited local notes as plain markdown files, no device cap for local use, paid add-ons for sync and publishing.
OneNote
Free with a Microsoft account, storage tied to your OneDrive free tier, deeply integrated with Windows.
Evernote
Free plan capped at two synced devices, with additional limits on monthly uploads.
Side by Side
| App | Note limit | Device sync limit | Offline access | Data format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notion | Unlimited (individual) | Unlimited | Yes | Cloud-based, proprietary |
| Obsidian | Unlimited | Unlimited (local); sync is paid | Yes, by default | Local plain markdown files |
| OneNote | Unlimited (tied to OneDrive storage) | Unlimited | Yes | Cloud-based (OneDrive) |
| Evernote | Limited monthly uploads | 2 devices | Yes | Cloud-based, proprietary |
Unlimited Individual Use, Limits Appear Around Collaboration
Notion's free plan is genuinely generous for a single person: unlimited pages, unlimited blocks (the building units of a Notion page), and full access to its database and template features according to its own pricing page. The limits show up when you add other people, guest access counts and version history depth are capped on the free tier in ways that don't affect solo use.
For anyone using Notion purely for their own notes and organization rather than team collaboration, the free tier has essentially no practical ceiling.
Local-First, With Paid Add-Ons for Convenience
Obsidian takes a different approach entirely: your notes are stored as plain markdown text files directly on your device, not in a proprietary cloud format. This means there's no note count limit and no device restriction for local use, you can install Obsidian on as many of your own devices as you like and use it fully offline, for free, indefinitely.
What Obsidian charges for is convenience: its official Sync service (keeping your notes automatically updated across devices) and Publish service (turning your notes into a public website) are paid add-ons. You can achieve syncing for free using a cloud storage folder or a tool like Git instead, though that requires more manual setup than Obsidian's official paid sync.
Free and Deeply Tied to Microsoft's Ecosystem
OneNote is free with any Microsoft account, and its storage is effectively tied to your OneDrive free allowance (commonly 5GB), which is plenty for years of typical note-taking since text takes up very little space. It syncs automatically across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, and its free-form canvas style (letting you place text and drawings anywhere on a page) differs from the more linear approach of Notion or Evernote.
Its main limitation isn't really a note-taking restriction, it's ecosystem lock-in: OneNote works best if you're already using Microsoft products, and exporting notes cleanly to another platform later can be more friction than with plain-text-based tools like Obsidian.
The Most Restricted Free Tier of the Four
Evernote's free plan caps sync at two devices, according to its own plans comparison, along with a limited monthly upload allowance for new notes. For someone checking notes on just a phone and a laptop, that's workable. For anyone wanting notes available on a phone, a personal laptop and a separate work computer, the two-device limit becomes the practical wall that pushes people toward a paid plan or a different app entirely.
Evernote remains strong on search and organization features within those limits, it's specifically the device cap that stands out as the tightest restriction among these four options.
Match the App to How You Actually Take Notes
- You want no practical note or device limit
- You're comfortable with either a proprietary cloud tool (Notion) or local files (Obsidian)
- You might build a linked, interconnected knowledge base over time
- You want a simpler, more traditional note-taking feel
- You're already using Microsoft products (OneNote specifically)
- You only need notes on one or two devices
Where These Notes Might Go Next
Notes rarely stay notes forever. If you're turning rough notes into something more polished, our guide to AI tools for turning notes into professional documents covers that step. And if your notes are becoming a shared reference for a team rather than a personal archive, AI team knowledge bases covers the harder problem of keeping that reference accurate as things change.
What Trips People Up
- Choosing based on features you'll never use. Notion's databases and Obsidian's linking features are powerful, but if you just want quick text notes, they add complexity without benefit.
- Not planning for export before committing years of notes. Check how easily an app exports your data before you're deeply invested; plain-text tools like Obsidian make this trivial, proprietary formats can make it harder.
- Hitting Evernote's device limit mid-project. If you know you'll need three or more devices, choose a different app from the start rather than running into the wall later.
- Assuming OneNote requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription. It doesn't; the free version tied to a free Microsoft account and free OneDrive storage covers ordinary note-taking without a subscription.
- Skipping a backup of local notes. Obsidian's local-file approach means you are responsible for backing them up yourself; pair it with a cloud storage or backup tool rather than assuming they're automatically safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which note-taking app has the most generous free tier?
Obsidian is arguably the most generous since your notes are stored as local plain-text files with no cloud sync requirement and no device limit for local use, though its optional paid sync and publish features cost extra. Notion's free personal plan also offers unlimited blocks for individual use.
What's the real limit on Evernote's free plan?
Evernote's free plan restricts sync to two devices, according to its own plans comparison page, which is the limit people run into most often, wanting to check a note on their phone, laptop and work computer all at once.
Is OneNote free?
Yes, OneNote is free to use with a Microsoft account, with generous storage tied to your free OneDrive allowance, making it one of the more straightforward free options if you're already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Does Notion's free plan limit how many notes I can create?
No, Notion's free plan for individual use allows unlimited pages and blocks; the plan-based limits mostly appear around collaboration features like guest access and version history length.
Can I use Obsidian without paying anything at all?
Yes, Obsidian's core app is free for personal use with no feature paywall on the note-taking itself; the paid add-ons (Sync and Publish) are optional services for cross-device syncing and publishing notes online, not required for the app to work.
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