Evernote vs Apple Notes: Which Should You Use in 2026?
A factual comparison of Evernote and Apple Notes covering pricing, features, and migration steps for teams deciding between the two note-taking apps.
Updated 2026-09 · 2026
Evernote
Note-taking and organization app with web clipping, search, and cross-platform sync.
Strengths
- +Powerful search, including text inside images and PDFs (OCR)
- +Web Clipper browser extension for saving articles and pages
- +Cross-platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, web
Weaknesses
- -Free tier limits to 2 devices and 60MB monthly uploads
- -Paid plans got notably more expensive after 2023 pricing changes
- -Interface can feel cluttered and slower than lighter alternatives
Best for
Individuals or teams who need heavy-duty search, PDF/document storage, and cross-platform (non-Apple) access.
Apple Notes
Note-taking app across Apple devices with syncing and collaboration features.
Strengths
- +Completely free with any Apple ID; no separate subscription for the app itself
- +Fast, native performance on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- +Built-in collaboration: shared notes and folders with real-time edits
Weaknesses
- -No native Windows or Android app (web access via iCloud.com is limited)
- -Search is weaker — no OCR search inside images by default
- -Storage tied to iCloud plan, so heavy attachments cost extra
Best for
Apple-only individuals or small teams who want free, fast note-taking with built-in device sync and don't need advanced search or cross-platform support.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan available | Yes (2 devices, 60MB/month) | Yes (unlimited, tied to iCloud storage) |
| Cross-platform support | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, web | Apple devices + limited web via iCloud.com |
| OCR / search inside images | Yes, built-in | No (basic text recognition in scans only) |
| Web clipping | Yes, Web Clipper extension | No native clipper (Safari share sheet only) |
| Real-time collaboration | Note sharing, no live co-editing | Yes, shared notes with live multi-user editing |
| Handwriting / stylus support | Limited | Yes, full Apple Pencil support |
| Document scanning | Yes (mobile app) | Yes, built-in scanner |
| Tagging/organization | Notebooks, tags, stacks | Folders, tags (limited nesting) |
| Offline access | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party integrations | Zapier, Slack, Google Drive, Salesforce | Shortcuts, Siri, limited third-party API |
| Storage limits | 10GB (Personal) / 20GB (Professional) monthly upload | 5GB free iCloud, up to 2TB paid |
| Pricing model | Per-user subscription | Free app, pay only for iCloud storage |
The Verdict
If you're already deep in the Apple ecosystem and don't need advanced search or cross-platform access, Apple Notes is free and good enough for most personal or small-team note-taking. Evernote is worth the subscription only if you rely on OCR search, web clipping, or need the same notes accessible on Windows/Android — otherwise you're paying for features you won't use.
How to switch from Evernote to Apple Notes
- 1In Evernote, go to each notebook and use File > Export Notes to export as .enex (preserves formatting/attachments) or as PDF/HTML for a quick backup.
- 2Since Apple Notes has no native .enex importer, convert exported notes manually or use a third-party migration tool, then copy content into new Apple Notes folders.
- 3Recreate your notebook structure using Apple Notes folders and tags — note that nested notebook stacks in Evernote don't map one-to-one, so simplify your hierarchy.
- 4Rebuild any Evernote integrations (Zapier automations, Web Clipper workflows) using Apple Shortcuts or Siri automations where possible, since Apple Notes lacks a public API.
- 5Turn on iCloud sync for Notes on all team members' devices (Settings > [Name] > iCloud > Notes) and set up shared folders for collaborative notes.
- 6Once verified, cancel the Evernote subscription and confirm no team members still rely on the Web Clipper or cross-platform (Windows/Android) access before fully cutting over.
Evernote vs Apple Notes: common questions
How do I export my notes from Evernote?+
Use Evernote's built-in Export feature: select notebooks, then File > Export Notes, and choose .enex (Evernote's XML format) or PDF/HTML for individual notes. The .enex format preserves formatting and attachments best if you plan to import into another app that supports it.
Can I import Evernote notes directly into Apple Notes?+
Not directly — Apple Notes has no native .enex import. You'll need a third-party tool (like Notes Sync or a manual conversion via Evernote's PDF/HTML export) or copy-paste notes individually, which is tedious for large libraries.
What features do I lose switching from Evernote to Apple Notes?+
You lose OCR search inside images/PDFs, the Web Clipper browser extension, notebook stacks, and cross-platform apps for Windows and Android. You gain real-time collaborative editing and native Apple Pencil support instead.
Is Apple Notes' free tier enough for a small team?+
It works if your team is entirely on Apple devices and note volume is low — the free 5GB iCloud storage fills up fast with photos and scanned documents. For teams needing more storage or non-Apple members, you'll need a paid iCloud+ plan or a different tool entirely.
How does the cost compare over time — Evernote vs Apple Notes?+
Evernote Personal runs about $130–180/year per user; Apple Notes is free unless you exceed the 5GB iCloud limit, in which case iCloud+ starts at $0.99/month (50GB) up to $9.99/month (2TB), shared across your whole Apple account, not per app. For a small team already paying for iCloud+, Apple Notes is effectively free on top.
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