The 12 Best Note-Taking Apps for Chromebooks
Chromebooks are great note-taking devices because they’re cheap and cloud-based. There are ample note-taking and outlining apps with web-based, Android, and even Linux clients that you can use on your Chromebook. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1.Google Keep
Google Keep is Google’s own note-taking offeringwith a lot of neat features. If you lean toward Google, you might want to consider Keep.
Google Keep is geared toward short, simple notes like shopping lists. Google Assistant even has a shopping list with a similar interface to Keep.
Google Keep can turn a note into a Google Doc. You might outline an article or essay and then start working on your piece in Google Docs. If you’re working on a group project, you can also add collaborators to view a note.
On your Chromebook, you’ll likely use the web interface. There’s also an Android app. One possible disadvantage is Keep’s connection to Google. The company has acquired a reputation for unceremoniously closing services like Reader.
2.Google Docs
While Google Docs is a full-fledged word processor, it also works in a pinch for note-taking. If you use Google Keep, as mentioned before, you can open up your Keep notes in Google Docs. Google Docs can also automatically generate outlines from headings.
If you find yourself away from reliable Wi-Fi, you can save a document offline. It’ll resync once you have internet access again.
it’s possible to also bring in collaborators to work on documents. This has been one of Google Docs' selling points over the years.
Aside from the web-based version, there is also an Android app available. As with Google Keep, Docs is free, though if you need more storage, you can upgrade your Google Drive.
If you prefer to take notes by hand, Squid might be for you. Squid works with touchscreen devices to let you create handwritten notes.
With many touchscreen Chromebooks on the market, Squid might be an attractive option. If you like to doodle or draw with your notes, you might find Squid handy. You can mark up PDFs and images as well.
You get more features with a Squid Premium subscription.
4.Noteshelf
Noteshelf is another tablet-oriented digital note-taking app. Like Squid, it’s geared for handwritten notes. In addition to notes, you can mark up PDFs, record audio, as well as insert geometric shapes.
Noteshelf is available as an Android app and can connect to many popular cloud storage services, including Dropbox, Evernote, iCloud, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
5.Evernote
Evernote is one of the original outlining and notetaking apps. Despite the controversy over its pricing, it still offers a lot of features even if you have to pay for a premium subscription to really take advantage of its multi-device capability.
Evernote is well-known for its search features, though the most powerful searches are offered in the premium version.
The paid versions also have more storage capability, in comparison to the 60MB limit on the free tier. Evernote has a web-based version as well as an Android app.
6.Simplenote
Evernote’s pricing controversy meant that opportunities for competitors have opened up. And Simplenote is one of them. Linux fans will be pleased that the Simplenote client uses an open-source GPL 2.0 license. The server software is proprietary, however.
Simplenote is similar to Evernote as a note-taking app that can be synced across multiple devices. What sets Simplenote ahead of the latter is that it’s completely free.
Like Evernote, Simplenote has web and Android versions available, but a native Linux client exists for those who have the Chromebook environment installed and want a desktop app.
Simplenote uses the Markdown language to format notes.Markdown is widely used across the web, so if you know it, you’ll have an edge in using Simplenote.
You can also import notes from Evernote provided you export them from that app first.
Like Simplenote, Joplin is an open-source note-taking app. Similar to Evernote, there is a paid version of Joplin available, but it’s only if you want to use cloud-based features. It’s strictly optional, and there are other options if you want to sync across multiple devices.
If you have a Dropbox or OneDrive account, you can set Joplin up with those services. And if you live outside the EU, this is likely a better option since the pricing for Joplin Cloud is only in Euros and you might be hit with currency conversion fees.
Like Simplenote, Joplin also uses Markdown to format text. You’ll enter your notes in Markdown in one column and see the formatted output in the other.
Joplin is unique in having a terminal application in addition to web and graphical Linux clients.
8.Bamboo Paper
Like Squid and Noteshelf, Bamboo Paper is another app designed for drawing. Given that it’s backed by Wacom, a major maker of drawing tablets, it’s not surprising.
Bamboo paper, with its graphics orientation, caters to people who like to draw. It’s available as an Android app on the Chromebook.
You can also sync your notes using Wacom Inkspace.
9.Microsoft OneNote
If Google Keep and Google Docs are best suited for those heavily invested in the Google ecosystem, Microsoft’s OneNote is for those who are still steeped in Microsoft’s world.
OneNote’s feature set includes extensive tagging, collaboration, drawing over notes, multimedia, web clipping, and sharing capabilities.
If you have a Microsoft 365 account, you’ll find OneNote included with other traditional Office apps like Word and Excel.
10.Memo Notepad
Memo Notepad is a web-based application that looks very simple. You can type notes in an interface that resembles a notebook, and save your notes in the cloud to come back to them later.
Memo notepad is inherently cross-platform as a web app. An iOS version is already available, but the developers are promising an Android app soon.
11.Workflowy
Workflowy is an app that’s not as talked about but has some high-profile users, including New York Times columnist Farhad Manjoo.
Workflowy has web-based and Android versions available. While Workflowy is meant for managing workflows, it’s useful for note-taking and outlining, since these are part of organizing many projects.
Workflowy has a number of templates available. One of its main features is extensive search and the ability to drill down through headings and sub-headings.
There is a basic free version and a paid version with lots of storage and priority support.
12.Cursive
Cursive is yet another hand-writing note-taking appfor Chromebooks. This one is different because it’s from Google.
Cursive not only lets you take notes with a touchscreen and stylus, but it also uses gestures to perform editing commands.
Lots of Options for Note-Taking On Chromebooks
Chromebooks are great for note-taking because their simplicity makes it easy to get started.
While Chromebooks are easy to use, there are plenty of things to do to get the best out of them. You’ll be surprised at what you may accomplish on a Chromebook compared to standard PCs and Macs.
New to Chromebook? It can take a while to adjust, so here are the first things you need to know for your Chromebook.
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