5 Notes Apps for Writers

Storyist

Storyist is a creative writing application for Mac OS X and iPad. Tailored for novelists and screenwriters, it provides a word processor, a cork board with support for index cards and photos, an outliner, and a project manager. It is very similar to Scrivener, so if you’re already using that, you definitely don’t need both! Storyist costs $59.00 for the macOS version and $19.00 for the iOS version.

Evernote

Evernote is an app designed for note taking, organizing, task management, and archiving. The app allows users to create notes, which can be text, drawings, photographs, or saved web content. It is the #1 notes app that I hear about, and while I don’t specifically use it, I can see the appeal. The interface is gooey, and adding in images to your text files makes it even better. There is a free version to try if you want it. The premium version for $7.99 per month offers syncing across devices, allows your texts to be searchable, and connects you to your Google Drive, Slack, or Email accounts.

Scrivener Scratchpad

If you’re using Scrivener for your work, you might not know that it has its own notepad for you to use. It’s called Scratch Pad, and it’s an ingenious one because you can keep it open all the time-even when your project isn’t open—as long as Scrivener is running. Find it in the tools section of your Scrivener application.

Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is a note-taking program for free-form information gathering and multi-user collaboration. It gathers users’ notes, drawings, screen clippings, and audio commentaries. I used this a lot to take specific notes for college classes, because I was already using Microsoft Office, I could create folders for each class, and then type out notes in those folders by lecture dates or subjects. Already included with a Microsoft 365 subscription for $6.99 per month, One Note is available to Mac and Windows users alike and has phone apps for iOS and Android.

Google Keep

Google Keep is a note-taking service developed by Google, is available on the web, and has mobile apps for the Android and iOS mobile operating systems. Keep offers a variety of tools for taking notes, including text, lists, images, and audio. Unlike the other apps, Google Keep is completely free. It has the same functionality as other note-taking apps, but in my opinion, the interface is basic, not very pretty or customizable in style.