A quick way of taking notes doesn’t always require a pen and paper. The best note-taking apps for the iPhone and iPad do things much better than writing by hand. It will keep you organized while letting you stay productive. The note-taking app has eventually changed the way you keep up with your on-the-go ideas, to-do-list, appointments, etc. All of them are stored digitally and are the greatest advantage of note-taking apps. Some of them have included advanced features and they will function just a way more than a simple text editor. If you want to try something other than Apple Notes, the default note-taking app, the App Store has a finite number of options. But this post covers the best note-taking apps for iOS that are inexpensive and those that cost you a little.
Best Note-Taking Apps for iPhone and iPad
Here come the best note-taking apps for the iPad and iPhone to keep up with your on-goings.
- Notability
- Noteshelf
- Simplenote
- GoodNotes
- Evernote
- Bear
- Microsoft OneNote
- Google Keep
- Zoho’s Notebook
Notability

Note-taking would be so much easy with Notability. It is one best note-taking apps for the iPhone with powerful features yet simple to use. Notability lets users create multi-media notes with embedding images, PDFs, memos, GIFs, etc. It supports sketching, doodling, and drawing just like you do on the paper.
It supports taking handwritten notes with or without the stylus. With Notability, you can record lectures and meetings. The presentation mode is a plus as it will let you present ideas in full screen without distraction. With multi-note support, Notability lets you work with two notes.
- It costs $8.99 and offers in-app purchases at varied prices.
Noteshelf

With the Noteshelf app on iPhone, you shall leave the paper behind. It is a multi-purpose note-taking app and work great for professionals, students, and journalists as well. With Noteshelf, users can take handwritten notes and personalize them with covers. It offers a wide range of pens, pencils, and highlighters with different colors and sizes.
Searching for the handwritten notes is a breeze as Noteshelf recognizes 65+ languages. Users can even record audio notes such as business meetings or lectures. With the multi-screen workflow, it supports working on two different notes simultaneously.
- It is a paid note taking app and costs $9.99.
Simplenote

Digital note-taking is much simplified with Simplenote on iPhone. This lightweight note-taking app records plain text notes. Users can further embed PDF files, audio files, etc. Since it organizes the notes using tags, you can browse, search, or sort notes by tags only.
With Simplenote, you can collaborate and work together to share ideas. Formatting support is available with Simplenote and thus you can use markdown. Most used notes can be pinned for easier access. It supports passcode lock and thus your digital notes will be kept safe and secure.
- It is free and has no hidden fees.
GoodNotes

Go paperless with GoodNotes on iPhone or iPad. It lets users take digital notes in the most beautiful form ever. Creating searchable handwritten notes is effortless and you can access it just from the pocket. Besides writing, you can sketch and draw notes using fingers or styles.
GoodNotes organizes all your notes in folders or subfolders and you can access it from one place. Write your ideas instantly and annotate them on the go with this best note-taking app for iPad. Add important notes to favorite and access them quickly. With iCloud support, all your latest changes will sync across your devices.
- It is a premium note taking app and it costs $7.99.
Evernote

Transform your iOS device screen into a digital paper with Evernote. It lets you write, gather, and capture ideas on the go. This is one of the best note-taking apps for the iPhone and iPad that supports creating notes in different formats. So, you can add text, photos, sketches, images, audio, screenshots, etc.
It supports searching within pictures and annotate it to give feedback. Evernote has tools to share, collaborate, and discuss topics with others. It can be used on everyday needs, business, and education. Thus you can create checklists, memos, agenda, lecture notes, etc.
- It is free and offers in-app purchase starting at $4.99.
Bear

Bear is one of the best note-taking apps for iPhone used by people of all kinds. It is designed to be flexible and keeps you focused on writing notes. Bear ensures your notes as well as the tags are private. With tags, organizing your notes is simple and quick.
It supports drawing and sketching using the style. Use custom icons to easily identify the important tags in the sidebar. It can search for what you need with the keyword highlights. Sharing your notes is easy as Bear supports multiple exporting options. Sync Bear notes over iCloud to access them from any of your devices.
- It is free to use while it has in-app purchases at $1.49/month.
Microsoft OneNote

Take better notes on your iPhone or iPad with Microsoft OneNote. It will capture your thoughts and ideas efficiently. With the organizational tools of OneNote, you can quickly organize all your digital notes. Search for the notes or add pins to those pages you use the most.
This best note-taking app for the iPhone has a variety of pen colors and settings. So, you can create handwritten notes and draw with your personal touch. With convert to shapes mode, OneNote will help you create your hand-drawn shape into a perfect structure.
- It is free note taking app without any subscription fee.
Google Keep

Make a quick note of your ideas or creativity on the go with Google Keep. With this best note-taking app for iPad, you shall add lists, photos, audio, etc. It supports organizing them with colors and labels for easy identification. Recording a voice memo on Google Keep record will be transcribed automatically.
You will not miss anything as it provides location and time-based reminders. Google Keep lets you access the notes faster with filter and search by color or attributes options.
- It is a free no-hidden fee note taking app.
Zoho’s Notebook

Create beautiful notes with Zoho’s Notebook on iPhone or iPad. Besides writing, the users add photos, audio, and sketches. The notebook supports creating and marking checklists, sketch ideas, and create handwritten notes. With the audio notecard, it records your meetings, lectures, and ideas effortlessly.
It will organize different notes into notebooks and it can be grouped together. The customization supports include changing the color of note cards, notebook cover, etc. The Notebook app lets you lock individual notes and notebooks with a passcode.
- It is a free note taking app.
Choosing one of the note-taking apps listed above on your iOS will keep your thoughts and ideas organized forever. Do you have any other interesting options? We are pleased to hear them as comments.