Best Notes App? Apple Notes vs Notion vs Obsidian vs Notability

You forget the easiest to search anything you need. I just used notion and Apple notes. I can find weathered I need since my Home Screen with the spotlight even if I have close my apple notes app. I can search even part of the inside text from a note, but in notion I just can find the titles and have to position into the right place where my information is

@dailytekk - no need for a full new video, but after iOS17 Apple notes has backlinking. How would you see it today?

Notion on the IPAD is actually a Productivity Killer and a stress trigger. It is TERRIBLE on the ipad. Full of buggs, slow prossessing, and really really bad UX.

Me, in the corner, using Craft:

Superb video. High quality “props” and footage keeps my attention super locked on the video. Succinct info for each section (description, pros, updates). But since there are multiple sections provides a lot of information as well. Step up from other videos showing up in the same search

Please make a video on Obsidian on iPad, comparison between Obsidian on iPad vs Desktop ‼

So deeply covered! All of the relevant points!!!!! Thanks!!!!

very well done video, thanks

Evernote is the gold standard. I don't see how you can leave it out of the conversation.

For anyone considering Apple Notes but want back-linking, it'll be released in the next MacOS update.

why did you omit Freeform?

As a teacher, a major thing to consider is file management. I’ve always found the notebook feature in notabilities to be clunky. Good news has a great file management system.

Evernote have backlink now

what about Roam????

Great review, thanks. I think MD will be and needs to be the dominator in note-taking and digital writing world for better compatibility and structuring your notes as a natural part of writing them down is the only way to maintain them. Obsidian I will give a try, so. Cheers.

On correction about Obsidian. It actually has great apple pencil support through excalidraw! One of the developers of excalidraw is a user of Obsidian so he created a plugin that adds first class support.

For example, you can handwrite back links, create Mindmaps, embed note previews, use OCR, and even embedd live excalidraw documents in your markdown notes.

I recommend googling Obsidian and excalidraw because you can be up and running in a couple of minutes after installing the plugin!

Obsidian may seem barebones but you can just pop an image into your text way easier than other mark down apps (I use copy/paste for images and no matter where I move the text note, that image is still visible - Obsidian just adjusts the links automatically. And those 800 plugins? That's how your get your AI assistance, database and projects, OCR for images, voice recording, and, with the right theme you can have it looking pretty darn sparkly. I can appreciate you probably had limited time to look it over, but I've used all the apps you've mentioned, but Obsidian has become my go-to because if I need it to do something, I can set that up with either a plugin, or taking a look into the docs. The people who use it are pretty great about helping too. Anyway, just wanted to share what my take on Obsidian is. I am very glad to start seeing your videos again. You disappeared for awhile and it's great to have you back. I'll go sign up for that newsletter now!

Why do you not recommend OneNote? Very heavy user .. I like your opinion on the use

evernote, cross platform.

I switched from GoodNotes to Notability years ago, and every time I venture out to try to see if anything else has surpassed it, I’m always amazed that Notability is still the best in my opinion. They have absolutely nailed it.

The ability to replay your voice notes, and have it synchronized with what you were drawing or typing at the same time during the playback is genius.

Hey Chris, I don't really get why you compare Craft and Notion. I use both everyday and they are very different, especially regarding tables where craft lacks the database features.

In my opinion Craft is a bit more similar to Obsidian's use as a second brain but with a nicer design

I’m lovin Freeform that just came out

It would be great if there was a tool like Notion that also included the option to handwrite in a specific page. Does using an embed canvas work with the pencil perhaps?

Thanks Chris! Great framework for your notes process! I’m beyond excited that GoodNotes has voice recording added. NOW it’s the best! I agree with previous comment that overall for all users iOS, Windows, Android, OneNote is the best for cross platform. Apple Notes does have power, though!

I use OneNote because I use a PC for work, so it syncs there.

Looking forward to a detailed review of the Defter Notes app. Great video Chris, thank you!

Agenda is my fav for work notes.

I’m surprised you didn’t mention Noteshelf - my favorite note taking app and has been for many years. Very versatile and able to create and organize custom notebooks. Can type or use Apple Pencil. Lots of great features.

Why haven’t you mentioned OneNote? For me it’s the best note taking app if you want to use both the pencil and keyboard in tandem - nothing beats it on this part

How are you using ChatGPT?

I've tried most of these. They don't compare to OneNote. I'm not a Microsoft fan but OneNote is a solid program that works great.

What do you think of GoodNotes? I’ve been using it for four years or so. How does it stack up with the others?

@Chris! - You got me hooked on Craft, dude! And I'm NOT freaking out because it only got an honorable mention from you. I love it, but sometimes get a little shy of using it for everything since I see less media about it. Do you still use Craft? Love your vids. Love your energy!

Hey Chris, I'm curious how you created the smart folder to include "Handwritten" notes?

“wenDues” check this productivity app out for iPad ❤

Apple notes = $2000 iPhone and $3500 macbook

Key feature of Obsidian for me? I'm a developer and It handles code! You can put code blocks into your markdown and have them format properly. This lets you show code in our notes the way we see it in daily use. Oh, and in case you wondered it has dark mode. You can use Mermaid for design diagrams built in! Markdown, the notes language for obsidian should either be easy to pick up or already known by developers! I've tried Notion and switched over to Obsidian because the note entry was much more natural.

Hey, Chris, you can back link with apple notes but it has to be done through apple shortcuts.

Why no mention of GoodNotes

Good video Chris - thanks! I’m an Apple Notes fan, but went back to Notability temporarily as I need to scan class notes to PDF and annotate them. Another commenter noted (no pun intended) that you CAN create back links with Apple Notes. It’s pretty clumsy to do - IMHO Apple needs to streamline that capability. It’s less fiddly to do on a Mac. Lastly, you can also (sort of) do it on Notability but the linked note is web-based. Better than nothing, but not by much.

You left out the VERY BEST APP ON THE MARKET!!! ZoomNotes! It’s like trying to compare the Mall of America to a Mom and Pop shoe store!!! Or Tesla to a very low end Ford! No Comparison! ZoomNotes has layers, tables(regular and round) Automatic planner creation with all links done in minutes. It works with shortcuts and reminders and events added automatically. I can go to the grocery store and as soon as I drive up ZoomNotes documents it… and itpots the weather three times a day…. It has automation, infinite whiteboards, sub documents, 3D page page turning, on an on and on, way more than any one person would need but, like CorelDraw and Photoshop you just use what you need. BRILLIANT APP! I have used it for 4 years now and it is constantly getting better and better with new features.

Wow thanks so much perfect timing.
I have been looking for a note app to use.
Thank you love the video

I'm going to watch this, but first just blindly state where's Freeform?

You know what? GoodNotes just supported voice note, just like Nota did decades ago, and GoodNotes is THE best note-taking app!!

Apple notes is the best then Drafts.

No mention of Evernote, so is it just too messed up now to really consider? BTW I read they were acquired.

Absolutely good video! I love your diagrams and drawings! Congratulations for this new step forward in your videos! 🎉

What about Tana and LogSeq

Very usefull. Thank you for all your hard work to Bring us cuality information.