Free Alternative to Evernote
2 tools that cost $0
Evernote is a freemium note-taking app with device limits on free. These 2 genuinely free tools cover what most people actually use it for — with the real limits named. No forced subscription.
Quick comparison: free alternatives to Evernote
| Tool | Best for | Free model | Official |
|---|---|---|---|
| AppFlowy | Open-source privacy-first Notion alternative powered by Flutter & Rust. | open source | Official → |
| Draw.io | Security-first diagramming and flowchart tool with local file saving. | open source | Official → |
How we picked these
Evernote restricted its free tier to two devices. The free note apps here sync everywhere, support Markdown and keep your notes exportable. We matched the catalog's free and open-source tools to the job Evernote is used for, then named each tool's honest trade-offs. The goal is to help you drop a subscription without losing the work you care about.
AppFlowy — free pick in this category
Open-source privacy-first Notion alternative powered by Flutter & Rust.
Best for: Open-source privacy-first Notion alternative powered by Flutter & Rust.. By AppFlowy Team.
Draw.io — free pick in this category
Security-first diagramming and flowchart tool with local file saving.
Best for: Security-first diagramming and flowchart tool with local file saving.. By JGraph.
Free Evernote alternative FAQ
Is there a completely free version of Evernote?
Evernote is a freemium note-taking app with device limits on free, so there is no permanent free desktop version without payment. The tools on this page are genuinely free alternatives — open-source, free-tier or no-cost — not trials.
Will these free tools open my existing Evernote files?
It depends on the format. Many free editors in this category import common file types, but complex proprietary files may not round-trip perfectly. Check each tool's official docs before moving important work.
What do I give up by leaving Evernote?
Usually a smaller feature set, fewer integrations, or a steeper learning curve. The honest trade-offs are named on each tool above so you can decide before switching.
Are these really free with no watermark?
Open-source and free-tier tools listed here do not watermark your work. Some browser-based free tiers show ads or reserve a few extras for a paid plan, which we call out explicitly.
How did Qutaifan choose these?
Independently, by matching the catalog's free and open-source tools to the job Evernote is used for. No paid placements, no affiliate tracking links — every link goes to the official project.