Yes, several apps let you create and store notebooks without paying
You can create a notebook for free in multiple places. The most straightforward options are Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, and Apple Notes — all of which store your notes in the cloud at no cost. Notion and Obsidian also offer free versions, though they work differently and have different trade-offs around how much you can store and where your notes live.
The catch is not money — it is what you trade instead. Free apps make their money by showing you ads, selling information about how you use them, or offering paid upgrades for features you might eventually want. Understanding what each app does with your data and what limits come with the free version helps you pick one that matches what you actually need.
Key Takeaways
- Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, and Apple Notes are free, cloud-based, and require no payment or storage limits for basic note-taking.
- Notion and Obsidian are free but work differently — Notion stores notes on their servers while Obsidian keeps them on your device, and both have optional paid features.
- Free apps funded by ads or data collection (like Google Keep) track how you use them; apps you download to your device (like Obsidian) typically do not.
- Most free apps limit what you can do without paying — fewer collaborators, smaller file uploads, or fewer monthly edits — so check the specific limits before committing.
Google Keep: Fast notes with ads and data tracking
Google Keep is the simplest free option if you want to jot down quick notes, make checklists, or record voice memos. You get unlimited notes, unlimited storage, and access from any device where you sign in with your Google account. It syncs instantly across your phone, tablet, and computer.
The trade-off is that Google reads your notes to show you targeted ads elsewhere on Google services. Google Keep also does not have advanced features like nested folders, rich formatting, or offline editing on mobile — you can only view notes offline, not create new ones. If you need a simple, fast notebook and do not mind Google knowing what you write, this works.
Microsoft OneNote: More features, more complexity
OneNote is free and lets you organize notes into notebooks, sections, and pages — a structure closer to a physical notebook than Google Keep offers. You get unlimited storage if you use a Microsoft account, and it works on Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Android. You can embed images, audio, video, and files directly into notes.
OneNote is more powerful but also more complicated to navigate, especially if you are new to it. Like Google Keep, it is cloud-based and Microsoft can see what you write. The free version has no real limits, but if you want to use OneNote offline on a phone, you need a Microsoft 365 subscription (which costs money).
Apple Notes: Free if you own an Apple device
If you use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, Apple Notes is built in and free. It syncs across all your Apple devices through iCloud, supports rich formatting, checklists, sketches, and scanned documents. You can share notes with other people and collaborate in real time.
The limitation is that it only works on Apple devices — if you use Windows or Android, you cannot access your notes. Apple also reads your notes to improve Siri and other services, though the company says it does not use them for ads. The free version has no storage limits as long as you have iCloud storage available (you get 5 GB free with an Apple account).
Notion: Free but with monthly edit limits
Notion is a free workspace where you can build notebooks, databases, calendars, and task lists all in one place. It is powerful and flexible — you can customize how your notes look and organize them in ways Google Keep cannot do. Notion stores everything on their servers and syncs across all devices.
The free version has a significant catch: you are limited to 1,000 blocks edited per month. A block is roughly one line of text, so this limit is tighter than it sounds if you write a lot or edit notes frequently. Once you hit the limit, you cannot edit anything until the next month. Notion also shows you ads in the free version. If you collaborate with others, each person counts against the edit limit.
Obsidian: Free but your notes stay on your device
Obsidian is a free app that stores notes as plain text files on your computer or phone, not on Obsidian's servers. This means Obsidian cannot read your notes — they stay private on your device. You can link notes together, search across all of them, and use plugins to extend what the app can do.
The trade-off is that Obsidian does not sync automatically across devices the way cloud apps do. You have to set up sync yourself using a service like Dropbox or iCloud, or pay for Obsidian Sync (a separate subscription). Obsidian is also more technical — it assumes you are comfortable with folders, file paths, and plain text. If you want simplicity, this is not it. If you want privacy and control, it is worth learning.
What "free" really means for each app
| App | How it makes money | What it can see | Main limit in free version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Keep | Ads on Google services | Everything you write | No advanced features; mobile offline limited |
| Microsoft OneNote | Microsoft 365 subscriptions | Everything you write | Mobile offline requires paid subscription |
| Apple Notes | Apple services ecosystem | Everything you write | Apple devices only |
| Notion | Paid plans and ads | Everything you write | 1,000 blocks edited per month |
| Obsidian | Paid sync and plugins | Nothing (stays on your device) | Sync requires separate setup or payment |
How to choose based on what you actually do
If you write a few quick notes or lists each day and do not mind ads or data tracking, Google Keep is the fastest choice. If you need folders and structure and use Windows or Android, OneNote is better. If you only use Apple devices and want the simplest option, use Apple Notes.
If you write a lot and hit Notion's monthly edit limit, switch to Obsidian or OneNote instead. If privacy is your main concern and you are willing to learn how to set up file sync, Obsidian is the only one that keeps your notes completely private. If you need to collaborate with others in real time, Google Keep, OneNote, and Apple Notes all support that — Notion does too, but the edit limit applies to the whole group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from one free app to another later?
Yes. Most apps let you export your notes as text, PDF, or Word documents. Google Keep, OneNote, and Notion all have export options. Obsidian stores notes as plain text files by default, so moving them is straightforward. Plan to spend an hour or two organizing them in the new app, but you will not lose anything.
Do any of these apps work offline?
Google Keep does not let you create new notes offline on mobile, only view old ones. OneNote, Apple Notes, and Obsidian all work offline — changes sync when you reconnect. Notion requires an internet connection to work.
Which app is best for writing long documents?
OneNote and Notion are better for long writing because they support rich formatting, nested sections, and better organization. Google Keep is designed for short notes and becomes hard to navigate with long documents. Obsidian works well for long writing if you are comfortable with plain text and linking between notes.
Can I share my notebook with someone else?
All five apps support sharing. Google Keep, OneNote, Apple Notes, and Notion let you share a link or invite specific people to view or edit. Obsidian does not have built-in sharing — you would have to share the files manually or use a sync service that allows it.
What happens to my notes if the app shuts down?
With Google Keep, OneNote, and Notion, you can export your notes before that happens. With Apple Notes, your notes are stored in iCloud, so you can download them through Apple's website. With Obsidian, your notes are already files on your device, so they are yours no matter what happens to the app.