Top nvALT Alternative Note-Taking Apps for Every Platform
Are you a long-time user of nvALT, the beloved fork of Notational Velocity, and finding yourself in need of a new note-taking solution? While nvALT has served many well with its additional features and interface modifications, the world of note-taking software is constantly evolving. Whether you're looking for cross-platform compatibility, advanced features, or an open-source option, there's a perfect nvALT alternative out there for you. This comprehensive guide explores over 25 apps similar to nvALT, helping you discover your next go-to note-taker.
Best nvALT Alternatives
From simple sticky notes to robust knowledge management systems, these alternatives offer a wide range of functionalities to suit diverse needs. Dive in to find the perfect fit for your workflow across Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, Linux, and more.
Google Keep
Google Keep is a free service from Google that offers a seamless note-taking and web surfing experience. It allows you to quickly capture thoughts, create checklists, voice notes, or photo notes, and syncs instantly across all your devices (Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, Chrome OS, Android Tablet, iPad, Chrome, Android Wear). Its features like shareable lists, location-based reminders, and visual organization make it an excellent and accessible nvALT alternative, especially for those already deep in the Google ecosystem.
Evernote
Evernote is a powerful, cross-platform (Freemium, $, $ $, Mac, Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Windows S, Android Tablet, Windows Phone, iPad, Apple Watch, Android Wear, Kindle Fire, Pebble) freemium app designed for extensive note taking, organizing, and archiving. It supports various note types including formatted text, webpages, photos, voice memos, and handwritten notes, making it a robust nvALT alternative for users who require comprehensive capture and organization features like tagging, OCR, cloud sync, and web clipping.
Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote, a freemium ($ $ $) part of the Microsoft Office Suite, is a versatile digital notebook application. Available across Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, Windows S, Windows Phone, iPad, Apple Watch, Android Wear, and Kindle Fire, it allows users to gather notes and information in one place, offering shared notebooks, syncing, and OCR. Its hierarchical structure, freehand writing, and robust features make it a strong nvALT alternative for those seeking a feature-rich, integrated solution.
Joplin
Joplin is a free, open-source (Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iPhone, Chrome OS, Android Tablet, iPad, Chrome, Termux, Firefox) note-taking and to-do application that emphasizes privacy and Markdown support. It can handle a large number of notes organized into notebooks, with robust search and tagging capabilities. Its end-to-end encryption, cloud sync options (Dropbox, Nextcloud, WebDAV), and ability to import Evernote .enex files make it an excellent and secure nvALT alternative, especially for privacy-conscious users.
Typora
Typora is a free (Mac, Windows, Linux, Electron / Atom Shell) Markdown editor that offers a seamless writing and reading experience by removing distractions and providing a real live preview. It supports tables, code fences with syntax highlighting, and LaTeX. Its minimalistic UI and WYSIWYG features make it a clean and efficient nvALT alternative for those who prioritize a distraction-free Markdown writing environment.
Standard Notes
Standard Notes is a freemium ($, $ $, Open Source, Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, Chrome OS, Android Tablet, iPad, Self-Hosted) app focused on simplicity and privacy. It provides end-to-end encrypted notes that sync across all your devices, ensuring only you can read your content. With features like Markdown support, extensibility by plugins, and self-hosting options, it's a strong nvALT alternative for users who prioritize security and a minimalist design.
CherryTree
CherryTree is a free, open-source (Windows, Linux, PortableApps.com) hierarchical note-taking application. It supports rich text and syntax highlighting, storing data in a single XML or SQLite file. Its tree structure, encryption, Markdown support, and portability make it a robust nvALT alternative for users who prefer a highly organized and secure desktop-centric note management system.
NoteLedge
NoteLedge is a commercial ($ $, $, Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, Windows S, Android Tablet, iPad) digital notepad for collecting information, connecting thoughts, and creating interactive notes. It offers powerful multimedia and creative tools, including audio recording, drag-and-drop, web clipping, handwritten notes, and PDF export. NoteLedge serves as a comprehensive nvALT alternative for creative professionals and students needing rich media support and project planning capabilities.
Paperwork
Paperwork is a free, open-source, and self-hosted (Web, PHP, Cloudron) alternative to services like Evernote and Microsoft OneNote. It focuses on note-taking and archiving with real-time collaboration and Nginx support. While it requires some technical understanding for setup (Docker, DNS, HTTP proxying), Paperwork is an excellent nvALT alternative for those who prefer complete control over their data and a self-hosted solution.
Notezilla
Notezilla is a commercial (Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, iPad) application that brings Post-It-like sticky notes to your desktop. It allows you to stick notes to websites, documents, and folders, set reminders, and organize notes into folders. With features like cloud sync, encrypted notes, real-time collaboration, and sticky notes functionality, Notezilla is a unique and effective nvALT alternative for users who prefer a quick, accessible, and highly visual note-taking method.
Choosing the right note-taking application depends heavily on your specific needs, preferred platform, and privacy concerns. Whether you prioritize advanced features, open-source transparency, or seamless cross-device syncing, this list of nvALT alternatives offers a diverse range of options. Explore each one to find the perfect fit that enhances your productivity and keeps your thoughts organized.