Is Apple Notes Finally Catching Up To Evernote For Organization

For years, Evernote has been the gold standard in digital note-taking and personal organization. Its robust feature set—web clipping, cross-platform sync, document scanning, and powerful search—made it a favorite among professionals, students, and creatives alike. Apple Notes, by contrast, was long seen as a lightweight companion app: simple, fast, and deeply integrated with iOS, but lacking the depth needed for serious knowledge management.

That perception is shifting. With a series of steady updates over the past five years—especially since 2020—Apple Notes has evolved from a basic jotting tool into a surprisingly capable organizational hub. The question now isn’t whether Apple Notes is usable; it’s whether it can genuinely compete with or even surpass Evernote for everyday organization.

The answer depends on your needs. But increasingly, for users already embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the balance is tipping in favor of Apple Notes.

Feature Evolution: From Simple to Strategic

Apple Notes began as a minimalist app designed for quick reminders and scratchpad thoughts. Early versions lacked formatting options, folder structures, and even reliable syncing across devices. Today, it supports rich text editing, checklists, sketches, tables, file attachments, tags, shared folders, and end-to-end encrypted notes. It also integrates seamlessly with other Apple services like iCloud, Reminders, Safari, and Spotlight.

Evernote, meanwhile, has maintained its reputation for depth. It offers advanced organizational tools such as notebooks, stacks, templates, saved searches, and AI-powered content suggestions. Its web clipper remains one of the most refined in the industry, and its optical character recognition (OCR) allows users to search handwritten notes and text within images.

But complexity comes at a cost. Evernote’s interface feels cluttered compared to Apple Notes’ clean design. Performance can lag, especially on older devices or when managing large libraries. And while it supports multiple platforms, the experience is best on desktop—the mobile app often feels like an afterthought.

Tip: Use Apple Notes’ tagging system with consistent prefixes (e.g., #project-, #meeting-) to simulate Evernote-style notebook organization.

Organization Capabilities Compared

At the core of any note-taking app is how well it helps users organize information. Let’s break down key organizational features side-by-side.

Feature	Apple Notes	Evernote
Folders & Subfolders	Limited nesting; no true subfolders until recently (nested folders now supported)	Full notebook stacks and nested organization
Tags	Available (iOS 15+), searchable, but no tag hierarchies	Advanced tagging with saved searches and filters
Search Functionality	Text in images, handwriting, PDFs, and scanned documents (with OCR)	OCR + AI-powered semantic search (Premium only)
Web Clipping	Basic sharing extension; saves links and snippets	Dedicated Web Clipper with full-page capture, article mode, annotations
Cross-Platform Sync	iCloud-only; strongest on Apple devices	Available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, web
Collaboration	Shared folders with real-time editing	Note sharing, commenting, version history (Business plan required for advanced features)
Templates	No native templates, but reusable note drafts possible	Template gallery and custom template creation

While Evernote still leads in structural flexibility, Apple Notes has closed the gap significantly in areas that matter most to average users: search, accessibility, and collaboration. For someone who values speed and simplicity over granular control, Apple Notes now provides enough structure to stay organized without cognitive overload.

Real-World Workflow: A Mini Case Study

Consider Sarah, a freelance writer working primarily on a MacBook and iPhone. She used Evernote for years to store research clips, draft outlines, and client communications. But she found herself frustrated by slow load times, subscription costs, and inconsistent syncing on her iPad.

In early 2023, she switched to Apple Notes. She started using linked notes for project tracking, pinned important references, and leveraged tags like #client-A and #research-tech. She uses the scanning feature to digitize printed articles and adds voice memos directly into relevant notes during interviews.

After six months, Sarah reports higher productivity. “I don’t miss Evernote’s clippings as much as I thought,” she says. “The Safari share sheet does 80% of what I need, and everything opens instantly. Plus, seeing my notes pop up in Spotlight when I’m writing a related email saves me time.”

Her workflow isn’t as rigidly structured as before, but it’s more fluid—and just as effective. This reflects a broader trend: many users don’t need enterprise-grade organization. They need fast access, reliable sync, and minimal friction.

“People overestimate how complex their note systems need to be. Often, clarity and speed trump advanced features.” — Dr. Lena Torres, Digital Productivity Researcher, Stanford University

Step-by-Step: Building an Organized System in Apple Notes

You don’t need Evernote-level complexity to stay organized. Here’s how to maximize Apple Notes for structured personal knowledge management:

1. Create a Folder Hierarchy: Use top-level folders like “Work,” “Personal,” “Finance,” and “Projects.” Within these, create nested folders for sub-topics (e.g., “Work > Clients > Client X”).
2. Adopt a Tagging Convention: Use hashtags consistently. Examples: #action-item, #waiting, #idea, #meeting. Searchable tags act as dynamic categories.
3. Pin Critical Notes: Pin frequently accessed notes (e.g., weekly agenda, contact list) to the top of folders for instant visibility.
4. Use Linked Notes: Type “@” followed by a keyword to link to another note. This creates a web of interconnected ideas—ideal for project planning or research.
5. Leverage Scanning and OCR: Scan receipts, whiteboards, or documents directly into notes. You can later search for text within those images.
6. Share Collaboratively: Right-click a folder and choose “Share Folder” to collaborate in real time with colleagues or family members.
7. Set Up Quick Notes: Enable Quick Note (Settings > Notes) to swipe from the bottom-right corner on iPhone or use a trackpad gesture on Mac for instant capture.

Tip: Use the lock feature (via the three-dot menu) to secure sensitive notes with Face ID or password protection.

When Evernote Still Wins

Despite Apple Notes’ progress, there are scenarios where Evernote remains superior:

• Heavy Researchers: Academics, journalists, or analysts who rely on deep archiving, metadata, and saved searches will find Evernote’s filtering and tagging far more powerful.
• Cross-Platform Power Users: If you regularly switch between Windows, Android, and iOS, Evernote’s consistent experience across platforms is unmatched.
• Long-Term Knowledge Bases: Evernote’s ability to attach files, embed spreadsheets, and maintain complex hierarchies makes it better suited for building a second brain.
• Team Collaboration at Scale: Evernote Business offers admin controls, shared workspaces, and content governance that Apple Notes doesn’t approach.

Additionally, Evernote’s AI features—like summarizing notes or suggesting related content—are ahead of Apple’s current offerings. While Apple emphasizes privacy and on-device processing, which limits cloud-based intelligence, Evernote leans into AI to enhance discoverability.

Checklist: Can You Switch from Evernote to Apple Notes?

Ask yourself these questions before making the leap:

• ✅ Do you primarily use Apple devices?
• ✅ Is your note-taking focused on daily tasks, quick ideas, and light project tracking?
• ✅ Do you value speed and integration over advanced features?
• ✅ Are you willing to simplify your organizational model?
• ✅ Can you live without a dedicated web clipper or desktop-first interface?

If you answered “yes” to most of these, Apple Notes may not just be sufficient—it could be better. Simplicity reduces friction, and reduced friction increases usage consistency, which is the real key to staying organized.

FAQ

Can Apple Notes replace Evernote completely?

For many individual users, yes—especially those already invested in the Apple ecosystem. Apple Notes now covers 80–90% of typical use cases: jotting ideas, scanning documents, collaborating, and organizing with folders and tags. However, power users with complex workflows or cross-platform needs may still require Evernote’s deeper functionality.

Does Apple Notes support OCR and handwriting search?

Yes. Apple Notes uses on-device machine learning to recognize text in photos, scanned documents, and even handwritten notes (when written with Apple Pencil). You can search for words within images just as you would in typed content, provided the text is legible.

Is Apple Notes secure?

Apple Notes offers strong security. Notes synced via iCloud are end-to-end encrypted if two-factor authentication is enabled. Individual notes can be locked with a password or biometric authentication (Face ID, Touch ID). Unlike Evernote, Apple does not scan note content for advertising or analytics, prioritizing user privacy.

Conclusion: A New Era of Simplicity

The narrative around Apple Notes has changed. It’s no longer fair to call it “basic” or “underpowered.” With thoughtful use of folders, tags, linking, and scanning, it functions as a highly effective organizational tool—one that’s faster, more private, and more tightly integrated than Evernote.

Evernote still holds advantages in depth, customization, and multi-platform reach. But for the growing number of users who prioritize intuitive design, seamless sync, and frictionless capture, Apple Notes isn’t just catching up—it’s redefining what effective organization looks like in 2024.

The future of productivity may not belong to the app with the most features, but to the one you actually use every day. And right now, Apple Notes is becoming that app for millions.

🚀 Ready to streamline your system? Try using Apple Notes as your primary organizer for two weeks. Structure it with folders and tags, leverage Spotlight search, and see if simplicity boosts your consistency. Share your experience in the comments!