In an era where paper notebooks and diaries have been relegated to the background, devices such as Macs are essential for note management. Whether it’s for writing down an address, making a shopping list, keeping minutes of a meeting or taking notes in class, we can find excellent tools designed for macOS. That’s why in this article we’ve compiled the most outstanding applications for this, also taking into account those that sync with other devices such as iPhone or iPad via iCloud.
Notes Apps in the Mac App Store
There are many note-taking applications available in the Mac App Store. Their main advantage over those downloaded from the Internet is that certain parameters such as security or optimization are guaranteed, since these are two of the essential requirements for Apple to accept them in the Mac App Store. On the other hand, there is the issue of updates. Although those from the Internet are also updated, with these it is possible to configure automatic downloads without having to worry about doing it manually or going to the developer’s website.
Microsoft OneNote
Other tools in the Microsoft suite such as Word, Excel or PowerPoint are well known, but perhaps this one is not so well known. If you have not heard of it before, you should know that it is probably one of the most complete applications when it comes to managing notes. Beyond the typical interface for taking quick notes, it offers us a compendium of utilities that are very helpful in everyday life. From writing memos, making sketches or taking simple notes. It is even possible to make drawings, although this is somewhat cumbersome with a trackpad or mouse. In any case, you can customize each note to make it different and organize them in a very intuitive way.
Agenda
With such a name, this application leaves no room for doubt as to its usefulness. Among its most powerful functions is the possibility of having a powerful text editor with multiple formats, creating shared notes and having personalized templates to have on hand by default. However, it has many other uses such as those related to project management and the perfect organization that can be achieved. It is also possible to add tasks for the day like an agenda and view everything in a very clear way.
Bear – Private Notepad
Beyond being a note-taking app, Bear offers an excellent experience for distraction-free writing. It is more focused on text editors who seek to eliminate barriers when writing and focus on what interests them. You can create different formats, differentiate phrases or words with tags, add tasks for a specific day, add links to other notes and much more. Being multiplatform, it synchronizes perfectly with the respective iOS and iPadOS apps.
iA Writer
This app is very much in line with the previous one, as its main function is once again to encourage distraction-free writing. Its minimalist interface, features such as focusing on a specific part of the writing, its good organisation and great optimisation have also earned it several awards as one of the best apps available in the App Store. It is multiplatform, although unfortunately you will have to pay for it twice, once on the Mac and once on iOS or iPadOS.
Notebook – Take Notes, Sync
Not all applications are demanding, as there are other simpler ones like this one that can be very useful and even combined with other applications. Its mission is to create notes quickly as if it were a classic post-it. It has a multitude of very visual designs that will later be used to better identify the notes in the different pads that can be created and viewed at a glance. It has the possibility of creating lists and even making voice recordings within the same notes.
Notability
This may not be the first time you’ve heard of the existence of this app, as it is one of the most popular on devices like the iPad due to its tremendous possibilities for working with the Apple Pencil. However, on macOS it is no exception, as it offers interesting tools with which to create your own workflow and manage to have a digital notebook on your computer identical to the one you would have on paper, although with the always appreciable advantages that digitalization offers. Its synchronization with the aforementioned iPadOS app or the iOS app is perfect, allowing you to have all the notes on each device almost instantly.
Noted.
The most outstanding feature of this application is that it allows you to perfectly combine classic written notes with voice notes. In fact, it is possible to convert these notes to text in a really easy way. It is an ideal application for meetings, since it captures audio very well, eliminating all external noise that is unrelated to what you want to note down. Perhaps this is not the reason why it is suitable for all types of users, but for professionals it is a great tool to always have at hand on the Mac.
GoodNotes 5
Like Notability, this app is one of the most popular on the iPad, so it will also be interesting to download if you combine note-taking on this device and on the Mac. The desktop app also offers a minimalist interface focused on creating notes in an organized way and without putting any limits on creativity. If there is one thing to highlight about it, it is that it eliminates any barriers and allows you to reorganize and adjust the content and margins even after writing the note, as well as allowing you to add images and even audiovisual content. Without a doubt, one of the most recommended apps also for synchronization issues.
Native Notes App
Apple Notes, also known simply as Notes, is the default application found on Macs, iPhones, and iPads. Its interface is very much in line with the company’s other native applications. With a simple and minimalist interface, you could have more than enough without having to download anything at all. It lacks certain functionalities that are provided by others mentioned in this article, but it maintains others such as the creation of tables and lists or the possibility of scanning documents using an iPhone or iPad. Its synchronization, as is evident, is perfect and is carried out in seconds (although it depends on the internet connection). It is possible to create folders and subfolders and even store some notes only on the Mac. If your use is going to be simple, it could be more than enough for you.
