Is Evernote still worth using?
Current state of Evernote
Evernote was once the go-to note-taking app, but after being acquired by Bending Spoons in 2023, it has undergone changes. The free plan now limits you to 50 notes and one notebook, which is very restrictive. Paid plans start around $10–$15 per month, depending on the tier.
The app still excels at capturing web content, PDFs, and emails, and its search can recognize text in images and handwriting. However, many competitors now offer similar features, often for less.
- Free plan: 50 notes, 1 notebook, 1 device (as of 2024).
- Paid plans: Personal ~$10/month, Professional ~$15/month (annual billing).
- Strengths: Web clipper, search, cross-platform sync.
- Weaknesses: Price, free plan limits, occasional performance issues.
Who should still consider Evernote?
If you rely heavily on web clipping and need powerful search across many notes, Evernote remains a strong choice. Long-time users with extensive note archives may find it hard to switch. However, if you're a new user or on a tight budget, alternatives like Notion, OneNote, or Obsidian might serve you better.
Evernote's future is uncertain, but it's still actively developed. If you value its specific features and don't mind paying, it can be worth it.
- Consider Evernote if you clip a lot of web content.
- Consider alternatives if you need a generous free plan.
- Consider alternatives if you prefer local-first or open-source apps.
Common mistakes
- Thinking Evernote is still free for unlimited notes; the free plan is now very limited.
- Assuming Evernote is dead; it's still updated, but its focus has shifted to paid users.
- Overlooking that many alternatives now match Evernote's core features at a lower cost.
