EverNote #3 : I want free tier but NOT Microsoft OneNote or Google Keep or Apple Notes

If you want a generous free tier that avoids the "Big Three" (Microsoft, Google, and Apple), your best options are Obsidian, Joplin, or Notion. [1] 

Each offers a completely different experience depending on whether you value data ownership, ease of use, or powerful project management.

1. Obsidian (Best for Privacy & Power Users)

Obsidian is unique because it is "local-first," meaning your notes stay as simple text files on your own device rather than a company's server. [2, 3] 

* Free Tier: The core app is completely free for personal use with no limits on the number of notes or features.

* Standout Feature: It uses bi-directional linking and a Graph View to show how your ideas connect, acting like a "second brain".

* Syncing: While Obsidian offers a paid sync service, you can sync your notes for free using third-party tools like iCloud, Dropbox, or Git. [3, 4, 5] 

2. Joplin (Best Direct Evernote Alternative)

Joplin is an open-source, privacy-focused app that feels very similar to the "classic" Evernote experience with notebooks and tags. [3, 6] 

* Free Tier: Entirely free to use with no note limits.

* Standout Feature: It offers End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) by default, so only you can read your notes.

* Syncing: You choose where your data lives. You can sync for free using your existing Dropbox, OneDrive, or WebDAV accounts. [3, 4, 7] 

3. Notion (Best for Organization & Databases)

If you need to organize your life with tables, calendars, and project boards, [Notion](https://www.notion.com/) is the top choice. [4, 8] 

* Free Tier: Free for personal use with unlimited pages and blocks.

* Standout Feature: It is an "all-in-one" workspace where you can turn a simple note into a full database or task manager.

* Catch: It is cloud-based only and has limited offline capabilities compared to Obsidian or Joplin. [2, 3, 8, 9, 10] 

4. Other Niche Free Options

* [Simplenote](https://simplenote.com/): Best if you only need text. It is fast, works on every platform, and is completely free with no paid tier at all.

* Zoho Notebook: A highly visual app that uses "cards" for different types of notes (text, audio, sketches). It offers unlimited notes and device sync for free.

* Standard Notes: Focused strictly on extreme security. The free version offers unlimited encrypted plain-text notes and syncing across all your devices. [3, 7, 11, 12, 13] 

Would you like to know which of these handles handwriting and PDF annotation the best?

[1] [https://zapier.com](https://zapier.com/blog/best-note-taking-apps/)

[2] [https://www.saner.ai](https://www.saner.ai/blogs/best-evernote-alternatives)

[3] [https://affine.pro](https://affine.pro/blog/best-free-note-taking-apps)

[4] [https://zapier.com](https://zapier.com/blog/best-note-taking-apps/)

[5] [https://clickup.com](https://clickup.com/blog/note-taking-apps/)

[6] [https://clickup.com](https://clickup.com/blog/joplin-vs-obsidian/)

[7] [https://www.xda-developers.com](https://www.xda-developers.com/open-source-note-taking-alternatives-to-notion-evernote/)

[8] [https://www.remio.ai](https://www.remio.ai/post/top-10-apple-notes-alternatives-for-2026-best-note-apps)

[9] [https://www.reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/16lxfwn/breakdown_of_the_best_evernote_alternatives_with/)

[10] [https://hive.com](https://hive.com/blog/best-note-taking-apps/)

[11] [https://fatstacksblog.com](https://fatstacksblog.com/note-taking-apps/)

[12] [https://www.techradar.com](https://www.techradar.com/pro/best-free-alternative-to-evernote-of-year)

[13] [https://rambox.app](https://rambox.app/blog/evernote-alternatives/)