Google Keep and Apple Notes are both free, simple and quick. This guide is for anyone who wants an easy notes app and is weighing the two big built-in options. We compared what each does and where it runs, using official sources checked on 2026-11-01.
1
Quick notes and lists across Android, iPhone and the webGoogle Keep
Free with a Google account Google Keep is a note service for quick notes and lists with photos, audio, reminders, labels and colour coding. Notes can be shared and edited together and sync across devices. It works on Android, iPhone and in any web browser, which makes it a good fit if you switch between an Android phone and a Windows or Linux computer. It is free with a Google account.
Pick it if you use Android or mix devices, and want sticky-note-style lists with reminders.
2
Richer notes on Apple devicesApple Notes
Free with every Apple device Apple Notes is a note-taking app for writing and organising text, checklists, sketches, attachments, scans and links. It supports search, folders and tags, locked notes and collaboration, and syncs through iCloud. It comes free on Apple devices and also works on Apple Watch. You can open your notes in a browser through iCloud on other computers.
Pick it if you live on iPhone, iPad and Mac and want longer notes, sketches, scans and locked notes.
Your devices decide this one. If you use Apple gear, Apple Notes does more and is already there. If you use Android, or mix Apple and non-Apple devices, Google Keep is the smoother choice for quick lists and reminders. Both are free, so there's no cost to trying either.
