The question on which task list manager between Google Keep vs Evernote vs OneNote is best remains constantly unanswered for many people. With so many options already out there, and so many more coming up every day, it is difficult to simply call any of them as the best. Each has a few USPs. Many have common features.
At some point in time, all of them seem like bad copies of each other depending on which one you like. After all, only you can decide the best todo app for yourself depending on what features matter to you the most. In this post I will compare three popular todo or note taking apps –Google Keep vs Evernote vs OneNote.
Google Keep vs Evernote vs OneNote
Before we go deep into Evernote vs Google Keep vs Microsoft OneNote debate, let’s get an overview of them all:
| Features | Evernote | Google Keep | Microsoft OneNote |
| Platform | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web browsers | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web browsers, | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web browsers |
| Push Reminders | Available on all supported platforms | Available on Android and web platforms | Available on all supported platforms |
| Note sharing capabilities | Real-time collaboration and sharing across all platforms | Provides sharing and collaboration but with limited features | Real-time collaboration and sharing across all platforms |
| Geotagging | Available | Available | Available |
| Mail the Tasks | Customizable options for organizing tasks via email | Limited organizational options via email | Limited organizational options via email |
| Search | Advanced search functionalities | Basic search functionality | Advanced search functionalities |
| Archive | Available | Available | Available |
| Language Support | 39 languages | 44 languages | 34 languages |
| Account setup | Required | Not required | Required |
| Voice Support | Available | Available | Available |
| Widgets | Supports on all devices | Supports on Android devices | Supports on all devices |
| In-App Purchases | Free, Personal, Professional | Free | Free, Microsoft 365 subscriptions |
#1. Platform:
Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, and Google Keep are all compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and web browsers. They are easily accessible because of this feature. Not much else to say here..
#2. Push Reminders
Push reminders help you get notifications even when the app is closed. This saves you from missing any task possible. While Microsoft OneNote and Evernote provide their users with this option across all supported platforms, Google Keep offers push reminders on Android and web platforms.
#3. Share Your Notes and Collaborate
Microsoft OneNote and Evernote allow real-time collaboration and sharing across all platforms. Google Keep provides sharing and collaboration but has limited features compared to OneNote and Evernote.
#4. Geotagging
With geotagging, you can tag your photos, videos, and notes according to the location. This makes it easier to organize them. This feature is available on all Keep, Evernote, and OneNote.
#5. Google Keep Vs Evernote: Mail the Tasks
Evernote offers the most customization options for organizing tasks via email, allowing users to add tags, notebooks, and reminders directly from the email. If you choose OneNote or Google Keep, you will get more limited organizational options via email but still have a simple way to save tasks and notes from email directly into the app.
#6. Search
Evernote allows you to search for text within notes, notebooks, tags, attachments, and even handwritten notes. It also supports advanced search operators to refine search queries further. Google Keep offers basic search functionality, allowing you to search for text within notes. With OneNote, you can search for text within notes, notebooks, sections, and pages. It also supports searching handwritten notes and text within images or scanned documents.
#7. Size
For those of you who care about the size, Google Keep (8.7 MB) is the smallest, then comes Microsoft OneNote (78 MB) and then Evernote (87 MB).
#8. Archive
The archive feature allows you to move notes that you no longer need immediate access to, but don’t want to delete, into an “Archive” section. All Evernote, Google Keep, and OneNote have this option.
#9. Language Support on these todo apps
More often than not, people now resort to typing in their native language. Google for this reason supports 44 languages on Keep, with Microsoft OneNote supporting 34 languages, and Evernote 39.
#10. Google Keep Vs Evernote: Creation of an Account
If you’re not one for creating accounts just to be able to use your to-do lists, then Keep is the thing for you, as both Evernote and OneNote require you to create one.
#11. Voice Support
Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, and Evernote all have voice support and you can just do things by speaking, there is no need to type.
#12. Widgets
Adding widgets to the home screen allows you to have more flexibility and to see information at a glance, without going inside the app. Evernote and OneNote support this feature on all devices while Keep offers widgets on Android devices.
#13. In-App Purchases
Google Keep is completely free and does not offer any in-app purchases. In OneNote, we get a free option, Microsoft 365 Personal, Microsoft 365 Family, Microsoft 365 Business, Microsoft 365 Education, and Microsoft 365 Enterprise. On Evernote, we can do an in-app upgrade to a superior version. Evernote has three options available – free, personal, and professional.
Prices of these subscriptions may vary based on location.
Final Words
To sum up the battle on Google Keep vs Evernote vs OneNote – all these todo apps come with their fair share of pros and cons, with perhaps single unique features that’ll swing you in one direction. We hope this review has helped you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there any advanced search features available in Evernote, OneNote, and Google Keep?
While Evernote offers advanced search functionalities including text recognition within images, OneNote supports searching handwritten notes and text within images or scanned documents. Google Keep offers basic search functionality for searching text within notes.
2. Can I customize the appearance of my notes in Evernote, OneNote, and Google Keep?
Evernote and OneNote offer various text formatting options, such as font styles, colors, and bullet points, allowing users to customize the appearance of their notes. Google Keep offers limited text formatting options compared to Evernote and OneNote.
3. Do Evernote, OneNote, and Google Keep offer integration with third-party apps and services?
Evernote and OneNote provide integration with various third-party apps and services. Google Keep integrates with other Google services such as Google Drive, Docs, and Calendar.
4. Microsoft OneNote app vs desktop: Which one should I choose?
The app is suitable for casual users who prioritize mobility and simplicity, while the desktop version offers a more comprehensive suite of features and customization options for advanced note-taking tasks
3 Comments
Like the various aspect being explored in the article.
But I’d like to point out an error.
Wunderlust does have a widget, and it’s quite functional as it allows to mark tasks complete without opening the complete application.
Please recitfy.
The wunderlist widget for ios is not very functional as it only shows the tasks for that particular day.
I apologise for the error and thanks for the correction, i should have mentioned their efficiency on all platforms, and not written that it isn’t there at all.
@Achyut The wunderlist widget for ios is not very functional as it only shows the tasks for that particular day.
I apologise for the error and thanks for the correction, i should have mentioned their efficiency on all platforms, and not written that it isn’t there at all.
Will remember not to make such a mistake next time 🙂