The best Google Keep alternatives to change

Not all note-taking apps are created equal when it comes to privacy. Keep GoogleFor example, it’s not as private as you might think. Sure, the chances of someone hacking your account are minimized thanks to things like 2FA, but people seem to forget that Google has full access to the contents of your account.

I guess you could argue that it’s no big deal, especially if your Keep account doesn’t store anything sensitive, like medical or financial records. Plus, Google has strict privacy guidelines, so it’s not like their employees are reading their notes during their lunch break, I hope. Still, the company can access your data if it wants, so you have to trust that it won’t do it randomly on a slow Tuesday. However, you will hand over your data if you receive a subpoena, as required by law.

I’ve been putting privacy at the forefront lately, which is why I’m saying goodbye to Keep and most Google apps. If you’re in the same boat as me, I want to walk you through the five best Google Keep alternatives you can switch to, regardless of whether you want a simple note-taking app or something with a little more features.

This is the one I’m currently using, so I’m putting it at number one. However, I’ll start by saying that it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea.

Obsidian It is very different from Keep. It’s local first, meaning all your data is stored on your device (phone, laptop, tablet) by default, ensuring Obsidian can’t see it. You don’t even need to create an account to use it and it’s free. Sounds great, right? Well, the problem is that you won’t be able to access your notes from multiple devices, and if that’s a priority (it’s mine) you’ll have to sign up for Obsidian’s Sync plan.

The free part ends here. Syncing costs money, so you’ll need a subscription that starts at $4 per month. The good news is that Obsidian offers end-to-end encryption that Keep lacks, so even though your data is stored on company servers, Obsidian employees can’t see it even if they wanted to. The app offers complete privacy, but you will have to pay for it.

In terms of features, the two apps couldn’t be more different. Sure, you can use Obsidian as a simple note-taking app, similar to Keep, but overall it has a lot more features and offers things like an infinite canvas that you can use to connect your notes and photos, and much more.

What you need to know is that while everyone can figure out how Keep works in a matter of minutes, Obsidian has a steeper learning curve. So if you’re willing to play with it a little, it’s a great alternative to Google Keep. But if you’re looking for simplicity, some of the other options on this list will suit your needs better.

Compared to Obsidian, Notesnook is much simpler and closer to Keep in terms of functionality. It’s cloud-based rather than on-premises, and while there’s a free plan available, you’ll need a subscription to get the most out of it.

End-to-end encryption is the default state of the app, ensuring that no one but you can see your data. You can create notebooks to organize your notes, set reminders, pin important notes for easy access, etc. There’s even a dedicated focus mode that clears all menus and tabs so you can focus on your writing. Basically, all the basic features, plus a few extras, are available at your disposal.

The app is open source and due to its zero-knowledge encryption, you can be sure that no one will sell your data to the highest bidder.

I tested it extensively, and while the user interface seems a little less modern and polished than something like Keep, I still enjoyed the overall experience. The price isn’t too bad if you opt for the Essential plan either, as it will cost you $1.67 per month or $19.99 per year. From there it goes up a lot and costs up to $7.5 per month if you want the Believer plan. That means it’s more expensive than Obsidian despite being less polished and having fewer features, but it may still be a better option for you due to its simplicity.

If you know, trust and maybe even use Proton App SuiteStandard Notes is for you. It was not built by Proton, but the Swiss company acquired the app in 2024.

There is good news and bad news, and I’ll start with the bad first. Unfortunately, it is not part of Proton Unlimited Plan which gives you access to proton mail, Drive, vpn, Approveand some other applications. You have to subscribe separately. The other problem is that it is far from cheap. While there is a limited free plan available, an annual subscription costs $90 for the cheapest plan and $120 for the most expensive.

If the free plan is good enough for you or you’re okay with the price of the app, Standard Notes is something I really recommend. I tried it out, and while it lacks the polish you’re used to in Keep, its old-school vibe gives it a specific character that’s missing from today’s apps that look and behave the same.

Managing notes within the app is easy thanks to folders and tags. There’s even a dedicated Files tab that shows all your uploaded documents in one place. Security is top-notch thanks to end-to-end encryption, 2FA, app locking, and even the option to lock your most sensitive notes with a password.

This is the app with the least features on this list. It is very basic, similar to Keep. That is not something we can oppose, since there is a strong demand. And because it’s relatively simple and not made by a large corporation, its price is incredibly affordable.

First of all, let’s talk about security. All data is encrypted, making sure you’re the only one who sees it. The company or person behind the app cannot ban or delete your account, which is a big plus.

Google automatically scans your Google account and in case there is anything remotely controversial (something that goes against company policies), the system can lock your account and recovering it can be a hassle. You won’t have this problem with Justnote. Google’s automated scanning system can make mistakes, so in some cases it can unreasonably flag an account, as evidenced by several Reddit posts I found recently.

I’ve given the app a spin and it’s amazing for what it is. I thought about using it full time, but I need a little more from my note-taking app, so Obsidian is my app of choice as it’s better for long writing. However, for those looking for something that allows them to take notes quickly without additional features that can get in the way, Justnote is a great option. And the best part: an annual subscription will only cost you about $5. Some of the others on this list charge more per month, so it really is a great deal.

I used to be a Notion user for years, but I abandoned the app because it became too complex for me, and the lack of end-to-end encryption, like in Keep, was something I didn’t like. That’s why I switched to Obsidian.

Any type It’s an interesting app because it’s kind of a hybrid of Notion and Obsidian. It is more like Notion, but has an offline approach like Obsidian with the zero-know cloud sync option.

While it can be used as a simple note-taking app, it is much more powerful than that. It’s best described as your second brain: a place where all your thoughts, documents, tasks, ideas, and everything else you track are stored. As you can imagine, that data is for your eyes only, so not even Anytype employees can see it. However, the app has a bit of a learning curve, so you’ll have to spend some time getting to know it.

Pricing is similar to Obsidian, starting at $5 per month. You can use it for free, but it has several limits that will probably push you to subscribe eventually.

Whether you want a simple note-taking app or a feature-packed one that puts privacy first, this list has you covered. I’m sticking with Obsidian for now, but I’d love to hear from you: which one would you consider switching to and why? Let me know in the comments.