Best Google Keep alternatives to switch to

Not all note-taking apps are created equal when it comes to privacy. For example, Google Keep is not as private as you might think. Sure, things like 2FA make it less likely that someone will hack your account, but people forget that Google has full access to the contents of their account.

I guess one could argue that this isn’t a 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 its employees are reading your notes during their lunch breaks – I hope. Still, the company can access your data if it wants to, so you have to trust that it won’t do so on Slow Tuesday. However, it will hand over your data if it receives a summons as per law.

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

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

Very different from Obsidian Keep. It’s local-first, meaning all your data is stored on your device (phone, laptop, tablet) by default, making sure Obsidian can’t see it. You don’t even need to create an account to use it, and it’s free. Feels great, doesn’t it? Well, the issue is that you won’t be able to access your notes from multiple devices, and if that’s a preference – it is mine – then you’ll need to sign up for Obsidian’s sync plan.

This is where the free part ends. Syncing costs money, so you’ll need a subscription which starts at $4 per month. The good news is that Obsidian offers end-to-end encryption that Keynote lacks, so even though your data is stored on the company’s servers, Obsidian employees can’t see it even if they wanted to. The app offers complete privacy, but you 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’s much more feature-packed, offering things like an infinite canvas that you can use to stitch together your notes and photos, and much more.

What you need to know is that while everyone can figure out how Keep works in a few minutes, Obsidian has a faster learning process. So if you want to play with it a bit, it’s a great alternative to Google Keep. But if you want simplicity, some of the other options on this list will be better for you.

Compared to Obsidian, Notesnuk is much simpler – closer to Keep in terms of functionality. It’s cloud-based rather than local-first, and while there is a free plan available, you’ll need a subscription to take full advantage of it.

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

The app is open-source, and because of its zero-knowledge encryption, you can rest assured that no one will sell your data to the highest bidder.

I’ve tested it extensively, and while the UI feels a little less modern and polished than something like Keep, I still enjoyed the overall experience. The pricing isn’t that bad either, as it will cost you $1.67 per month or $19.99 per year if you choose the Essentials plan. It goes up a lot from there if you want the Believer plan, which costs $7.5 per month. This means it is more expensive than Obsidian despite being less polished and feature-packed, but due to its simplicity it may still be a more suitable option for you.

If you know, trust, and probably even use Proton’s apps, then Standard Notes is for you. It was not created by Proton, but the Swiss company acquired the app in 2024.

There’s good news and bad news, and I’ll start with the bad news first. Unfortunately, this is not part of Proton Unlimited Plan which gives you access proton mail, To drive, vpn, passAnd some other apps. You will have to take a separate subscription for it. The second issue is that it is far from cheap. While there is a limited free plan available, the annual subscription is $90 for the cheapest plan and $120 for the most expensive plan.

If the free plan is enough for you or you are okay with the app’s price tag, then Standard Notes is something I really recommend. I tested it, and although it lacks the polish you’re used to on Keep, its old-school vibe gives it a distinctive character that’s missing from today’s apps that all look and behave the same.

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

This is the least featured app on this list. It’s very basic, similar to Keep. This is not something we can stop because there is a huge demand for it. And since it’s relatively simple and not made by a big corporation, its price is incredibly affordable.

First, let’s talk security. All data is encrypted, ensuring that you are the only one who can see it. Your account cannot be banned or deleted by the company or person behind the app, which is a major plus.

Google automatically scans your Google account, and if there’s anything controversial on it – something against company policies – the system may block your account, and getting it back can be a hassle. With JustNote you won’t have this problem. Google’s automated scanning system can make mistakes, so it may inappropriately flag an account in some cases, as evidenced by several Reddit posts I came across recently.

I’ve given the app a new twist, and it’s incredible for what it is. I thought about using it full-time, but I need something more from my note taking app, so Obsidian is my app of choice because it’s better for writing for longer periods of time. However, for those who are looking for something that lets them write notes quickly without any extra features getting in the way, JustNote is a great option. And the best part: an annual subscription will only cost you $5. Some of the others on this list charge more per month, so this is actually a great deal.

I was a Notion user for years, but abandoned the app because it became a bit complicated for me, and the lack of end-to-end encryption – just like Keep – was something I wasn’t happy with. That’s why I switched to Obsidian.

Anytype is an interesting app because it’s kind of a mix of Notion and Obsidian. It looks and feels like Notion but has an offline-first approach like Obsidian with the option for zero-knowledge cloud sync.

Although it can be used as a simple note taking app, it is much more powerful than that. It’s best to describe it as your second brain – a place where all your thoughts, documents, tasks, ideas and everything you track is stored. As you would imagine, that data is for your eyes only, so no other employees can even see it. However, the app does have some learning curve, so you’ll have to take some time to get to know it.

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

Whether you want a simple or feature-rich note taking app that puts privacy first, this list has you covered. I’m sticking to 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.