How Much Does Evernote Cost?
Evernote offers a free version that allows you to add 60 megabytes of data each month. I don’t know of any other note-taking app that limits its free version in this way. Many other apps limit the total amount of data you can store in the cloud. The free version of Evernote does not work offline at all and can only sync data between two devices, which is another limitation I haven’t seen elsewhere. Due to these two restrictions, I wouldn’t even recommend considering Evernote as an option if you’re looking for a free note-taking app.
OneNote is a much better free app. You get 5 gigabytes of free storage. Google Keep offers 15 gigabytes of storage, though it is shared with other Google applications like Gmail. Some apps, including Obsidian and Joplin, do not provide syncing in the free version, but they work offline for free and can sync optionally using a third party like Dropbox.
The subscription prices for Evernote doubled in May 2023 when it was acquired by Bending Spoons. The personal plan now costs $14.99 per month or $129.99 per year. Personal accounts include 10 gigabytes of monthly uploads, which should be sufficient for anyone not constantly uploading videos or large files. You also get offline access to notes and deadlines, the ability to connect to Google Calendar, and many other benefits and features.
The paid versions of Evernote are expensive compared to alternatives. For example, if you pay $69.99 annually for the Microsoft 365 personal plan, you get 1 terabyte of storage with no limits for OneNote and everything else you want to store in OneDrive, plus email hosting and other Microsoft Office applications. If you use Google Keep with other Google applications, you can pay $43.20 annually for 30 gigabytes of storage or $100.80 annually for 2 terabytes, which includes email hosting and all Google Workspace applications. Apple Notes syncs with iCloud storage, which starts from $11.88 annually for 50 gigabytes of storage or $35.88 annually for 200 gigabytes of storage.
Many software bundles offer note-taking applications alongside other applications and features, all costing less than Evernote alone. It’s difficult to recommend Evernote in terms of price. There are reasons to use Evernote; price is not one of them.
Getting Started with Evernote
Evernote has a web version; desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, which provide the same user interface as the web version; and mobile apps for Android and iPhone/iPad.
When signing up for an Evernote account via the web, the site asks whether you want a free, personal, or professional account. Afterward, the site asks you a few questions about how you plan to use Evernote and then prompts you to choose a plan, but only the free plan is displayed. To continue using the free version, you have to click the “X” button that is nearly invisible in the upper right corner. Using the free version of Evernote means you are constantly exposed to promotions for the paid versions like this advertisement.
From here, you move to the main Evernote interface on the web, which looks very much like the desktop app. In the left sidebar are your notebooks. The right pane contains some tools, which you can customize if you have a paid subscription; otherwise, it just shows some of your recent notes and a sticky note. The left sidebar is the main way you navigate in Evernote.
It allows
you use Evernote’s OCR feature, it scans the images and enables you to search for specific text within them. This is incredibly useful for keeping track of handwritten notes or printed documents. For example, if you take a picture of a lecture slide or a whiteboard, you can later search for specific terms discussed during that lecture, making it easy to find relevant information without scrolling through every note.
Integrations and Collaboration
Evernote also offers various integrations with other applications, enhancing its functionality. You can connect it with tools like Google Drive, Slack, and Trello, allowing for seamless collaboration and sharing of information. This connectivity makes it an excellent choice for teams working on projects, as everyone can access and contribute to the same set of notes and documents.
Collaboration features also allow you to share notes or notebooks with others. You can set permissions to control whether collaborators can view or edit the notes, ensuring that your information remains secure while still being accessible to those who need it.
Conclusion
In summary, Evernote is a powerful tool for note-taking, organization, and collaboration. Its advanced features, such as web clipping, OCR, and various integrations, set it apart from other note-taking applications like OneNote. Whether you are a student, a professional, or just someone looking to keep their thoughts organized, Evernote provides the flexibility and functionality you need to stay productive.
You can capture images of whiteboards, presentations, business cards, advertisements, recipes, or anything else you want to save; you can rely on Evernote to make all the text in images searchable. It’s an incredible feature, although it’s not one hundred percent reliable. Sometimes, it misses something due to a glare on the picture or another issue, but it’s such a strong feature to have.
Powerful Search and AI Features
The traditional search bar also stands out. It’s quick and easy to use to find any note, whether you’re searching by the note’s name or something in its content or a tag you’ve added to it. Depending on your perspective, the search capabilities can be enhanced or complicated by the addition of smart search.
In theory, the smart search feature should allow you to ask a question in plain language and get an answer based on your notes rather than just typing in keywords in the search bar. In practice, as with many AI integrations like this, results can be mixed. It doesn’t lessen the greatness of the search, but if you’ve used an AI chatbot, you’re likely aware that large language models can cause “hallucinations” or generate information. It’s nice to be able to ask a simple question about your notes, like when your next trip is, but I wouldn’t advise relying on the answer without checking the source first.
Regarding AI, Evernote has some features that automatically feed small tasks. For instance, you can click a button in any note to tell the AI to “clean” the formatting. I can see how this feature could be generally helpful, but in testing, I found that sometimes it deletes entire paragraphs of text without changing the formatting at all. The feature also only works on short text snippets – if you have anything longer than about 1000 words, it won’t work.
Compatibility with Various Other Apps
Evernote integrates well with other applications, which is a big plus when it comes to incorporating it into your personal or professional life. For example, every paid member of Evernote gets a unique Evernote email address that they can use to forward messages to their Evernote account, turning emails into notes. The app can connect with Slack and Microsoft Teams so you can type a command in your workplace chat app, and the post will automatically show up as a note in Evernote. It works with workplace collaboration tools and other personal apps like Pocket.
If there’s an app or online service you wish to connect with Evernote and haven’t seen support, you can always check if the integration is possible through IFTTT or Zapier, as both support Evernote. IFTTT (which stands for “If This Then That”) and Zapier are online tools that help people connect applications that might not normally work with each other.
Evernote also makes it reasonably easy to switch to another note-taking app, which I appreciate. You can export any notebook to a PDF file, a web page, or an ENEX file. This latter format can be imported into OneNote, Apple Notes, and even Obsidian, among others, meaning you can take your Evernote notes with you if you decide the app isn’t right for you. What you can’t easily do is import notes into Evernote – the app provides vague instructions, which I was unable to follow.
Application
Hard to Quit
Despite its troubled past, Evernote is still a very good application – although it costs too much. It would be hard to part with if you have a decade-long note-taking habit, and that alone may make paying for Evernote worth it. However, its price and the very limited free version make it hard to recommend to anyone who isn’t already using it. As a result, Evernote is no longer the best option. Most people should look to OneNote instead, as it works just as well and is significantly cheaper. Anyone looking for a free alternative should try Joplin, another free application that has won the editor’s choice but has fewer features, works offline, and has a desktop interface similar to what Evernote abandoned years ago.
Evernote Features
Here are some key features of the Evernote application:
Ease of Writing and Syncing
Evernote allows you to easily write notes and sync them across different devices.
Powerful Search
Evernote provides a powerful search that allows you to easily find any note you wish for.
OCR for Images
Evernote can recognize text in images and make it searchable, making it easier to find the information you need.
AI-Powered Search
The AI-powered search in Evernote allows you to ask questions in plain language and get answers based on your notes.
Compatibility with Other Apps
Evernote integrates seamlessly with many other applications, allowing you to use it in your personal or professional context.
Web Clipping Tool
Evernote allows you to clip content from the web and save it for later reference, saving you time and effort in searching for information.
Other Features
Other features of Evernote include collaboration with others, offering free and paid storage, and support for various devices and applications.
Conclusion
Although Evernote is still a good application, it costs more than it’s worth. It can be hard to let go if you have years of notes stored in it, and that alone may make paying for Evernote worth it. However, its price and the very limited free version make it hard to recommend to anyone who isn’t already using it. As a result, Evernote is no longer the best option. Most people should look to OneNote instead, as it works just as well and is significantly cheaper. Anyone looking for a free alternative should try Joplin, another free application that has won the editor’s choice but has fewer features, works offline, and has a desktop interface similar to what Evernote abandoned years ago.
Source: https://me.pcmag.com/en/personal-home-products/20831/evernote
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