5 Free Memo Apps
Choose by Workflow and Limits
Compare five options by device, content, and where you want to review a note. A notebook for photos and a tool for sending thoughts to your inbox serve different needs.
Three decisions before choosing
- Device: Start with Apple Notes for an Apple workflow; consider Google Keep, Simplenote, or Notion for Android and browser access.
- Content: Decide whether you need photos and handwriting or mainly short text.
- Destination: Keep a notebook or send thoughts to an inbox you already review. An existing Notion workspace or Obsidian vault can remain your place for organizing knowledge.
Compare the five options
On a phone, scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| App | Useful for | Free scope and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Notes | Photos, handwriting, document scans | Notes on Apple devices. iCloud sync shares the free 5 GB storage allowance. |
| Google Keep | Short notes and lists across devices | Use a personal Google Account; work accounts can have organization-specific controls. |
| Simplenote | Text notes and Markdown | Free service; image and PDF file uploads are not supported. |
| Notion Free | Longer pages, databases, a knowledge workspace | Unlimited pages and blocks for individuals; 5 MB per uploaded file and 7-day history. |
| Simple Memo | Send a thought to your inbox | For iPhone. Free: 3 sends/day; more sending requires Premium. |
Apple Notes: text and images together
A practical starting point for checklists, document scans, and handwritten notes on Apple devices. Some features require iCloud notes or on-device notes and are unavailable with other email accounts.
See Apple’s Notes guide and iCloud storage. Notes share cloud capacity with other data; this is not unlimited dedicated note storage.
Google Keep: short notes across devices
Useful for short notes, lists, and photos that you want to revisit on a phone and in a browser. Labels, colors, and pins help you find them.
For a longer document, Keep provides a route to Google Docs. See Google’s feature overview. For a work account, also check your organization’s usage rules.
Simplenote: keep the text simple
A free service from Automattic with Markdown, tags, and device sync. Once signed in and notes are downloaded, the apps support offline editing.
Consider another option for file attachments or particularly sensitive information: Simplenote’s help says notes are not encrypted at rest. See its official feature, offline, security, and export guidance.
Notion Free: develop notes into a workspace
Useful when notes become structured pages, tables, and databases. If you already review information in Notion, keeping it as your destination can avoid adding another review routine.
The official Free plan has unlimited pages and blocks for individuals, a 5 MB per-file upload limit, and 7-day history. Workspaces with two or more members have a separate block limit.
Simple Memo: capture into your inbox
Send text from an iPhone to a configured email address. For image notebooks, handwriting, or team editing, consider the options above. Obsidian users can also review the vault integration setup.
The free tier permits 3 sends/day. The Outbox and send history are encrypted on the device; the message passes through delivery infrastructure when sent. The inbox is not the only place data is held, and the service is not E2EE. See the privacy policy.
Check before committing to an app
Estimate your daily volume, attachments, and devices. Try saving, finding, and exporting a small note before moving a collection. Offline storage, device sync, and completed email delivery are different states.
Consider a paid plan when your actual workflow exceeds the free scope. Choose a place you will revisit instead of relying on a universal ranking.
Frequently asked questions
Are any memo apps completely free?
Which free app should I try on iPhone?
How many Simple Memo sends are free?
Does offline capture mean the email has arrived?
On desktop? Scan with your phone