Apple Notes review

Apple Notes earns its place by being already there. On a Mac, iPhone or iPad there is nothing to install, and notes sync through iCloud, which gives every account 5 GB of storage for free. Apple's user guide shows how far it has come: you can record audio inside a note and get a live transcript you can search later, draw with the Markup palette, and type a sum that solves itself when you add an equals sign. Tags and Smart Folders keep a semester or a client list organized, notes can be locked with a password, and shared notes and folders let a group edit together. If storage runs short, iCloud+ costs $0.99 a month for 50 GB in the US. The limits come from the same design. Notes is built for Apple hardware, so anyone who also uses a Windows laptop or Android phone will want a cross-platform app, and there are no databases or linked pages for larger projects.

Who it is for

Students and professionals who use only Apple devices and want notes with no setup.

Price

Included with Apple devices and 5 GB of free iCloud storage; iCloud+ from $0.99 a month for 50 GB.

United States 4 (USD) $0.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Record audio in a note with live, searchable transcripts
• Markup palette for freehand drawing, shapes and text boxes
• Math that solves expressions inline when you type an equals sign
• Tags, Smart Folders and pinned notes for organizing
• Locked notes and shared notes and folders for collaboration

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Nothing to install or set up on a Mac, iPhone or iPad
• Strength: Searchable audio transcripts help with lectures and meetings
• Strength: iCloud+ upgrades start at $0.99 a month if 5 GB fills up
• Weakness: Built for Apple devices, so mixed Windows or Android setups are poorly served
• Weakness: No databases or linked pages for larger projects
• Weakness: Storage is shared with photos and backups in iCloud

Key facts

• Price: Included with Apple devices
• Free iCloud storage: 5 GB
• iCloud+ US prices: $0.99 for 50 GB, $2.99 for 200 GB, $9.99 for 2 TB a month
• Audio: Recording with live, searchable transcripts
• Security: Lock individual notes with a password

Where it ranks

Apple Notes is No. 3 in our Best Note Taking Apps verdict.