Apple Notes review
7.9/10★★★★★Free built-in notes on Apple devices with Apple Intelligence writing tools and Image Wand
- Best for
- iPhone, iPad and Mac users who want simple, free notes with built-in AI
- Price
- Free
Free: Free with 5GB of iCloud storage - Platforms
- iOS, Mac, Web
- Made by
- Apple
What it is
Apple Notes comes free on iPhone, iPad and Mac, with handwriting, audio recording with transcription and math support. On Apple Intelligence devices it adds Writing Tools to proofread, rewrite and change tone, and Image Wand to turn rough sketches into images.
What the AI does
- Writing Tools to proofread, rewrite and adjust tone
- Image Wand turns sketches into images
- Audio recording with transcription
- Math in notes
Pros and cons
- Free and already installed
- Seamless sync across Apple devices
- Handwriting with Apple Pencil
- No Android app; Apple-only apart from iCloud web
- AI features need a recent Apple Intelligence device
- Can't ask AI questions across your notes
How it scores
Free, easy and private, but its AI is basic and it's tied to Apple hardware.
Feature checklist · 4 of 9
- Ask AI questions about your own notes (no)
- AI writing help (draft, rewrite or summarise) (yes)
- Records and transcribes audio or meetings (yes)
- Handwritten notes with a pen or stylus (yes)
- AI organises notes or surfaces related notes automatically (no)
- Web clipper or quick capture from other apps (no)
- Works offline (no)
- Useful free plan (yes)
- Apps for iPhone, Android and desktop (no)
Alternatives
See all Apple Notes alternatives, ranked →
- Microsoft OneNote 8.2/10Students and Microsoft 365 users who want free notes with optional Copilot
- Notion 8.1/10People and teams who want notes, docs and projects in one AI-powered workspace
- Craft 8.1/10Apple users who want polished, well-structured notes and docs with AI
- Goodnotes 8.0/10Students and tablet users who take notes by hand
Microsoft OneNote vs Apple Notes