European Alternatives to Apple Notes
Apple's native note-taking app. Automatic iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.
Apple Notes Features
- Native integration with macOS/iOS/iPadOS/watchOS
- Automatic iCloud sync
- Sketches, scans, interactive lists
- Password-protected notes
- E2E encryption via Advanced Data Protection (opt-in)
- Proprietary source code
Price: Free (5 GB shared iCloud) / iCloud+ from 0,99€/month (50 GB)
Why leave Apple Notes?
- Advanced Data Protection (E2E) is disabled by default — your notes are accessible to Apple for most users
- Without Advanced Data Protection, Apple can access your notes to provide and improve the service
- Apple Inc. is headquartered in Cupertino (United States) and subject to the US CLOUD Act
- No desktop app outside macOS — exclusive to Apple ecosystem, strong lock-in
- Only 5 GB free, shared with Photos/Mail/Backup
Recommended : Standard Notes
End-to-end encrypted note-taking app, acquired by Proton in April 2024. Minimalist approach focused on longevity (notes-as-text) and maximum security.
Country : CH
Compatibility Scores
- Migration : 70/100
- GDPR : 100/100
- Features : 80/100
- Overall Score : 84/100
Standard Notes Features
- Free tier (unlimited plain-text notes)
- E2E encryption on all notes (titles + content)
- Native iOS/Android/macOS/Windows/Linux/Web apps
- Open source, independent audits
- Now backed by Proton (Switzerland, outside CLOUD Act)
- Productivity plan: spreadsheets, Markdown, rich text
Price: Free (unlimited text notes) / Productivity at 7,99€/month / Professional at 14,99€/month
Why this choice?
Standard Notes is our recommendation for Apple Notes users because its E2E encryption is ENABLED by default, unlike Apple's Advanced Data Protection which is opt-in (disabled for most users). Now backed by Proton (Switzerland) since April 2024, Standard Notes offers the same simplicity as Apple Notes with the added benefit of native Windows and Linux apps, freeing you from the Apple ecosystem lock-in.
Switch from Apple Notes to Standard Notes
Strengths
- E2E ENABLED by default (Apple ADP opt-in, disabled for 90% of users)
- Minimalist approach similar to Apple Notes
- Native cross-platform apps (Windows/Linux included, no Apple lock-in)
- Backed by Proton (Switzerland) — outside CLOUD Act
- Unlimited free tier for text notes
Weaknesses
- No native Apple Watch integration
- No native sketch or scan (Apple Notes excels there)
- Free tier limited to plain text (paid Productivity for rich text)
All Alternatives
- Standard Notes (CH) — Score : 84/100 (Recommended)
- Joplin (FR) — Score : 82/100
- AnyType (CH) — Score : 79/100