Best for quick notes and lists
Google Keep vs OneNote vs Samsung Notes: which note-taking app should you choose?
Choose Keep for quick, shareable notes, OneNote for structured notebooks and offline access, or Samsung Notes for handwriting and Samsung-device integration.
At a Glance
| App Name | Rating | Downloads | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Google Keep - Notes and listsGoogle LLC | 4.7 | 1.00B | Free |
 Microsoft OneNote: Save NotesMicrosoft Corporation | 4.6 | 1.00B | Free |
 Samsung NotesSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | 4.8 | 1.00B | Free |
How We Compared
Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, and Samsung Notes are free, ad-free note-taking apps with sync across devices. All three can capture everyday ideas, but they take different approaches: Keep favors speed and simplicity, OneNote offers more structure, and Samsung Notes is strongest for handwriting and Samsung devices.
This comparison weighs their Google Play ratings and availability alongside their note-taking strengths and trade-offs, so you can choose the app that fits how you capture, organize, and revisit information.
How we compared them
We compared each app’s Google Play rating, install count, price, in-app purchases, and ad status, along with its stated features and trade-offs. Store figures were read on November 11, 2026.
The comparison focuses on practical differences: simplicity, organization, collaboration, offline access, handwriting, and device compatibility. We did not conduct hands-on testing or compare performance.
Google Keep - Notes and lists
Google LLC
4.7
- Downloads
- 1.00B
- Price
- Free
- Category
- Productivity
- Android
- Varies with Device
quick notes, lists, and lightweight sharing
Keep is the simplest of the three for capturing an idea or making a list without navigating a complex notebook system. Its voice notes and collaborative features make it useful for quick shared reminders, while its 4.7 Google Play rating and 1 billion-plus installs reflect broad adoption.
That simplicity limits its reach: formatting is basic, rich text and advanced organization are absent, and it offers less depth for multimedia notes than OneNote or handwriting tools than Samsung Notes. Choose it for low-friction capture, not elaborate documents.
Pros
- Fast, straightforward interface for notes and lists
- Voice notes and collaborative features
- Free, with no ads or in-app purchases
Cons
- Limited formatting and no rich text support
- Less advanced organization than OneNote
Microsoft OneNote: Save Notes
Microsoft Corporation
4.6
- Downloads
- 1.00B
- Price
- Free
- Category
- Productivity
- Android
- Varies with Device
organized notebooks, multimedia, and offline access
OneNote offers the deepest notebook-style organization of these three and supports multimedia notes, collaboration, and offline access. Those strengths make it a better fit than Keep for substantial collections of notes and richer material; it has a 4.6 Google Play rating and 1 billion-plus installs.
Its broader feature set comes with a more complex interface that can take longer to learn, and the app can be resource-heavy. Sync issues have also been reported, while limited export options and gaps in advanced formatting may frustrate users who want a simpler or more flexible workflow.
Pros
- Advanced notebook organization
- Multimedia notes and real-time collaboration
- Offline access to notes
Cons
- More complex interface than Keep
- Can be resource-heavy, with occasional sync issues
Samsung Notes
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
4.8
- Downloads
- 1.00B
- Price
- Free
- Category
- Productivity
- Android
- Varies with Device
handwritten notes and Samsung-device users
Samsung Notes is the clearest choice here for handwriting: it includes handwriting recognition and a variety of note-taking tools, with especially close integration across Samsung devices. Its 4.8 Google Play rating is the highest of the three, and it has 1 billion-plus installs.
That advantage is less compelling outside the Samsung ecosystem, where features are limited compared with using it on Samsung devices. It also lacks collaborative note editing and advanced organization, so OneNote is stronger for shared, structured notebooks and Keep is simpler for quick lists.
Pros
- Handwriting recognition and varied note-taking tools
- Strong integration with Samsung devices
- Highest Google Play rating of the three
Cons
- More limited features on non-Samsung devices
- No collaborative note editing or advanced organization
Our Picks
Best for organized offline notebooks
Microsoft OneNote: Save Notes
Best for handwriting on Samsung devices
Samsung Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app is best for simple notes and lists?
Google Keep is the simplest choice for quickly capturing notes and lists, with voice notes and collaboration for lightweight sharing.
Which app supports offline note access?
OneNote is the clearest choice if offline access is a priority; offline access to notes is one of its strengths.
Which app is best for handwritten notes?
Samsung Notes is the strongest fit for handwriting, with handwriting recognition and a range of note-taking tools.
Which app should I choose for a Samsung phone?
Samsung Notes is a natural fit for Samsung devices because of its close integration with that ecosystem. Keep or OneNote may suit you better if you prefer simpler capture or more structured notebooks.
About This Comparison
This comparison is independent and provided for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Appxis.