Evernote Review: An Experience with the Popular Note-Taking App

By Maria | Last Updated on December 9th, 2024 10:12 am

As someone who’s constantly juggling various tasks and projects, I’ve always been on the lookout for tools that help me stay organized. That’s what initially drew me to Evernote, a popular note-taking app I’d heard so much about, especially with the wide range of Evernote integrations that streamline my workflow. After using it for a while, I can confidently say Evernote has some impressive features but also some areas where it falls short. Here’s a breakdown of my experience with Evernote, from its top features to its pros and cons.

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Top 5 Features of Evernote

Organized Notebooks and Tags: One of Evernote’s standout features is its structured approach to organizing notes. I can create different notebooks based on specific projects, topics, or categories. Within each notebook, I can tag my notes for better organization. This makes it incredibly easy to search and locate any information I need quickly. For example, if I need meeting notes from a month ago, I just search by tag, and it pops up.

Web Clipper: The Evernote Web Clipper has become one of my favorite tools, especially for research. It’s a browser extension that lets me save entire web pages, articles, or sections of content directly to Evernote. This is useful for clipping ideas or references without having to create a ton of bookmarks. I often use this feature to gather information for projects, saving articles to review later.

Searchable Handwritten Notes: Another useful feature is the ability to search handwritten notes. Evernote can recognize and search handwritten text, whether it's from a scanned document or a picture. As someone who sometimes jots things down on paper, this feature has been helpful. I don’t need to worry about manually typing out my notes; a quick scan and Evernote does the rest.

Task Management: Evernote has a built-in task management feature that lets me add tasks within notes. This helps me stay on top of specific actions related to different projects. I can set reminders and due dates to keep myself accountable. It’s not a full-scale task management tool like dedicated apps, but it serves my basic needs for tracking and prioritizing tasks without leaving the app.

Cross-Device Syncing: Syncing is a must-have feature for any productivity app, and Evernote delivers well on this front. I have Evernote installed on my phone, laptop, and tablet, and I appreciate that my notes are instantly available across all devices. Whether I’m working at my desk or on the go, I can easily pick up where I left off. It’s smooth and keeps me from worrying about whether I’ve saved my latest updates.

Popular Evernote Integrations

Evernote and Google Drive Integrations

An Evernote and Google Drive integration allows users to easily attach files from their Drive directly into Evernote notes. This feature helps centralize content, enabling quick access to important documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without leaving Evernote.

Evernote and Slack Integrations

An Evernote and Slack integration simplifies team collaboration by enabling users to share notes within Slack channels. This integration allows team members to view and discuss Evernote content seamlessly, improving communication and minimizing context-switching.

Evernote and Microsoft Outlook Integrations

An Evernote and Microsoft Outlook integration makes it easy to save important emails directly to Evernote. Users can organize their emails as notes, helping them keep track of essential communications and making it easier to reference past conversations.

Evernote and Calendly Integrations

An Evernote and Calendly integration allows users to automatically save notes or meeting details from scheduled events. This setup is useful for tracking meeting agendas, notes, and follow-up tasks, keeping everything organized within Evernote.

Evernote and Canva Integrations

An Evernote and Canva integration allows users to add visually engaging graphics and designs from Canva directly into their Evernote notes. This feature is perfect for adding a creative touch to notes, project plans, or brainstorming sessions, enhancing visual appeal and context.

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Pros of Evernote

Flexible Organization Options

Evernote’s notebooks, tags, and search capabilities allow me to organize notes in a way that makes sense for me. I don’t have to follow a strict structure, which means I can customize my setup based on how I prefer to work.

Ease of Access Across Devices

Having all my notes synced across multiple devices has been a big plus. It’s reassuring to know I can access my work from anywhere, whether I’m in a meeting, traveling, or just working remotely.

Web Clipping for Research and Reference

The Web Clipper is a game-changer for gathering information online. Instead of relying on bookmarks or screenshots, I can save relevant content directly into Evernote, making it easier to refer to later.

Supports Various Media Types

Evernote isn’t limited to just typed notes; I can add images, audio, attachments, and even PDF files. This variety makes Evernote versatile for different types of projects, whether I’m collecting visual references or recording audio notes.

Consistent Updates and Improvements

Evernote seems to regularly roll out updates to improve the user experience and add new features. I’ve noticed small tweaks and fixes that have made the app more intuitive over time, which I appreciate as a user.

Cons of Evernote

Limited Free Version

One of my main frustrations with Evernote is that the free version feels very restrictive. There’s a cap on monthly uploads and device sync, and some of the more useful features are limited to the paid plans. This can be a barrier for those who are just getting started with the app or only need it occasionally.

Price of the Paid Plans

Evernote’s paid plans aren’t cheap, especially when compared to some other note-taking apps. While the features in the paid versions are impressive, I often find myself wondering if the cost is justified, given the range of free alternatives available.

Complex for New Users

Evernote is powerful, but with so many features and customization options, it can feel overwhelming to newcomers. The learning curve isn’t steep, but it’s something I had to adjust to, and it could be off-putting for someone looking for a straightforward note-taking app.

Occasional Syncing Issues

Although syncing generally works well, I’ve encountered the occasional hiccup. Sometimes, updates take a bit longer to show up on all my devices, and I once lost a note draft because of a syncing error. It’s not a common issue, but it’s worth noting if you rely heavily on syncing for work.

Limited Task Management

The task feature is useful for adding simple to-do lists within notes, but it’s not as robust as a dedicated task management app. If you’re looking for an app that combines notes with advanced task-tracking features, Evernote might not fully meet your needs.

The Pricing Plan

Personal: The Personal Plan is priced at $14.99 per month, or $10.83 per month when billed annually ($129.96 per year). This plan is tailored for individuals and families who need efficient tools to organize their daily lives. Its primary focus is on streamlining personal and family schedules, ensuring tasks are managed seamlessly to keep everyone on track.
Professional: The Professional Plan is tailored for professionals or small teams seeking advanced features and collaboration tools to boost productivity. It costs $24.99 per user per month or $20.83 per user per month when billed annually, totaling $249.96 annually per user. This plan focuses on providing premium functionalities to streamline workflows and improve individual or team efficiency.
Enterprise: The Enterprise Plan offers customized pricing tailored to meet the specific needs of large organizations. It is ideal for businesses requiring advanced scalability, robust security features, and extensive customization options. This plan focuses on delivering tailored solutions to address unique organizational challenges, providing comprehensive support, and ensuring seamless integration with enterprise-level systems for optimal efficiency.

Final Thoughts

Overall, my experience with Evernote has been positive. It’s a versatile and robust tool that has helped me stay organized and keep track of my projects and ideas. The app’s flexibility and range of features have been beneficial for various types of work, from research to task management.

For anyone who values flexibility and doesn’t mind spending some time getting used to the app, Evernote is a solid choice. But if you’re looking for something simpler or free, there may be other options that better suit your needs. Evernote has been a reliable tool in my digital toolkit, and while it’s not perfect, it’s still one of the most comprehensive note-taking apps available.

Maria