You've probably used the original Windows Sticky Notes app. It first appeared in Windows XP Tablet Edition in 2002, and it's become the go-to place to jot down notes, ideas, and so on.

4. Notability Notability is probably the best app for note-takers who want their notes to look pretty. It has many customization features for the script and sticker options for more organization.

advertisement 10-13-2023 TECH The cult of Obsidian: Why people are obsessed with the note-taking app The indie darling rejects everything you know about modern software. And its strategy is working.

AI-powered tools like OpenAI’s Whisper have enabled many apps to make transcription an integral part of their feature set for personal note-taking, and the space has quickly flourished as a result.

Apple Notes has been on a tear over the last few years with big feature updates. While the app used to lag behind third-party alternatives, now it’s easily among the iPhone’s best notes options.