I use my iPhone to jot down information, add recipes, and scrawl down uncensored ideas, so the ability to take notes is essential. I use Google Keep and Apple Notes on various devices, and deciding which to use might be difficult for most people. That’s why I’d like to compare the two apps and see where each shines. Let’s look at Google Keep vs Apple Notes to take notes on iPhone
Google Keep vs Apple Notes
I’m going to evaluate the two note-taking applications based on consumer-oriented features. To make things simple, I’d give each program a point at each comparison and then tally the results at the end.
1. Availability on Platform
Google Keep is the default app for Android handsets, although it has a lot more features. You can use it on Chromebooks, and even on the desktop without losing any features.
Apple notes are only available within the Apple ecosystem, and it comes preinstalled on every iPhone, iPad, and Mac you buy. Every note you make on any device will be synchronized with iCloud right away. However, by going into your iCloud account on a Windows PC, you can use Notes. There are, however, some limitations. On the web, you can’t employ formatting natively, and your session expires after a while.
Although Google Keep has native apps for both Android and iOS, you can still utilize Apple Notes on both devices via a browser, which doesn’t provide the same experience.
Score
- Google Keep: 1
- Apple Notes: 0
2. Notes Organization
If you take notes frequently, you know how important it is to keep them organized. Labels in Google Keep help you arrange your notes. Each note can be labeled, and all of them can be found under that label. Color-coding your notes is also an option. It’s good on its own, but I’d like to see Google Keep include folders in the future.
The Notes app in iOS 14 now has folder support, which is a win for Apple. You can either keep all of your notes together or divide them into folders. This round goes to Apple Notes because of how expertly they’ve integrated folders throughout the ecosystem.
Score
- Google Keep: 1
- Apple Notes: 1
3. Text Formatting
You can’t style your texts in Google Keep, so you’ll have to scribble them down as is. Keep is designed for on-the-go note-takers, and if they want to format their texts, they can utilize Google Docs.
Text style features such as bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough are available in Apple Notes. Indentation and text substitution are also supported natively. Simply select a section of text and format it. One thing to note is that while using a desktop browser, the formatting in Notes does not work. You may just copy and paste formatted text into your Notes and it will work. This also works on Keep.
Score
- Google Keep: 1
- Apple Notes: 2
4. Attachments
Notes are no longer limited to handwritten text; Google Keep now allows you to include links, photographs, checkboxes, scribbles, drawings, and even audio in your notes. The scribble notes are preserved as separate notes, and you can use your keyboard to type sentences. Google will transcribe your audio notes for you, so you’ll have both audio and text versions. It’s remarkable how accurate it is. You can either use plain text or use checkboxes to make a to-do list, but not both in the same note.
Checklists, tables, links, photos, and scribbles are all supported in Apple Notes. Despite the lack of an audio attachment, Apple Notes does an excellent job of implementing the existing functionality. For example, scrawled notes and written text can be combined in a single note, which is fantastic for iPad Notetakers. You may even draw shapes on the notes, which the notes will detect and clean up.
You can not only add photographs to a note, but you can also scan documents and attach them to it. Both Google Keep and Apple Notes have some unique features that give them an edge over the competition, and they both get a point on this one.
Score
Google Keep: 2
Apple Notes: 3
5. Security: Google Keep vs Apple Notes
Within Google Keep, there is no option to lock or safeguard notes. You can’t even lock the app with a password or biometric security. Apple Notes, on the other hand, has always had the ability to lock notes, which come in handy when you don’t want people to have access without a password. Apple Notes easily gets this one
Score
- Google Keep: 2
- Apple Notes: 4
6. Collaboration and Sharing
The note-taking program Google Keep features built-in sharing options, but they’re basic. You provide someone access to the note by sharing it with them. They can then begin changing your notes, but there is no way to restrict access to ‘View Only.’
When it comes to teamwork, Apple Notes offers a distinct advantage. Anyone with an Apple ID can open a note you’ve shared and begin altering it in the Notes app. You can set the access level to ‘View only,’ so people can just look at the changes and not make them. Apple notes, unlike Google Keep, create a clear distinction when a specific user makes a modification, which is marked with a color given to the user.
Although Apple Notes has a clear edge, Keep merits credit for their easy sharing method.
Score
- Google Keep: 3
- Apple Notes: 5
7. Search
For the first time, Google Keep and Apple Notes both do a great job with the same feature. Both applications have similar search capabilities, and you can search for terms within notes. Suggestions are also made based on attachments, lists, labels, recordings, locked notes, notes containing drawings, and so on.
Google Keep and Apple Notes both include search features.
Score
- Google Keep: 4
- Apple Notes: 6
Conclusion: Google Keep vs Apple Notes
Google Keep and Apple Notes are two well-designed note-taking apps that can be used on a range of devices. They integrate with other devices seamlessly, and you may include anything in your note, from links to photographs. When you compare the two, however, there is a clear winner based only on the score – Apple Notes. When you add any non-Apple device to the mix, Google Keep still wins. Yes, you can edit notes in Apple Notes on the web, but it’s not as convenient as having a dedicated app.
To summarize, Apple Notes is the clear victor if you primarily take notes on your iPhone. For everything else, use Google. What are your thoughts? Let me know on Twitter.
Also check How to Save Photos From Google Drive to iPhone.
