13 rules in 4 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 10.
Version 1, published 8 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cheapest paid plan", then to the name.
General note-taking apps for individuals. Meeting note-takers and team wikis are left out.
Systems 25 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Apps
An official app for each system, or a web app. Each one earns 3 points.
18
Works offline
You can read and edit notes on a computer with no internet connection.
7
Your data 30 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Notes as plain files
Notes are kept as Markdown or plain-text files on your own disk, so other apps can open them.
10
Export everything to Markdown or HTML
You can export all notes at once to Markdown or HTML.
6
End-to-end encryption
Synced notes can be end-to-end encrypted, so the vendor cannot read them, on at least one plan.
8
Open source
The source code of the apps is public under an open-source licence.
6
Features 25 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Web clipper
An official browser extension that saves web pages into notes.
5
Linked notes
Link notes to each other and see which notes link back.
5
Real-time collaboration
Several people can edit the same note at the same time.
5
Tables and databases
Database views of notes, such as tables or boards with properties you can sort and filter.
5
Handwriting and drawing
Write or draw in notes with a pen or finger.
5
Price 20 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Free sync
A free plan (not a trial) that keeps notes in sync on at least two devices.
10
Cheapest paid plan
The cheapest paid plan for one person, in US dollars a month, billed yearly. A product with no paid plan counts as $0. $4 or less earns 10 points, $6 or less 7, $8 or less 4, $10 or less 2.