Note-taking apps under $5 a month
5 note-taking apps under $5 a month, cheapest first. Zettlr starts at Free. Obsidian tops the list at $4. Prices checked November 1, 2026.
| Product | Best for | Per month, yearly plan | Checked | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zettlr | Markdown for academic writing | Free | November 1, 2026 | Visit |
| Simplenote | Fast free plain notes | Free | November 1, 2026 | Visit |
| Joplin | Free open-source notes with encryption | Free | November 1, 2026 | Visit |
| Bear | Apple-only Markdown notes | $2.50 | November 1, 2026 | Visit |
| Obsidian | Local-first Markdown knowledge base | $4 | November 1, 2026 | Visit |
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