Best apps to take notes and organise them in 2025

Taking good notes is one of the most effective ways to improve your HSC performance. Whether you’re summarising key concepts, structuring essays, or working through tough math problems, having a clear and well-organised system will make your study process smoother and more efficient.

But here’s the problem: keeping notes neat, accessible, and actually useful isn’t as simple as just dumping everything into a Word document or scribbling in a random notebook.

A good note-taking platform should help you:

Store and organise information efficiently – No more digging through messy folders to find that one key formula!
Access your notes anywhere, anytime – Cloud sync is essential for switching between devices
Integrate multimedia – Images, diagrams, handwritten annotations, and even voice recordings can make your notes more effective
Customise your structure – Everyone has their own way of learning, so your platform should adapt to your style
Sync seamlessly with your workflow – The right software should make studying easier, not more complicated

Let’s break down the best note-taking platforms for HSC students, so you can find the one that works for you!

📝 OneNote – The All-Rounder

⭐ Best for: Students who like mixing handwritten and typed notes in a flexible layout

Why It’s Great:

✅ Completely free with a Microsoft account
✅ Syncs across multiple devices (PC, Mac, iPad, phone)
✅ Infinite canvas – You can type, write, insert images, and move things around freely
✅ Great for handwriting with a stylus

Where It Falls Short:

❌ The interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming
❌ The mobile app is a bit clunky for detailed notes

Verdict: If you like flexibility and want a mix of handwriting, typing, and multimedia, OneNote is one of the best free options out there.

📌 Notion – The Aesthetic Organiser

⭐ Best for: Structured, visual learners who want a polished, customisable layout

Why It’s Great:

✅ Highly customisable – Use pages, subpages, databases, and checklists
✅ Tagging and linking between notes makes it great for organising study materials
✅ Syncs perfectly across all devices
✅ Free for students!

Where It Falls Short:

❌ Steep learning curve – It takes time to set up a system that works for you
❌ No true handwriting support – Not great for math-heavy subjects

Verdict: If you love structure, organisation, and a clean aesthetic, Notion is amazing for managing large amounts of study material.

✍️ Evernote – The Powerhouse

⭐ Best for: Heavy-duty note-takers who need advanced search and organisation features

Why It’s Great:

✅ Powerful search functions – Even scans handwriting and images for keywords!
✅ Tag-based organisation helps you find things quickly
✅ Syncs across all devices
✅ Great for clipping articles and web pages for research

Where It Falls Short:

❌ Free version is limited – Premium costs extra
❌ Can feel overcomplicated for simple note-taking

Verdict: If you take a lot of notes and need powerful search and tagging tools, Evernote is a solid choice.

📋 Google Keep – The Quick and Simple Option

⭐ Best for: Minimalists who need a fast and easy way to jot things down

Why It’s Great:

✅ Sticky note-style simplicity – No clutter, just straight to the point
✅ Instant sync with Google Drive
✅ Easy to use on mobile – Great for quick notes and reminders

Where It Falls Short:

❌ Limited formatting options – No real structure for in-depth notes
❌ Not ideal for long-form study materials

Verdict: If you just need a quick and simple way to capture ideas, Google Keep is great. But for serious note-taking, it’s a bit too basic.

🍏 Apple Notes – The Built-in Classic

⭐ Best for: Apple users who want a seamless, no-fuss option

Why It’s Great:

✅ Completely free and works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac
✅ Supports handwriting and sketches with Apple Pencil
✅ Easy-to-use folders and tagging system
✅ Syncs instantly across all Apple devices

Where It Falls Short:

❌ No advanced features like deep customisation or interlinked notes
❌ Apple-exclusive – No cross-platform support for Windows or Android users

Verdict: If you’re an Apple user, Apple Notes is a simple but effective choice, especially if you prefer handwritten notes.

✨ GoodNotes – The Best for Handwritten Notes

⭐ Best for: Students who love handwriting and want to make beautiful, structured notes

Why It’s Great:

✅ One of the best handwriting experiences on iPad
✅ Great for annotating PDFs and past papers
✅ Organised notebooks and folders keep everything structured
✅ One-time purchase (no subscription required!)

Where It Falls Short:

❌ Only for Apple devices – No Windows or Android support
❌ Typing is possible, but not as smooth as other platforms

Verdict: If you love handwritten notes and want a powerful tool for structuring them, GoodNotes is one of the best options available.

No Matter What You Pick, Content Is King

The best note-taking platform is the one that helps you stay consistent and organised. But at the end of the day, great notes matter more than where you store them.

If your notes aren’t clear, structured, and useful, they won’t help you when it comes to crunch time before exams. Check out our other blogs for:

Want High-Quality Notes Without the Effort?

At Notes2u, we’ve got expertly crafted notes, exemplars, and resources made by top-performing HSC students. Instead of spending hours making notes from scratch, you can get access to:

✅ Detailed summaries for every subject
✅ Exemplar essays and extended responses to model high-scoring answers
✅ Scaffolds and study guides to help structure your responses

Save time, study smarter, and get ahead — check out Notes2u today!