The Best AI Note-Taking Apps We've Tested for 2026 | PCMag
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p~*:not(#readMore,#trust-badge,#commerce-group,.editors-note)]:!hidden" x-data="{ readMore: false }" :class="{ '[&>p:first-of-type~*:not(#readMore)]:!block': readMore }"> Although many of the best note-taking apps have similar features and interfaces, some now incorporate AI in innovative ways that help them stand out. Using AI for taking notes makes sense, no matter whether you want to brainstorm ideas, collect and archive information, or simply stay organized. AI chatbots can even help you expand on your notes, find related information, pick out action items, or summarize just about anything. PCMag has been covering note-taking apps for more than a decade, so you can trust that our picks are actually worth using. When dealing with anything AI-related, remember to fact-check everything.
Our Top Tested Picks
div:nth-of-type(n+11)]:hidden" :class="{ '[&>div:nth-of-type(n+11)]:!flex': showMore }"> Best for Brainstorming Albus Visit Site at Albus See It Best for Teams Mem Visit Site at Mem Labs See It Best for Research Copilot in Microsoft OneNote $0.00 at Microsoft See It Bottom Line Editors' Choice 4.5 Outstanding this.$refs.template.innerHTML, onCreate: (instance) => this.tippyInstance = instance, onShow: (instance) => { this.escapeHandler = (e) => { if (e.key === 'Escape') instance.hide(); }; window.addEventListener('keydown', this.escapeHandler); }, onHide: (instance) => { if (this.escapeHandler) { window.removeEventListener('keydown', this.escapeHandler); this.escapeHandler = null; } }, onMount: (instance) => { const closeBtn = instance.popper.querySelector('[data-tooltip-close]'); if (closeBtn) closeBtn.addEventListener('click', () => instance.hide()); }, }; }, }"> What Our Ratings Mean 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies. With a fine-grained organizational structure, a generous free version, and an abundance of features, OneNote is a superbly versatile and complete note-taking app. Jump To See More Details product_name }} Review" x-track-ga-click>Copilot in Microsoft OneNote Review