Visual Note-Taking Apps in 2025
Visual note-taking is becoming increasingly popular for those seeking to organize notes, plan research, and generate ideas. Below is a summary of the top visual note-taking apps available in 2025:
1. Obsidian
- Free App: Uses Markdown for note-taking.
- Bidirectional Links & Graph View: Allows for linking notes visually.
- Canvas Feature: Organize notes visually including media and previous notes.
- Device Compatibility: Available on all devices.
2. Heptabase
- Paid Subscription: Ideal for research and academic purposes.
- Pin Notes & Block Referencing: Connect notes and reference important content.
- Multimedia: Integrates various media formats.
- Traditional Note Library View: Offers a structured visual organization.
3. Napkin
- AI Integration: Suggests important notes using AI.
- Capture & Organize: Focused on ideation and visually organizing notes.
- Growing Popularity: Increasingly favored for idea-generation tasks.
4. Logseq
- Free App: No pricing tiers, similar to Obsidian.
- Whiteboard Feature: Visual management in beta, supports multimedia.
- Additional Features: Includes daily notes and flashcards.
5. Scrintal
- Redesigned UI: Offers an attractive interface.
- No Mobile App: Lacks mobile application unlike Heptabase.
- Board & Library Type Views: Connects notes in a visual and enjoyable way.
- Comparison: Heptabase is more practical; Scrintal offers a better user experience.
6. MyMind
- Visual Capture: Combines visuals with text and bookmarks.
- AI & OCR: Uses AI for searching and includes document scanning.
- Premium Experience: Higher cost but easy to use, akin to Pinterest.
7. Milanote
- Project Management & Note-Taking: Blends both in a canvas-like mode.
- Boards & Tasks: Add tasks and connect other apps.
- Mobile App: Robust mobile interface for creatives.
8. Google Keep
- Post-It Note Analogy: Quick note-taking akin to sticky notes.
- Features: Supports images, checklists, and reminders.
- Powerful Search: Provides search capabilities for images, colors, and labels.
- Usage: Different from canvas-style apps but effective for visual capture.
9. Miro
- Team Collaboration: Popular for collaborative projects.
- Limitations: Free tier limits to three boards per individual.
- Templates & Mirrorverse: Offers templates for SWOT analysis and more.
Additional Resources
- Tool Finder: Visit Tool Finder.org for more resources and guides on note-taking apps.
- Free Guide: Download a free PDF guide for navigating note-taking apps.
- Tool.co: Use their scorecards for deeper insights into available apps.
These apps offer a range of options for those interested in visual note-taking, from free solutions like Obsidian and Logseq to premium experiences like MyMind and collaborative platforms like Miro. Explore these tools to find the best fit for your note-taking needs.