The 12 Best AI Note-Taking Apps for iPhone in 2025

I’ve tested dozens of AI note-taking apps, searching for the ones that actually make life easier.

Some promise flawless transcription, others claim to boost productivity with automation, but let’s be real.

Not all of them deliver.

If you’re like me, you want an app that actually helps instead of adding more digital clutter.

That’s why I put together this hand-picked list of the best AI note-taking apps for iPhones.

And yes, I’ve included the best free option too.

Let’s dive in.

1. Notion – I Like it the Most

Pros:

• Powerful AI assistant for note organization and content generation
• Highly customizable with databases, templates, and integrations
• Seamless sync across devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• Supports multimedia notes

Cons:

• Can feel overwhelming for new users due to its flexibility
• Some AI-powered features require a premium subscription

Price: Free or $10/month.

Get it from: App Store

When it comes to AI-powered note-taking, Notion is hands down my favorite.

It’s not just a note-taking app.

It’s an entire workspace for productivity, organization, and collaboration.

I included it as my top pick because of its AI-enhanced capabilities, deep customization, and seamless cross-device experience.

What sets Notion apart is its AI-powered features.

With Notion AI, you can generate summaries, rephrase content, brainstorm ideas, and even translate text which makes it one of the best AI writing apps out there.

This feature alone makes it an incredibly smart assistant for anyone who takes extensive notes or manages large projects.

Whether you’re a student, freelancer, or business professional, AI integration helps speed up workflows.

Another reason I picked Notion is its flexibility.

Unlike traditional note-taking apps, Notion combines notes with powerful databases, allowing you to create task lists, content calendars, knowledge bases, and more.

You can structure your notes in a way that makes sense for your workflow, which is why so many people swear by it.

It also shines in collaboration.

You can share notes with your team, assign tasks, and leave comments.

All in real-time.

And with its clean interface, Notion balances simplicity and power perfectly.

The only downside?

The learning curve.

If you’re new to Notion, it can feel overwhelming.

But once you get the hang of it, it’s an absolute game-changer.

If you want an AI-powered note-taking app that does more than just store notes, Notion is the best choice.

Also read: Best AI calendar apps for iPhone

2. Microsoft OneNote – Best Free Option

Pros:

• Completely free with no hidden costs
• AI-powered features like text recognition and handwriting-to-text conversion
• Deep integration with Microsoft 365
• Unlimited note-taking with cloud sync across devices

Cons:

• Interface can feel cluttered compared to simpler note-taking apps
• Lacks advanced AI features like content generation or summarization

Price: Free

Get it from: App Store

If you’re looking for a completely free AI-powered note-taking app, Microsoft OneNote is the best option available.

Unlike many competitors that lock AI features behind a paywall, OneNote provides powerful AI-driven tools without charging a dime.

One of the biggest strengths of OneNote is its AI handwriting recognition.

If you take handwritten notes using an Apple Pencil or stylus, OneNote can convert them into searchable digital text with impressive accuracy.

It’s a game-changer for students, professionals, or anyone who prefers writing over typing.

Another reason I included OneNote is its tight integration with Microsoft 365.

If you use Word, Outlook, or Teams, OneNote makes note-taking effortless.

You can clip web pages, save emails, or embed Excel spreadsheets directly into your notes.

Plus, its cloud sync ensures that your notes are accessible on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Windows devices.

While it doesn’t have AI-generated summaries or smart suggestions like Notion AI, it does a fantastic job at organizing unstructured notes.

Its section-based structure mimics a physical notebook, making it easy to create and categorize notes.

The only downside?

The interface can feel cluttered if you prefer minimalistic note-taking apps.

But if you want an AI-powered note-taking app that’s completely free and packed with features, OneNote is your best bet.

Also read: Best AI chatbot apps for iPhone

3. Nebo – Best for Handwritten Notes

Pros:

• Best-in-class handwriting-to-text conversion with AI
• Supports both typed and handwritten notes in the same document
• Exports notes to Word, PDF, or even HTML
• Works seamlessly with Apple Pencil on iPad and iPhone

Cons:

• Premium features require a one-time purchase
• Not ideal for those who prefer pure text-based note-taking

Price: Free or $9.99

Get it from: App Store

For anyone who loves handwritten notes but wants AI assistance, Nebo is the best choice.

Unlike most note-taking apps that focus solely on typing, Nebo is designed to combine handwriting and text seamlessly.

This makes it the perfect AI app for students, researchers, and professionals who prefer jotting down ideas by hand.

The standout feature?

Its AI-powered handwriting recognition.

Nebo doesn’t just convert handwritten notes into text.

It understands your handwriting and lets you edit it just like typed text.

You can delete words with a simple scribble, join words together, or even create diagrams and equations that get converted instantly.

Another reason I included Nebo in this list is its flexibility.

Unlike apps that force you to choose between handwriting or typing, Nebo allows you to mix both within the same document.

You can jot down quick ideas in handwriting and later refine them with a keyboard.

All while keeping everything in a structured format.

Nebo also exports notes in multiple formats, including PDF, Word, and even HTML, which is a lifesaver if you need to share notes with others or integrate them into different workflows.

It’s a free app with a one-time purchase to unlock the full version.

This model makes it more affordable in the long run compared to subscription-based apps.

If you’re someone who loves handwritten notes but wants the power of AI to organize, convert, and enhance them, Nebo is the way to go.

4. Wave – Best for Audio Notes

Pros:

• AI-powered real-time transcription of audio notes
• Speaker identification and smart summarization
• Syncs across devices with cloud storage
• Clean and intuitive interface

Cons:

• Requires a subscription for full AI features
• Limited offline functionality

Price: Free, $8.99/month, or $21.99/year.

Get it from: App Store

If you’re someone who thinks better out loud or prefers recording over typing, Wave is the best AI note-taking app for audio notes.

Unlike traditional voice memo apps, Wave doesn’t just record.

It uses AI to transcribe, summarize, and organize your audio notes automatically.

The main reason I included Wave is its real-time AI transcription.

Whether you’re recording a lecture, meeting, or personal thoughts, Wave instantly converts speech into text with impressive accuracy.

It even identifies different speakers, making it a great tool for business professionals, journalists, and students.

Another standout feature is its AI-generated summaries.

Instead of scrolling through long transcripts, Wave automatically highlights key points and action items, making note retrieval effortless.

This is a huge time-saver, especially if you frequently review meeting notes or brainstorming sessions.

Wave also syncs your audio and text notes across devices, meaning you can start recording on your iPhone and access everything later from your Mac or iPad.

The app’s clean and modern UI makes navigation simple, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.

The downside?

While basic transcription is free, you’ll need a subscription to unlock premium AI features like advanced summarization and unlimited recording time.

Also, offline functionality is limited, so you’ll need an internet connection for real-time transcription.

Overall, if you want an AI-powered audio note-taking app that does more than just record, Wave is the best choice.

It’s perfect for busy professionals, students, or anyone who prefers speaking over typing.

5. Notta – Best for Multilingual Transcription

Pros:

• AI-powered transcription in over 40 languages
• High accuracy in converting speech to text
• Supports live transcription of meetings and calls
• Cloud sync for access across devices

Cons:

• Free plan has limits on transcription minutes
• Some languages may have lower accuracy than English

Price: Free, $14.99/month, or $114.99/year.

Get it from: App Store

If you’re looking for an AI note-taking app that excels at multilingual transcription, Notta is the best choice.

Whether you’re a student, professional, or traveler, Notta makes it effortless to convert spoken language into written text, with AI-powered accuracy across 40+ languages.

One of the biggest reasons I included Notta is its versatility.

It’s not just for transcribing voice memos. It can transcribe live conversations, meetings, podcasts, and even YouTube videos.

This makes it an invaluable tool for anyone working in international environments, conducting interviews, or needing accurate transcriptions of non-English content.

Another standout feature is real-time transcription for calls and meetings.

Whether you’re on Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams, Notta integrates seamlessly, letting you focus on the conversation while it captures every word in multiple languages.

Notta also provides AI-generated summaries, making it easy to extract key points from long conversations.

Plus, with cloud storage and cross-device syncing, you can start a transcription on your iPhone and review it later on your iPad or Mac.

The free version offers limited transcription minutes, which might be restrictive for heavy users.

However, the premium plans unlock more minutes and features like AI-powered summarization and exporting transcripts to various formats.

For those who frequently deal with multilingual conversations or need accurate transcriptions across different languages, Notta is the best AI-powered tool to rely on.

6. Minutes – Best for Meeting Summaries

Pros:

• AI-powered real-time meeting transcription
• Automatically generates structured summaries
• Action items and key points are highlighted
• Integrates with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams

Cons:

• Requires a subscription for advanced features
• Best suited for business users rather than casual note-takers

Price: Free, $14.99/month, or $99.99/year.

Get it from: App Store

When it comes to turning long meetings into concise, actionable notes, Minutes is the best AI note-taking app for meeting summaries.

It analyzes conversations and extracts key insights so you don’t have to sift through pages of raw text.

What makes Minutes stand out is its ability to automatically structure meeting notes.

Instead of a messy transcript, it organizes content into key discussion points, decisions made, and action items, making post-meeting follow-ups effortless.

It’s also fully integrated with popular video conferencing tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

This means you can enable real-time transcription during a meeting and get an AI-generated summary as soon as it ends.

Whether you’re in a brainstorming session, a team stand-up, or a client call, Minutes ensures you never miss important details.

Another great feature is collaboration.

You can share meeting summaries with team members, assign action items, and even export notes to tools like Notion, Slack, or Trello.

This makes it ideal for remote teams and businesses that rely on structured communication.

While the free version offers basic transcription, the premium version unlocks AI-powered summarization, action item tracking, and integrations.

If you attend frequent meetings and want an intelligent way to capture and summarize discussions, Minutes is an essential AI note-taking tool.

7. Notability – Best for Annotating PDFs

Pros:

• AI-powered handwriting recognition and searchable notes
• Seamless PDF annotation with Apple Pencil support
• Combines typed text, handwritten notes, and audio recordings
• Multi-note feature allows working on two notes side by side

Cons:

• Some advanced features require a subscription
• Limited organizational features compared to Notion or OneNote

Price: Free, $2.99/month, or $14.99/year.

Get it from: App Store

When it comes to annotating PDFs on an iPhone, Notability is, hands down, the best AI-powered note-taking app.

I included it in this list because it combines handwriting, typed text, and audio recordings, making it a powerhouse for students, professionals, and researchers who work with PDFs regularly.

One of Notability’s standout features is its AI-powered handwriting recognition.

You can write naturally with an Apple Pencil, and Notability makes your handwriting searchable.

So you can find important notes instantly.

This is a game-changer for anyone who prefers handwritten notes but still wants the convenience of digital search.

The app truly shines when working with PDFs.

You can import PDFs, highlight key sections, annotate with notes, and even record audio while reading.

It’s perfect for lecture notes, legal documents, or business reports.

Its multi-note feature lets you work on two notes side by side, making comparisons or cross-referencing effortless.

Another reason I love Notability is its AI-powered audio sync.

If you record a lecture or meeting, the app links your handwritten or typed notes to the exact moment in the recording, so you can revisit key points with a tap.

This is especially useful for students and professionals who need to review long discussions.

While Notability’s free version offers basic features, upgrading unlocks cloud sync, handwriting-to-text conversion, and unlimited note-taking.

If your workflow involves PDFs, handwritten notes, or lectures, Notability is the ultimate AI note-taking app to enhance your productivity.

8. Otter.ai – Best for Live Transcription

Pros:

• Real-time AI transcription with high accuracy
• Speaker identification and smart summaries
• Syncs with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams
• Searchable transcripts with keyword highlighting

Cons:

• Free plan has limited transcription minutes
• Works best in English, with limited multilingual support

Price: $16.99/month or $99.99/year.

Get it from: App Store

If you need a real-time AI-powered transcription tool, Otter.ai is the best option for live transcription.

It captures, organizes, and enhances voice conversations, making it a go-to app for journalists, students, and professionals.

What sets Otter.ai apart is its live transcription feature.

As you speak, the app instantly converts your words into text with impressive accuracy.

Whether you’re in a meeting, lecture, or brainstorming session, Otter ensures you never miss an important detail.

It’s one of the handy AI voice assistants I use daily to record notes on the go.

And if you’re curious about the other AI apps I use during my travels, here’s the full list.

The AI also identifies different speakers, labeling them automatically, which is great for interviews or team discussions.

Another reason why Otter.ai is a top pick is its deep integration with video conferencing tools.

It syncs directly with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, allowing you to generate automatic meeting notes without manually recording anything.

After the meeting, the AI even provides smart summaries, highlighting key takeaways.

Otter also makes organizing and retrieving information effortless.

Transcripts are fully searchable, so you can find specific keywords or phrases in seconds.

Plus, it allows you to highlight, comment, and share transcripts with your team, making collaboration seamless.

The free plan gives you 300 minutes of transcription per month, but upgrading unlocks features like advanced export options, increased transcription limits, and team collaboration tools.

If your work involves frequent meetings, interviews, or note-taking from voice conversations, Otter.ai is an essential AI productivity tool.

9. Fireflies – Best for Team Collaboration

Pros:

• AI-powered meeting transcription and summaries
• Integrates with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Slack
• Searchable transcripts with keyword filtering
• Collaboration tools for teams to comment and assign action items

Cons:

• Free plan has limited transcription minutes
• Less effective for casual conversations

Price: Free or $18/month ($10 if billed annually).

Get it from: App Store

If you’re looking for an AI-powered note-taking app designed for teams, Fireflies is the best choice for team collaboration.

I included it in this list because it not only transcribes meetings but also makes collaboration easier by allowing teams to highlight key points, leave comments, and assign action items.

Fireflies is built for workplace productivity, making it a game-changer for remote and hybrid teams.

It automatically records, transcribes, and organizes meetings, so no one has to take manual notes.

The AI-powered transcription is highly accurate and can capture discussions from Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and even uploaded audio files.

One of the best features of Fireflies is its AI-driven smart search.

You can type in a keyword, and the app will instantly pull up relevant sections from your meetings.

It even allows sentiment analysis, helping teams identify positive, neutral, and negative insights from discussions.

The collaboration features set Fireflies apart.

Team members can comment on specific sections of the transcript, highlight important moments, and assign tasks directly from the meeting notes.

This eliminates confusion and ensures follow-ups happen without endless email threads.

Fireflies offers a free plan with limited transcription minutes, while the premium plans unlock features like longer recordings, custom vocabulary training, and integrations with CRMs like Salesforce.

If your team frequently collaborates on projects, holds virtual meetings, or needs AI-powered insights from discussions, Fireflies is the perfect tool to streamline productivity.

10. QuickNotes X – Best for Quick Capture

Pros:

• Minimalistic and fast note-taking experience
• Supports handwriting, typing, and drawing
• Widget support for instant note creation
• Works offline with zero learning curve

Cons:

• Lacks advanced AI automation features
• No built-in cloud sync

Price: Free or $5.99 one-time purchase.

Get it from: App Store

If you need an AI-assisted note-taking app that focuses on speed and simplicity, QuickNotes X is the best for quick capture.

It’s designed for people who want to jot down ideas instantly without dealing with a complex interface.

Whether you’re sketching, writing, or typing, QuickNotes X ensures you never lose a great idea.

The standout feature of QuickNotes X is its instant access.

With its widget support and Apple Pencil compatibility, you can start writing immediately without navigating through multiple menus.

It’s perfect for capturing sudden thoughts, lecture notes, brainstorming ideas, or even quick doodles.

Even though QuickNotes X focuses on speed and simplicity, it still includes essential AI-powered features like handwriting recognition and text conversion.

If you prefer writing by hand, the app can automatically convert your handwriting into digital text, making it easy to organize and search through your notes later.

The offline functionality is another big advantage.

Unlike cloud-reliant apps, QuickNotes X works completely offline, ensuring your notes are always accessible.

Even when you’re on a plane or in a no-signal zone.

If you do want cloud sync, you can export notes to iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox for backup.

QuickNotes X is a great pick for those who value speed over complex AI features.

Whether you’re a student, creative, or professional who needs an instant note-taking experience, this app gets the job done effortlessly.

11. Freenotes – Best for Simplicity

Pros:

• Distraction-free note-taking experience
• AI-powered speech-to-text for hands-free note-taking
• Lightweight and fast, perfect for quick ideas
• No sign-up required, works straight out of the box

Cons:

• Limited formatting and organization options
• No advanced AI features like summarization or smart tagging

Price: Free, $19.99/month, or $39.99/year.

Get it from: App Store

If you’re looking for a straightforward AI note-taking app, Freenotes is the best for simplicity.

I included this app because not everyone needs a feature-heavy note-taking tool.

Sometimes, you just want a clean, fast, and efficient way to jot down thoughts.

Freenotes delivers exactly that.

Unlike other apps that bombard you with multiple menus, templates, and customization options, Freenotes keeps things refreshingly simple.

Open the app, type or dictate your notes, and you’re done.

The AI-powered speech-to-text functionality is a huge plus.

Whether you’re on the go, multitasking, or just prefer speaking over typing, Freenotes can quickly convert your voice into text with impressive accuracy.

This makes it a great tool for students, writers, or professionals who need to capture ideas effortlessly.

Another thing I love about Freenotes is that it doesn’t require an account or sign-up.

Just install the app and start taking notes.

No cloud syncing, no data tracking, just pure note-taking.

This also means faster performance, as it’s not constantly syncing in the background.

However, this simplicity comes with some trade-offs.

It lacks advanced AI features like note organization, smart tagging, or automatic summarization.

But if you’re someone who prefers a clean, efficient, and distraction-free note-taking experience, Freenotes is one of the best lightweight AI-powered note apps for iPhone.

12. Recall AI – Best for Smart Organization

Pros:

• AI-powered automatic note organization
• Context-based search for finding notes effortlessly
• Smart tagging to categorize notes without manual effort
• Seamless cloud sync across devices

Cons:

• Requires an internet connection for AI features
• Some features are locked behind a subscription

Price: Free or $10/month ($7 if billed annually).

Get it from: App Store

If you’re someone who takes a lot of notes but struggles with keeping them organized, Recall AI is the best choice for smart organization.

I included this app because it removes the manual effort of sorting notes.

Its AI-driven organization features do it all for you.

The highlight of Recall AI is its automatic categorization.

Instead of manually sorting your notes into folders, the AI analyzes your content and assigns smart tags, making it effortless to retrieve later.

Whether it’s a meeting note, class lecture, or shopping list, Recall AI instantly recognizes the context and organizes it accordingly.

Another impressive feature is the context-based search.

Unlike traditional search functions that rely on exact keywords, Recall AI understands the meaning of your notes.

So, even if you don’t remember the exact words you used, you can type a related phrase, and the AI will pull up the most relevant notes.

This is a game-changer for anyone dealing with large amounts of information.

The app also syncs your notes seamlessly across devices, ensuring that you can access them anywhere.

Whether you’re using your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, your notes stay updated in real-time.

While some of the premium AI-powered features require a subscription, Recall AI’s core functionalities make note-taking effortless and highly organized.

If you want an app that remembers and organizes your notes for you, this is one of the smartest AI note-taking tools available.

My Final Take

AI is transforming the way we take notes, and after testing so many apps, I can confidently say that each app on this list brings something unique to the table.

Whether you’re looking for a powerful all-in-one workspace like Notion, a free and reliable option like OneNote, or a specialized AI tool for voice notes, meetings, or organization, there’s something here for every note-taker.

For me, Notion stands out as the best overall AI note-taking app because of its seamless AI-powered features, deep customization, and effortless organization.

If you want something simple yet effective, Freenotes is perfect for distraction-free note-taking.

And if you’re after advanced AI-powered search and smart categorization, Recall AI is a solid choice.

At the end of the day, the best AI note-taking app depends on your needs.

Some people want an organized workspace, while others just need a quick way to jot down ideas.

Whatever your preference, these apps will make your note-taking smarter, faster, and more efficient than ever.

So, which AI note-taking app will you try first?

Let me know in the comments.

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