It’s not every day that an app from an indie developer gets recommended at the top of the list, but this one really deserves it. Noto is a minimalist note-taking app that differs from the professional-looking design languages that most other apps in this category opt for. You can archive old notes, import or export data from previous backups, and filter or sort notes for better viewing.
Beyond the basics that any notebook app offers like tagging your notes, creating folders, and adding reminders, Noto goes a little further with a few specifics. Entering the app’s settings menu reveals options to change the app’s icon and font, and the ability to change the default screen when you launch the app. You can lock your notes with a password that cannot be reset if you ever forget the combination of digits. If you have long tracks saved, you can ask the app to remember the last scrolling position so you can easily go back.
There is a dedicated reading mode that removes all distractions, sets a specific brightness level and switches to full screen mode. To add the cherry on top, Noto is completely free and ad-free, and its source code is also available on GitHub. Pairing unique customization options with the app’s otherwise simple approach, Noto is a great way to take notes and organize them into categories.