NotePlan review

NotePlan is for Mac users whose notes and to-do list are really the same thing. Every day gets an automatically created daily note where you capture tasks, events and ideas, and you can time-block tasks onto your calendar by typing. NotePlan reads iCloud, Google and Exchange calendars, so meetings and notes sit side by side. Beyond the daily page, you can build a network of notes with bi-directional links, use folders, P.A.R.A. or a Zettelkasten setup, tag with #tags and @mentions, and switch projects between list and Kanban views. Notes are stored in plaintext Markdown and sync through CloudKit or iCloud Drive, which keeps your data portable. The cost is the main hurdle: there is no free plan, the annual plan is $99 a year with a 7-day trial and the monthly plan is $12. For people who already run their day from a calendar, that price buys one app instead of three.

Who it is for

Mac users who plan their day in notes and time blocks

Price

Annual $99 per year ($8.33 per month) with a 7-day trial; Monthly $12 per month with a 3-day trial.

Annual $8.33 / month $99 paid annually
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Daily notes created automatically for tasks, events and ideas
• Time blocking on your calendar by typing
• iCloud, Google and Exchange calendar support
• Bi-directional links between notes
• List and Kanban views with filters

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Notes stored as plaintext Markdown, so you are not locked in
• Strength: Sync through CloudKit or iCloud Drive
• Strength: One subscription covers Mac, iPad, iPhone and web
• Weakness: No free plan, only a trial
• Weakness: $99 a year is among the higher prices on this list
• Weakness: Built for planning, so it is more than a simple notes app needs

Key facts

• Annual plan: $99 a year
• Monthly plan: $12 a month
• Trial: 7 days (annual), 3 days (monthly)
• Storage: Plaintext Markdown files

Where it ranks

NotePlan is No. 8 in our Best Note-Taking Apps for Mac verdict.