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The best Evernote alternatives

For notes you own, read by the AI you already use.

Short answer

If you want your notes in plain Markdown and readable by ChatGPT and Claude, Hjarni is the closest fit: a hosted knowledge base with a built-in MCP server on every plan, the free one included. Evernote now has its own MCP connector too, in beta and on paid plans. If you want local files instead, look at Obsidian or Joplin.

  1. Hjarni Our pick

    Hosted Markdown notes in folders and tags that ChatGPT, Claude and other MCP clients can read and update.

    Hjarni has its own native apps. Free on every plan for iPhone, iPad and Mac and Android. Same account, same notes as the web. An internet connection is required.

    MCP: built-in, hosted (OAuth), on every plan. No local server to run. Import Evernote notebooks with the ENEX conversion guide below.

  2. Obsidian

    Local-first Markdown files you fully own, with a large plugin ecosystem.

    MCP: community MCP; official CLI and local file access. Local agents can use the files or CLI. Remote assistants need a separate route.

  3. Notion

    A broad workspace with pages, databases and project tracking.

    MCP: official, hosted (OAuth). More structure than a notes app, if you want databases and boards.

  4. Joplin

    Open-source notes with optional encrypted sync.

    MCP: official local HTTP MCP. MCP is off by default and runs on your machine. Cloud assistants need a separate bridge.

Evernote facts checked November 9, 2026 against its plan comparison, MCP FAQ, ChatGPT and Claude announcement and export guide. Plans and features change; check them before you switch.

Why people look for an Evernote alternative

Since December 2023, Evernote's Free plan holds up to 50 notes in one notebook, and since August 2024 it works on one device. Notes above the cap stay readable and editable. Adding new ones needs a paid plan.

The other reason is getting notes out. Evernote exports only from its desktop app, as ENEX or HTML, up to 100 notes at a time or one notebook at a time. There is no Markdown export, so most apps need a conversion step.

Evernote and AI: what changed

Evernote now offers an official MCP server, so ChatGPT and Claude can read, search and create Evernote notes. It is in beta and only on paid plans. It also has its own AI features inside the app.

Hjarni takes the other route. It has no built-in AI. Your own ChatGPT or Claude reads and writes your notes through its built-in MCP server, and that works on the free plan too. The notes stay plain Markdown, so you can open, edit and export them yourself.

Moving from Evernote to Hjarni

Export each notebook from the Evernote desktop app as an ENEX file. Convert the files to Markdown with the free Yarle app, with Convert webclips switched on so web clips come across. Zip what is inside Yarle's notes folder, not the folder itself, and import the ZIP. Notebooks become folders. Links between notes keep working when both notes are in the same ZIP, so import notebooks that link to each other together. Attachments come across within your plan's file limits, and tags stay as text in the note. The Evernote import guide walks through every step.

Hjarni's free plan holds 25 personal notes. An import that does not fit waits until you upgrade, then you run it, so nothing is cut off halfway. Try a small export first: web clips, scanned documents and tasks may not look the same in any other app.

When to stay on Evernote

Stay if you rely on its web clipper, document scanning, tasks or meeting notes, and the paid plan is worth it to you. Evernote does far more inside one app. Hjarni is narrower on purpose: notes, folders and tags, built for the AI you already use.

Stay on Evernote if

  • You use the web clipper, scanning and tasks every day
  • You want AI features built into the notes app
  • You already pay and the plan fits your note count

Switch to Hjarni if

  • You want ChatGPT and Claude to read and write your notes
  • You want plain Markdown you can export any time
  • You want a focused notes app, not an everything app
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Common questions

Common questions

What is the best Evernote alternative?

For notes ChatGPT and Claude can read and write, Hjarni: plain Markdown in folders and tags, with a built-in MCP server on every plan. For local files, Obsidian or Joplin. For a workspace with databases, Notion.

Does Evernote work with ChatGPT and Claude?

Yes, on paid plans. Evernote offers an official MCP server, in beta, that lets ChatGPT and Claude read, search and create notes. Free accounts are not included. See Evernote’s MCP FAQ.

How do I move my notes from Evernote to Hjarni?

Export each notebook from the Evernote desktop app as ENEX. Convert the files with Yarle, with Convert webclips switched on, then zip what is inside its notes folder and import the ZIP. See Import from Evernote.

Can I export my Evernote notes as Markdown?

Not directly. Evernote exports ENEX or HTML from its desktop app, up to 100 notes or one notebook at a time, and not from the web app. A converter such as Yarle turns ENEX into Markdown.

Is there a free Evernote alternative?

Obsidian and Joplin are free apps that keep notes as local files. Hjarni's free plan is for trying it with ChatGPT or Claude: 25 personal notes with full MCP access. A larger Evernote library needs Hjarni Pro.

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