The Best Note-Taking Apps for Journalists
Journalists are no strangers to tight deadlines and the need for efficient tools to streamline their work. Digital solutions are constantly transforming the way we work, and note-taking apps have become indispensable for plenty of careers, but especially for journalists: they offer alternatives to traditional folders and paperwork and help with idea organization, collaboration, and keeping sources in one place. While well-known apps like Evernote and Scrivener have made their mark, the market is continually evolving, producing hidden gems tailored to the unique needs of journalists.
Dynalist excels at helping journalists brainstorm ideas at the onset of a story. Its bullet point format allows users to sort notes easily and to add hyperlinks to sources, which can help facilitate pattern recognition with disparate or standalone notes. This feature is particularly useful during the early research stages of a story. Additionally, Dynalist makes it easy to upload an image or file and can sync across multiple devices. It's available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux, with pricing plans ranging from a free basic version to a paid premium plan starting at $7.99 per month.
Craft Docs is sleek and user-friendly, making it a top choice for journalists seeking an intuitive note-taking experience. Journalists can create articles and collaborate effortlessly with team members by offering task-setting and feedback-sharing features, similar to the corporate Monday.com bulletin board. Craft Docs stands out with its use of "blocks," which can hold not only text but also multimedia files like images, audio, and videos and make it easy to keep all thoughts and notes related to the ideas in the block in one place. This app is an excellent choice for those who like visual means of organizing ideas. Craft Docs is available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, with a free basic plan and premium plans starting at $5 per month.
Joplin prioritizes security with its end-to-end encryption, making it an attractive option for journalists handling sensitive information. It also features an alarm function that can be applied to notes or to-do lists, in order to help with project management and deadline tracking. Joplin overcomes storage limitations by allowing users to save files locally or on its encrypted Joplin Cloud, which can sync with other storage services like Dropbox and OneDrive. Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, Joplin offers mostly free access, with paid options for Joplin Cloud storage.
Obsidian is a more versatile tool than the others above. It offers Maps of Content (MOCs) that create virtual maps in order to link related ideas together. These MOCs serve as indexes or tables that list hyperlinked notes on specific subjects or points. The customization options available for MOCs make it so that Obsidian can tailor to plenty of different thinking styles. While the app is primarily free, subscribers can access premium features like Obsidian Publish for enhanced note linking and sharing. It's available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux, offering a mostly free experience with a few paid features.
Simplenote lives up to its name by providing a straightforward and hassle-free writing experience. It allows users to easily add tags, sync notes across multiple devices, and collaborate with other users. Simplenote stands out as a minimalist solution as compared to the others above, akin to a virtual pen and paper. It's well-suited for straightforward projects and moderate-sized collaborations. Simplenote is available on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac and is entirely free.
Choosing the right note-taking app depends on your unique needs as a journalist. Consider whether you require live collaboration, visual planning, or better organization for juggling multiple deadlines. Apps like Joplin prioritize security, while Dynalist excels in idea formation. If none of the above fit your criteria, more note app suggestions are available here.
