Let’s break down each Evernote pricing plan and explore how to maximize your investment.
The Free Plan: Perfect for Minimalists
The free plan still exists, but it’s stripped down: 50 notes, one notebook, 20 tags, and one device. Think of it as a digital notepad on your phone for quick reference information and current projects.
With only 50 notes, you need to stay fluid. Delete notes when they’re no longer needed. Empty the trash regularly, because notes in the trash count against your 50-note limit.
Here’s an example of where a free plan could be beneficial: a caregiver for someone who is an Evernote user. Do you have an elderly parent who keeps medical information in a paid Evernote account? They can share notebooks with you, and that won’t count against your limit. You’ll have access to medication lists and doctor appointment notes without using your own quota.
Starter Plan: $100 Per Year
Evernote previously offered two paid plans: Personal ($130/year) and Professional ($170/year). The Starter Plan provides a price decrease but includes significant limits.
You get 1,000 notes, 20 notebooks, 100 tags, and 3 devices. An allowance of 1,000 may sound generous, but I had 2,000 notes after about two years of use. You can hit that limit fairly quickly.
Strategy One: Fewer, Longer Notes
Use collapsible headers to organize more information within single notes. This feature lets you pack substantial content into one note without endless scrolling.
As a example, imagine you’re planning a trip? Instead of creating separate notes for flights, rental cars, hotels, dining, and attractions, create one note. Add collapsible headers for each category. Expand or collapse sections as needed. You’ve just used one note instead of five.
This approach also helps with the 20-notebook limit. You saved yourself from giving up one of your 20 notebooks just for this trip.
Strategy Two: Use Temporary Notebooks
If you devote an entire notebook to a trip with multiple notes, merge all of the notes into one after the trip ends. Move the note to a “Past Trips” notebook, and delete the trip-specific notebook. You’ve just reclaimed a notebook slot.
Rethink Your Organization Structure
Evernote uses notebooks and tags as primary organizational tools. Years ago, the 250-notebook limit caused issues for some people. They hit the limit. The almost unlimited number of tags provided an attractive way to organize Evernote. Now, with only 20 notebooks, how to use them is a major decision.
Here’s a suggestion: Use notebooks for major life areas. Use tags to subdivide those areas. For example, I have a “Home” notebook with about 25 tags: lawn care, kitchen, internet service, satellite TV, maintenance, and more. That single notebook contains 280 notes.
I’ve written about my system for using tags with Evernote. You’ll find the post and video here.
With 100 tags total, I suggest you use a good naming convention to subdivide your notes. For example, my “Home” notebook includes a “Home-DirecTV” tag. There are 22 notes with that tag. If tags were limited, I’d create a tag called “Subscriptions,” something that would cover a larger number of notes. Then, I’d start the notes titles with “DirecTV Communication,” “DirecTV Troubleshooting,” “DirecTV Billing,” etc. The naming convention becomes part of your organizational system. Searching for “DirecTV Communication” would summon all notes beginning with that note title.
Transitioning from “Personal” to “Starter”
When your plan comes up for renewal and you decide to downgrade, you’ll need to reorganize. You can still access content above the limits, but you can’t create new notes or notebooks until you’re under the threshold.
Clean up your system. Delete junk notes. Merge related content. Consolidate underused tags and notebooks.
The good news? You get access to all features, including AI capabilities, just like the Advanced plan. The limits apply only to quantity, not functionality.
The $100 per year is more palatable for the person who has limited needs. The cost is $8.25 per month...less than a burger, fries, and a drink. The question isn’t whether Evernote pricing plans are expensive.
Advanced Plan: $250 Per Year
This price jump is the big news. It’s significant. Ten years ago, the top tier cost $50 annually. But Evernote today offers far more than it did a decade ago. AI capabilities, notetaking during online meetings, and advanced features have transformed what digital notes can do.
At $250 per year, you’re paying about $21 per month. That’s one decent meal. Is it worth it? That depends on your alternatives and what it would cost to migrate platforms.
Making Your Decision
When your subscription renews, you have choices. Some people have left Evernote and are happy. Others left and came back. Some love Notion. Others switched from Notion to Obsidian. Still others find Obsidian too complex.
The big questions are longevity and support. Will these alternatives exist long-term? What kind of help can you get when you need it?
You might decide to pay the higher subscription for unlimited notes, notebooks, tags, and devices. Who knows how much better Evernote will be a year from now?
Here’s something to consider: where your money goes, your attention follows. If you’re paying $250 per year, you’ll want to extract $250 worth of value. This might be the year you get serious about notetaking.
Take Action Now
If your decision is to go all in on Evernote, I can help. On my YouTube channel, I have an entire playlist devoted to Evernote with practical tips and strategies. You’ll find that playlist here.
I’ve written an ebook that starts from the beginning and brings you up to date with current best practices. I update it regularly. When I release a new edition, I send it to everyone who has purchased it.
Want to level up even more? I have room for a few coaching clients. We can work on Evernote, set you up with a powerful task manager, fine-tune your digital calendar with an autoscheduler, and explore how AI can make your life easier. Having one place for all your tasks and another for all your information puts you in a position of power.
