Note-Taking App Showdown: The 4 Apps Used by 75% of People
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Evernote and Notion together accounted for about 60% of note-taking app usage in the August 2020 survey (38% Evernote, 23% Notion).
Briefing
Across multiple surveys of students building “a second brain,” one pattern keeps repeating: a small set of note-taking apps dominates user choice, and the balance among them shifts as new cohorts enter. The clearest headline is that Evernote and Notion together account for roughly 60–70% of note-taking app usage in earlier, larger samples—yet the most recent, smaller cohort shows Notion surging to the top while Rome Research (Roam) slips sharply.
In the earliest dataset (August 2020), Evernote led with 38% of votes, followed by Notion at 23%. Rome Research came next at 11%, while a combined “other” category and “no app yet” together made up a noticeable minority. Even with limited survey options, the takeaway was straightforward: Evernote and Notion alone represented about 60% of the note-taking tools used by respondents.
A second, larger survey (about 2,800+ students) reinforced the dominance of a “big three.” Evernote held first place at 30%, Notion took second at 19%, and Rome Research rose to 18%. Together, these three apps captured about 70% of the market share in that cohort. Obsidian appeared as a meaningful challenger at 7%, while Apple Notes and OneNote each sat around the mid-single digits. By early 2021, the “big three” still held their positions, with Evernote and Notion combining for about 70% across the top tier.
The next major shift came with the 13th cohort (over 1,300 new and returning students). Evernote remained first at 31% and Notion stayed strong at 20%. Rome Research dropped to 15%, while Obsidian climbed to 10%. Across these four apps—Evernote, Notion, Rome Research, and Obsidian—respondents accounted for over 75% of note-taking users. The data also suggested a possible tradeoff between Rome and Obsidian: Rome fell by roughly the same amount Obsidian rose.
The most recent poll, drawn from a smaller group of workshop attendees (many likely new to digital note-taking), produced the biggest upset. Notion jumped to 28% and took first place, edging out Evernote at 22%. Obsidian reached 16%—and Rome Research dropped to just 5%, no longer competing for the top three. “None” also appeared at 7%, while OneNote (6%) and Apple Notes (3%) remained loyal but not dominant. Craft and Logseq showed up as notable newcomers, each gaining enough votes to matter in a small sample.
The practical conclusion ties app choice to user style: Evernote still leads by sheer user count for “librarian” note-taking; Notion fits people who want structure and dashboards; Rome and Obsidian align with “networked” or “gardener” approaches to learning and self-discovery. But the newest cohort data hints that newer entrants—especially Obsidian, plus Craft and Logseq—may be attracting a growing share of first-time digital note-takers, while Rome’s momentum appears weaker among newcomers.
Cornell Notes
Multiple surveys of students using note-taking apps show a consistent concentration: Evernote, Notion, and Rome Research dominate early cohorts, often totaling around 70% combined. In later cohorts, Obsidian rises while Rome Research declines, suggesting shifting preferences within the “networked notes” space. The most recent, smaller poll—skewing toward people new to digital note-taking—flips the ranking: Notion leads (28%), Evernote follows (22%), Obsidian rises (16%), and Rome Research falls to 5%. The results matter because they indicate both market dominance (who most people use) and cohort-driven change (who newcomers adopt).
How did Evernote and Notion perform in the earliest survey, and what does that imply about mainstream adoption?
What did the larger 2,800+ student survey reveal about the “big three” and their combined share?
How did the 13th cohort change the balance among Evernote, Notion, Rome Research, and Obsidian?
Why is the newest poll considered an upset, and what were the key ranking changes?
How do the app recommendations map to different note-taking “archetypes” mentioned in the discussion?
Review Questions
- Which apps consistently appear in the top tier across multiple cohorts, and how do their percentages change from the August 2020 survey to the newest poll?
- What evidence in the cohort data suggests a shift from Rome Research users toward Obsidian users?
- How do the “librarian,” “architect,” and “gardener” archetypes influence which app a person might choose, based on the percentages reported?
Key Points
- 1
Evernote and Notion together accounted for about 60% of note-taking app usage in the August 2020 survey (38% Evernote, 23% Notion).
- 2
In the larger 2,800+ student survey, Evernote (30%), Notion (19%), and Rome Research (18%) combined for roughly 70% of choices.
- 3
Across the 13th cohort, Evernote (31%) and Notion (20%) stayed strong while Rome Research fell to 15% and Obsidian rose to 10%, pushing the top four above 75% combined.
- 4
The newest, smaller poll flipped rankings for newcomers: Notion led (28%), Evernote followed (22%), Obsidian reached 16%, and Rome Research dropped to 5%.
- 5
Obsidian’s rise appears to come partly at Rome Research’s expense, suggesting competition within networked-note workflows.
- 6
App selection is framed as style-based: Evernote for “librarian” users, Notion for “architects,” and Rome/Obsidian (plus Craft/Logseq) for “gardeners.”