Taking notes is an essential part of work. In particular, engineers often need to take notes during programming studies, team meetings, and so on. In recent years, more and more engineers are using “memo apps” to improve their efficiency.
However, many engineers may be worried that “there are many types of memo apps, and I don’t know what to choose.
In this article, we will focus on 5 recommended memo apps for engineers. So, this article is for below people.
- Paper memos are inefficient, so I want to use an app to improve efficiency.
- I want to use a memo app, but I don’t know which one is best for me.
- Even engineers at non-IT companies are looking for an easy-to-use memo app.
If so, this article will help you find the best memo app for engineers for your team and solve the burden of taking memos all together.
Contents
- 1 6 Points to Check When Selecting a Memo App
- 2 5 Recommended simple note-taking apps for engineers
- 2.1 [Stock]The easiest app to take and share notes.
- 2.2 [Dropbox Paper] A memo app that Dropbox released.
- 2.3 [Milanote] An application for organizing notes into a visual board.
- 2.4 [OneNote] An application that allows you to keep your ideas in your handwritten notes.
- 2.5 [Google Keep] Memo application provided by Google Inc.
- 3 Comparison chart of 5 note-taking apps for engineers
- 4 3 useful ways to use note-taking apps
- 5 Summary of 5 recommended memo apps for engineers and selection points of them
6 Points to Check When Selecting a Memo App
Here are 6 points to check when selecting a memo app. In addition to features and prices, we also explain other points, so those who want to choose the best app for company should not miss below.
（1）Can it be used immediately after launch?
The first selecting point in a memo app is that it should be usable immediately after it is launched.
If there are too many steps before you can take a memo, not only it is stressful to operate, but you may not be able to take down important statements. As a result, you will have to ask the person in charge again.
Therefore, it can be said that a memo application should be judged by whether it can be opened and written immediately.
The second point is the ability to share notes easily.
If the note-taking app does not have a sharing function, you will have to go to the trouble of attaching the note to an email or chat tool. Also, if the sharing method is complicated, there is a high possibility that the app will gradually fall out of use in non-IT companies.
Therefore, choose an app that allows you to smoothly create and share memos.
（3）Is it a cloud application that can be used on multiple devices?
The third point is that the app should be a cloud app that can be used on multiple devices.
The cloud is a service that stores information on the Internet. With a cloud-based app, you can access the same notes from your computer or smartphone, so you can check your notes while you are out of the office or teleworking.
Therefore, especially for companies that have introduced remote work, choose a cloud app that can be used regardless of time, place, or device.
（4）Can files be attached?
The fourth point is the ability to attach files.
With memo apps that only allow you to enter text, you will have to store files of related materials separately, which can be troublesome. However, if the application allows files to be attached to memos, it is possible to consolidate many contents at once without dispersing the information.
Thus, “the file attachment function” is essential to improve accessibility to memos.
（5）Is it a free trial?
The fifth point is the availability of a free trial.
If you start using an application without trying out its functions and specifications, you may find it more difficult to operate than you expected or find it lacking in functionality later on. However, if you can use the free trial, you can check how it works without incurring any costs.
Also, if you check the price and functions of a paid plan in advance, it will be easier to change the plan.
（6）Are there excessive and insufficient functions?
The last point is to make sure that the necessary functions are not excessive or insufficient.
For example, if you choose an application because “other companies are using it,” it may be difficult to use because it is geared toward large companies, or it may be difficult to operate because it is multifunctional. If the functions do not suit the members who will actually use the application, it will not be cost-effective.
So, you should select a “simple memo application that does not have too many or not enough functions necessary for your team. In particular, an app like Stock, which is so simple that any member in a non-IT company can use it immediately, can manage notes without any stress of making, sharing memo at all.
5 Recommended simple note-taking apps for engineers
Below are 5 recommended simple note-taking apps for engineers.
For engineers in non-IT companies, the most important point to consider when choosing a memo app is “Simplicity of use”. Specifically, choose an app that has an easy-to-read screen and allows you to create and share memos with little effort.
Furthermore, if it is simple to use, there is no need to teach how to operate it, and other teams that are not good at IT can start using it on the same day. This feature allows the application to spread smoothly throughout the company.
In conclusion, the best app for engineers is Stock, which is simple to be used by non-IT employees, being with excessive and insufficient functions.
Stock’s “Notes” not only allows you to intuitively leave notes, but also to attach tables, images, and files easily. In addition, updated notes are shared in real time, and you can organize them in “folders” by category to prevent information from getting lost in the shuffle.
The simplest tool to stock information "Stock"
https://www.stock-app.info/en/
Stock is the simplest tool to stock information. Stock solves the problem, "there is no easy way to stock information within the company".
With Stock, anyone can easily store all kinds of information, including text information such as requirements, images, and files, using the Note feature.
In addition, by using the "Task" and "Message" functions, you can communicate with each topic described in the Note, so that information is not dispersed here and there and work can always be carried out in an organized manner.
＜Why do we recommend Stock?＞
- A tool for companies that are not familiar with ITYou don't need to have any IT expertise to get started.
- Simple and usable by anyoneStock is so simple that anyone can use it without any unnecessary features.
- Amazingly easy information storing and task managementIt is amazingly easy to store information such as shared information within a company, and intuitive task management is also possible.
＜Stock's pricing＞
- Free plan ：Free
- Business plan ：$5 / User / Month
- Enterprise plan ：$10 / User / Month
[Dropbox Paper] A memo app that Dropbox released.
＜Features of Dropbox Paper＞
- Can be used in meetings
- Task management function
By linking with the calendar, you can easily find documents and memos needed for meeting, and also create minutes.
A task management function is provided that allows users to create tasks, assign them to other employees, and add deadlines.
＜Notes of Dropbox Paper＞
- It is difficult to organize information.
Since notes are displayed in the order in which they are created, it is necessary to separate them into folders in order to organize them.
＜Dropbox Paper fee structure＞
If you register for one of the following “Dropbox plans”, you can also use Dropbox Paper.
- Free plan: Free of charge
- Plus: 1,500 JPY/month (monthly payment)
- Family: 2,500 JPY/month (monthly payment)
- Professional：2,400 JPY/month (monthly payment)
- Standard: 1,800 JPY/user/month (monthly payment)
- Advanced: 2,880 JPY/user/month (monthly payment)
- Enterprise: You need inquiry.
[Milanote] An application for organizing notes into a visual board.
＜Features of Milanote＞
- Can be used for brainstorming
- Images and files can be uploaded
The “Board,” which is designed like a whiteboard, can be used for brainstorming if edited collaboratively by a team.
Various types of images and files can be uploaded, including JPG, PDF, and Word.
＜Milanote Notes＞
- The free plan has a file upload limit.
The number of files that can be uploaded with the free plan is limited to 10.
＜Milanote’s fee structure＞
- Free Plan: $0
- Individual Plan: $12.50/user/month (monthly payment)
- Team plan: $49/month (annually payment, 10 users or more)
[OneNote] An application that allows you to keep your ideas in your handwritten notes.
＜Features of OneNote＞
- Note Sticker function
- Handwritten notes can be left
The “Note Sticker” function makes the relevant note stand out, so it will be difficult to overlook important notes.
OneNote supports handwriting, allowing you to leave notes intuitively with your finger or stylus.
＜Notes of OneNote＞
- Operation may become slow.
Some users say that OneNote can be slow when multiple users use it at the same time or when the amount of data increases.
＜Price of OneNote＞
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6/user/month (paid annually)
- Microsoft 365 Apps for business: $8.25/user/month (paid annually)
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50/user/month (paid annually)
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $22.00/user/month (paid annually)
[Google Keep] Memo application provided by Google Inc.
＜Features of Google Keep＞
- Voice memo is available.
- Compatible with all devices
If you cannot take a minutes by handwriting in meeting, you can use voice memo.
Google Keep is compatible with all devices including iPhone, Android, and iPad.
＜Notes of Google Keep＞
- Difficult to organize structurally
Some people say that Google Keep is “not suitable for structural organization of information” because notes are divided by labels.
＜Price of Google Keep＞
- Free of charge.
Comparison chart of 5 note-taking apps for engineers
Below is a comparison chart of 5 note-taking apps for engineers. (Scrolling left to right if you use smartphone.)
(Most Recommended) | Dropbox Paper | Milanote | OneNote | Google Keep | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features | The easiest app to leave notes | App that allows teams to edit notes in real time | Organize notes into a visual board | An app that allows you to leave ideas | Memo app provided by Google |
| Pricing |
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| Free of charge |
| Security |
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As mentioned above, each application has different fees and security features, so select the right one after comparing it to your company’s budget and challenges that you have to solve.
3 useful ways to use note-taking apps
Here are 3 useful ways to use note-taking apps. The teams that put the following into practice are effectively using the contents of their memos in their work.
（1）Use headings and bullet points
The first technique for utilizing memo applications is the use of headings and bullet points.
If a memo is just a list of sentences, there is a risk that the main points will not be understood, or that the contents will be mixed up with other topics, making it difficult to understand when looking back at the memo later. Using headings and bullet points helps to visualize the sentence structure and clarify important points.
In addition, general note-taking applications are equipped with “sentence decoration functions,” including bullet points. Use of them allows you to make your main points easier to understand.
（2）Use a to-do list
The next point is to utilize a to-do list.
By consolidating tasks into a list in a memo app, you can see what needs to be done at a glance. The app also allows you to see the tasks of all members, which is useful for progress management.
In this way, utilizing a to-do list with a memo app makes it easier to prevent omissions of tasks and to proceed with work accurately.
（3）Paste images and documents
Finally, you can also paste images and documents into your memos.
By pasting images and documents, you can leave information that is difficult to convey in text only, in a way that is easy to understand visually. For example, “putting an image of the actual product on the memo of information about the company’s products” or “saving the minutes of a meeting and shared documents together” are effective.
If you can upload files directly from the memo application, you can save the time and effort of transferring images from a folder on your PC via email.
Summary of 5 recommended memo apps for engineers and selection points of them
We have focused on 5 recommended memo apps for engineers and their selection points.
For non-IT engineers, the most important thing to consider when selecting a memo app is that it should be “easy and simple to use”. Unlike multifunctional and complicated apps, simple apps are easy to understand how to operate, and as a result, information can be left without omission.
However, an app that only allows users to write memos but does not have a sharing function is not suitable for a business where multiple people are working together. Therefore, “an app that is not excessive and insufficient with functions for creating and sharing memos” is required.
In conclusion, the app that engineers should use is “Stock,” a memo app that is simple enough to use on the same day it is introduced, so it can be used immediately with other team members.
It only takes a minute to register for free, use Stock and build an environment where you can share information not only with your engineering team, but also with the entire company.
