Research notes are essential for reliably accumulating research records and results. However, if the management is complicated, “it is difficult to know where the necessary research notes are,” so today, more and more teams are using software to centrally manage their notes.
However, many people may be wondering, “Although we are going to install note taking software for researchers, what criteria should I use to select a note taking software?”
In this issue, we will introduce 10 best academic note taking software for managing notes for free for below people.
- “Managing research notes is complicated, and it takes time to find the necessary note.”
- “I want to install software that can centrally manage my research notes and solve the burden of managing notes.”
- “I want to find an easy note management software among many other note software.”
If so, this article will help you make sense the key points to keep in mind when selecting a note taking software and get rid of the complicated management of research notes.
Contents
- 1 Why you should use note software to manage your research notes?
- 2 10 Best note taking software for researchers for free
- 2.1 Stock| The easiest software to manage and share research notes
- 2.2 EndNote| The software to help you collect and manage references
- 2.3 MarginNote| The software integrated with many types of learning tools
- 2.4 Zotero| The free software up to 300MB
- 2.5 Qiqqa| The recommended software for managing PDF documents
- 2.6 Mendeley| The software for multiple devices
- 2.7 Papers| The software that displays a list of references
- 2.8 Scrivener| An note taking app specialized in iOS and Windows
- 2.9 Notability| Creating and managing handwritten notes
- 2.10 Avidnote| AI installed note taking app
- 3 What are the key points in selecting software for managing research notes?
- 4 Question and answer regarding note softwares
- 5 Summary of 10 best academic note taking software for keeping research notes
Why you should use note software to manage your research notes?
The reason why you should manage your research notes with note-taking software is that it solves the burden of managing paper notes and reduces the amount of time you spend accessing the notes you need.
If you keep your research notes on paper, they will be buried under other notes and you will not be able to find the notes you need quickly.
In addition, each time you share your notes with your team, you have to print out a copy for each person on your team and file the notes manually, which is tedious and time-consuming.
However, managing research memos with software eliminates the hassle and cost of printing and filing, and the software’s “search function” makes it easy to find the desired note. In other words, the burden of managing paper memos can be removed at once.
10 Best note taking software for researchers for free
Here are 10 recommended software for keeping research notes having free plan.
By using a note-taking software, you can avoid the hassle of printing and filing, which is often the case with paper notes. Furthermore, you can manage your research notes by categorizing them within the software, preventing any discrepancies between your research and the literature.
However, multifunctional note taking software may not be used well by researcher, or research content may be leaked due to mismanagement. Therefore, when selecting software, make sure that it can sort notes in an easy-to-understand manner and that anyone can use it.
In conclusion, for managing research and literature notes, choosing Stock, which even researcher who is not good with IT can manage research notes appropriately.
Research contents and references accumulated in “Note” of Stock can be managed by using “Folder” to sort them in an easy-to-understand manner. In addition, “Message” and “Task” associated with the “Note” allow you to manage your research notes and tasks without getting into a confusing topic of conversation.
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
EndNote| The software to help you collect and manage references
＜Features of EndNote＞
- Easy access to research memos and PDF files of articles
- Save time creating reference lists
- Works with EndNote for iOS
Easy access to research memos and PDF files of articles saves time in collecting references and organizing files.
The software’s built-in output style allows you to automatically create reference lists according to regulations.
By linking with the free “EndNote for iOS” application, you can edit and view references on your iPad or iPhone.
＜Notes on EndNote＞
- Some tasks cannot be performed without linking with other tools.
Note that you need to link with other tools when you want to import information from web pages or add handwritten notes.
＜EndNote Pricing Structure＞
- Upgrade license: $124.95/user
- Full license: $274.95/user
- Student Edition License: $149.95/user
- Volume License: You need inquiry
MarginNote| The software integrated with many types of learning tools
＜Features of MarginNote＞
- Multiple documents can be opened at the same time
- Smooth translation
- Notes and highlighting with Apple Pencil
Multiple documents can be opened on a single screen at the same time, eliminating the need to move pages.
Translation does not take time, even when dealing with overseas documents.
You can use the Apple Pencil to take notes and highlight, which can be used separately from keyboard input.
＜Notes of MarginNote＞
- Data synchronization with Windows and Android devices is not possible.
Since data synchronization with Windows and Android devices is not possible, check the type of OS and devices handled in your laboratory.
＜Price of MarginNote＞
- MarginNote 2: Free of charge
- MarginNote 2 Pro: $4.99/user (iOS version)
- MarginNote 3 Unlock Full: $46.99/user (Mac version)
- MarginNote 3 Upgrade Full: $26.99/user (Mac version)
Zotero| The free software up to 300MB
＜Features of Zotero＞
- Search criteria can be saved
- Easy integration with other services
- Automatic acquisition of bibliographic information from websites and PDF files
You can save your search criteria, saving you the trouble of typing in keywords.
Simply specify the destination folder where you want to save your files and use the service.
Just drag and drop (long-press and move) the bibliographic information from a website or PDF file, and it will be automatically analyzed and retrieved.
＜Notes of Zotero＞
- No suggestion function
Zotero does not have a suggestion function (a function that displays recommended articles and references based on saved references), so it may take time and effort to find relevant references.
＜Price of Zotero＞
- Up to 300MB: $0
- Up to 2GB: $20/user/year
- Up to 6GB: $60/user/year
- Unlimited: $120/user/year
Qiqqa| The recommended software for managing PDF documents
＜Features of Qiqqa＞
- PDF documents can be divided into libraries
- Documents in the entire library can be explored
- Synchronization with unlimited cloud storage
PDF documents can be divided into libraries according to the research and literature described.
You can search documents in the entire library by entering keywords such as author, bibliography, or research topic.
Optionally, you can synchronize with unlimited cloud storage.
＜Notes on Qiqqa＞
- Optional fees apply for large storage capacities
Paid plans have a storage capacity of up to 50 GB, so if you need more space than that, you will be charged separately.
＜Price of Qiqqa＞
- Free: $0 (up to 2GB)
- Premium: $6.67/user/month (up to 10GB)
- Premium+: $41.67/user/month (up to 50GB)
Mendeley| The software for multiple devices
＜Features of Mendeley＞
- Favorite setting is available
- Desktop version and Web version can be synchronized
- Share your bibliography with your team
By setting up and saving documents as “favorites,” you can easily find notes you need.
Synchronize the desktop and web versions of Mendeley to access your notes anytime, anywhere.
Mendeley users can share their bibliography with their team.
＜Notes on Mendeley＞
- Some functions are only available in the Web version
The functions to display recommended references and to share references are only available in the Web version.
＜Price of Mendeley＞
- You need inquiry.
Papers| The software that displays a list of references
＜Features of Papers＞
- Saved references can be displayed in a list
- Download PDF documents smoothly
The “List” function allows you to display a list of your saved documents in an easy-to-understand manner.
With “Enhanced PDF,” you can download documents by automatically moving to the page where the document is posted.
＜Notes on Papers＞
- PDF documents may not be extracted from smartphones
PDF documents may not be extracted from some smartphones.
＜Price of Papers＞
- Student: $3/user/month
- Academic: $5/user/month
- Corporate: $10/user/month
Scrivener| An note taking app specialized in iOS and Windows
＜Features of Scrivener＞
- Manage documents even if long text
- Organize information in Scrivener
The feature of Scrivener allows you to manage documents such as long text thesis, and help you to grow manuscript.
Since you can leave any comment at documents and organize information hierarchical, it protects to scatter the information anywhere.
＜Notes on Scrivener＞
- Android user cannot use it
Scrivener cannot be used Android OS, if your team member of majority have it, you should use other softwares.
＜Price of Scrivener＞
- Mac OS: $49/user/month
- Windows: $49/user/month
- For iOS: $23.99/user
Notability| Creating and managing handwritten notes
＜Features of Notability＞
- It can be used by people of various attributes
- Using stylus allow you to leave information
Notability is the app used by people who are students, professor, specialist jobs to leave information.
Notability can not only store text and image information, but also the description of handwritten.
＜Note of Notability＞
- The type of pencil is only 1 kind of pen
Since using only 1 kind of nib, even if you want to use various nibs to change bold of pen, you cannot do it.
＜Price of Notability＞
- Although Notability has 2 plans: Notability Starter and Notability Plus, as the price are not on the website, you need to inquiry.
Avidnote| AI installed note taking app
＜Features of Avidnote＞
- AI installed note app
- Regular and Premium support
Avidnote has AI that allow you to enhance the speed of writing, analyze the papers and datas. And it enables note taking quicker.
Since Avidnote have support regarding usage in all the plans, it is a relief if you do not clarify how to use.
＜Note of Avidnote＞
- Collaboration with others needs Premium account
If you want to share and collaborate information such as research report and papers to others, you need the premium account(Need to inquiry regarding price in detail.).
＜Price of Avidnote＞
- Free: Free of charge
- Beginner: $9.99/month
- Professional: $19.99/month
- Enterprise: You need inquiry
What are the key points in selecting software for managing research notes?
Here are 3 points to consider when selecting software to manage your research, papers, bibliographic notes. To ensure the continued operation of the software, make sure to keep the following points in mind.
(1) Does the software support multiple devices?
First of all, it is important that the note software for researchers is multi-device compatible as one of the point of selection.
If the software is compatible with multiple devices such as PCs, tablets, and smartphones, you can edit and view your research notes regardless of time and location. In other words, there is no need to worry about work being delayed even when it is difficult to go to work.
Thus, in order to solve “having to come to work to edit and view research notes,” note-taking software that supports multiple devices is essential.
(2) Can it organize information?
Next, the ability to organize information is another important factor in choosing note software.
Even if you manage all your research notes in one place, if you cannot organize the information, you will end up with a mess of research notes and documents, and you will not know where the necessary note is. As a result, there is a risk of discrepancies between the research and literature.
Therefore, you should consider whether the research content and literature can be sorted in an easily understood manner, and avoid wasting time in accessing the wanted note.
(3) Can anyone operate the system?
Finally, it is also essential that anyone can operate the software.
If the software is multifunctional, people who are not good at IT will not be able to properly manage their papers and research notes. In the worst case, data may be lost or research content may be leaked.
Therefore, to ensure the safety of research notes, “software that anyone can use” should be selected. For example, if you use Stock, which is simple and has no excess or insufficient of necessary functions, you can manage research notes safely and easily.
Question and answer regarding note softwares
This section introduces the questions and answers from those who are not clarified regarding note softwares. Since there is possibility that is not working correctly them in operation at your team, so you should grasp the following.
(1) What is the note taking software that makes study notes?
The note taking software is an app that allows you to crate and manage note easily.
If you create and manage notes and papers by paper sheet, there is various risks such as damage or loss the notes and cannot search information you need promptly. But the note taking software allows you to protect from these risks, create notes easily and operate information management effectively.
Today, various universities or organizations install this app, the major of them success enhancing information management effectiveness.
(2) What is the best software for writing notes?
The conclusion is what the best software has simple functions that anyone can use it.
If complicated software such as multifunctional software that major companies and IT-savvy teams installed, those who are not familiar with software cannot use it, and reduce productivity by difficulty of operation.
Therefore, you should select the software with the first priority that is whether the software is simple or not.
(3) How do I make notes in research?
The following tips are recommended to help you manage your notes more efficiently in the midst of a busy schedule.
- Write down title or key words at the top of the card, to be ease of searching later.
- Take notes using abbreviations and jargon (Do not try to finish notes perfectly) to enhance speed of taking note.
- Visualize your ideas by using diagrams, icons, symbols.
Regarding we mentioned above, they are measures that the person can take immediately by individual, it is important for team to penetrate these technic.
Summary of 10 best academic note taking software for keeping research notes
We have focused on 10 recommended note taking software for keeping research notes and the key points for their selection.
With note taking software, you can sort your notes by research content and use the search function to smoothly locate the desired note. Therefore, unlike paper-based information management, there is no need to worry that necessary research memos will not be found.
In addition, when selecting note taking software, it is important that it is simple and can be used “by anyone”. Multifunctional note software is not only difficult to use, but also carries the risk of information leakage due to mismanagement.
This is why “Stock” is essential for non-IT companies to manage information such as papers and research notes safely and easily.
Free registration takes only 1 minute, so using Stock and get rid of the complicated management of research notes.
