The Apple Notes alternative that works everywhere
Apple Notes is great — until you pick up an Android phone or a Windows laptop, or need to get your notes back out. mirv gives you Markdown notes, [[wikilinks]], a built-in AI agent and clean export, on every device. Free on web, Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android.
Import your Apple Notes in a few clicks.
Who should consider leaving Apple Notes
Let's be fair up front: Apple Notes is a very good app if you live entirely inside Apple's ecosystem and mostly want plain notes. It's free, deeply integrated, fast to open with Quick Note, handles Apple Pencil handwriting, and keeps everything private on-device. If that's you, you may not need anything else.
But Apple Notes starts to hurt the moment your world isn't 100% Apple. You should look at an Apple Notes alternative if you: use an Android phone or Windows PC and are tired of the limited iCloud.com web view; want your notes and tasks in one place with real due dates, boards and a calendar; want to write in Markdown and link ideas with [[wikilinks]]; or simply worry about lock-in and want to own and export your data. That's exactly where mirv fits.
mirv vs Apple Notes
A fair, factual look at where each app wins. Apple Notes is strong on Apple-only integration; mirv is strong on reach, structure and portability.
| Feature | mirv | Apple Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Android & Windows | Yes | No native app |
| True web app | Yes | Limited iCloud view |
| Markdown notes | Yes | No |
[[wikilinks]] between notes & tasks | Yes | No |
| Built-in task manager, boards & calendar | Yes | No |
| Built-in AI agent that acts on your workspace | Yes | Limited |
| Clean bulk export (.md / .zip / JSON) | Yes | Limited |
| Apple Pencil handwriting | No | Yes |
| Deep Apple-device integration | Web + native apps | Yes |
What you gain by moving off Apple Notes
The things Apple Notes can't do — because it's an Apple-only note app, not a cross-platform workspace.
Every device
Native apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, macOS and Windows, plus a real web app — not a stripped-back iCloud page. The same notes follow you across whatever you're holding.
Own & export your data
Export any note to .md, all your notes to a .zip, or your whole workspace as JSON. Getting your data out of Apple Notes is painful; here it's a button.
Notes that link to tasks
Use [[wikilinks]] to connect notes to other notes and to real tasks, building a graph of your work. See the notes app →
A built-in AI agent
Mirv, the free built-in agent, can summarize or draft notes and actually act on your tasks — reschedule, plan, tidy up. No API key, no newer-device gate.
Boards, calendar & reminders
Turn the to-dos buried in your notes into real tasks with due dates, priorities, Kanban boards, a calendar, recurring rules and reminders. See the task manager →
Import from Apple Notes
Bring your notes across by exporting them as HTML — mirv converts them to clean Markdown, keeping headings, lists and links intact.
How to switch from Apple Notes
Moving is quick: export your Apple Notes as HTML, import them into mirv, and they land as clean Markdown you can immediately fold into folders, tag with labels, and connect to tasks with [[wikilinks]]. From there you can start turning stray checklists into real tasks with due dates and reminders. For a step-by-step walkthrough, read how to switch from Apple Notes, and for the honest pros and cons, see the problems people hit with Apple Notes.
Apple Notes alternative — questions, answered
Is there a good Apple Notes alternative for Android/Windows?
Yes. mirv is a cross-platform notes app that runs natively on Android, Windows, iPhone, iPad and macOS, plus a full web app in any browser. Apple Notes has no native Android or Windows app — the only non-Apple access is a limited iCloud.com web view — so if you have a mix of devices, mirv gives you the same notes everywhere.
Can I import my Apple Notes into mirv?
Yes. mirv can import Apple Notes: export your notes as HTML and mirv converts them to clean Markdown, keeping headings, lists, links and formatting. Once imported you can add [[wikilinks]], folders and labels, and export any note back out anytime.
Is mirv a better notes app than Apple Notes?
It depends on what you need — and we'll be honest. Apple Notes is excellent if you live entirely on Apple devices and want fast, simple notes with Apple Pencil handwriting and deep system integration. mirv is the better choice if you use Android or Windows, want Markdown and [[wikilinks]] that connect notes to real tasks, or want to own and export your data without lock-in.
Does mirv work offline / on Apple devices too?
Yes. mirv is local-first, so it keeps working when you're offline and syncs when you're back online. It also runs as native apps on iPhone, iPad and macOS, so you don't have to leave the Apple ecosystem to use it — you just aren't locked into it.
Is mirv free like Apple Notes?
Yes. mirv's notes app, task manager and built-in AI agent are free, with no credit card and no trial wall. An optional Pro upgrade exists for power users, but the core notes and tasks are free — and you can export everything anytime.
Ready to leave Apple Notes behind?
Import your notes in a few clicks, keep them in Markdown you actually own, and link them to real tasks on every device. Free — no credit card, ever.
Try mirv free →