Evernote Problems & Issues
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Should you use Evernote?
ByeEvernote disappoints many users (score 40/100). Most reported issues: Why is Evernote so expensive? Repeated price increases since 2023; Evernote free plan limited to 50 notes, 1 notebook and 1 device; Unresponsive customer support after layoffs. Not a good fit for: Long-time Evernote users with large note collections; Budget-conscious users and students; Users who need reliable sync across devices. Users most often switch to Notion, Obsidian, Microsoft OneNote.
Top problems
- Why is Evernote so expensive? Repeated price increases since 2023
- Evernote free plan limited to 50 notes, 1 notebook and 1 device
- Unresponsive customer support after layoffs
Avoid if you are
- Long-time Evernote users with large note collections
- Budget-conscious users and students
- Users who need reliable sync across devices
Common alternatives: Notion, Obsidian, Microsoft OneNote
Score breakdown
Oct 2026 refresh: pricing lowered again after the 2026 move to Starter ($99/yr) and Advanced ($249.99/yr), which roughly doubled costs for many renewing users, on top of a free plan capped at 50 notes and 1 device. Clipper, OCR search and active development keep it from scoring lower.
Overview
Evernote is a veteran note-taking app with a strong web clipper, OCR search and tasks, owned by Bending Spoons since 2023. Under the new owner the free plan was cut to 50 notes, 1 notebook and 1 device, and paid plans were consolidated into Starter ($99/year) and Advanced ($249.99/year). Best for long-time users who rely on its clipper and search; most others now find cheaper alternatives.
Evernote Not Working? Common Errors & Fixes
Step-by-step fixes for the errors users hit most.
Evernote Not Syncing
Evernote stops syncing when there's a service issue, you're over your device limit, the app is outdated, or one bad note blocks the queue. Check Evernote Web first, then sign out, restart and sign back in.
Evernote "Syncing Temporarily Paused" Error
This message means Evernote's servers can't accept your changes right now, usually because of a service issue. It clears on its own once Evernote reconnects; your edits stay on the device and sync later.
Evernote Note Limit Reached (Free Plan)
Evernote Free allows only 50 notes and 1 notebook. Over that, you can still view, edit and export notes but can't create new ones. Delete notes and empty the trash, or upgrade to Starter (1,000 notes) or Advanced (unlimited).
Evernote Device Limit Reached
Free accounts can sync only 1 device (Evernote Web counts) and Starter 3. Unsync an old device in Account Settings, but Free and Starter users can unsync only 2 devices per month.
Why Is Evernote So Slow?
Evernote slowdowns usually come from an outdated app, huge notes and attachments, low disk space or, on Windows, hardware acceleration and old GPU drivers. Update everything, restart, and toggle hardware acceleration.
Evernote Web Clipper Not Working
The Web Clipper usually fails because of blocked third-party cookies, ad or tracker blockers, an outdated extension, or a disabled extension. Allow cookies for Evernote, pause blockers, update and re-sign in.
How to Export Evernote Notes to ENEX
Export only works in the Evernote desktop app for Mac or Windows. Right-click a notebook or selected notes, choose Export, and pick ENEX. Large selections are limited, so export notebook by notebook or use evernote-backup.
Evernote App Not Opening or Crashing
If Evernote won't open or keeps crashing, update to the latest version, sign out and restart, and as a last resort reinstall — but first confirm your notes are on Evernote Web, because unsynced local notes are deleted on reinstall.
Evernote Stuck on "Signing In" / Can't Log In
Login loops are most often caused by ad blockers, VPNs or browser cache on the sign-in page. Clear the browser cache, disable blockers for accounts.evernote.com, and check your device clock if 2FA codes are rejected.
Evernote Search Not Working
If Evernote search misses notes you know exist, check the note is synced on Evernote Web and update the app. When notes still can't be found, users report Evernote support fixed it by rebuilding the account's search index.
How to Cancel Evernote Subscription
Cancel on Evernote Web under Account Settings > Billing, or in the App Store / Google Play if you subscribed there. Export your notes first: after the paid period ends you drop to Free, with its 50-note and 1-device limits.
Evernote Refund Request
After cancelling, you can request a refund for your last payment via the 'Need help?' button next to Billing history or Evernote's contact form. Requests outside the refund policy are denied, so ask right after an unwanted renewal.
Signals & Issues
Patterns extracted from real user feedback — not raw reviews.
Bending Spoons has raised prices several times: renewal notices in 2024 jumped some yearly plans from about $64 to $114, Personal accounts in Europe were moved to Advanced at EUR 18.99/month in September 2025, and in 2026 users were emailed that Personal/Professional were being replaced by Starter ($99/yr) and Advanced ($249.99/yr). Long-time users report their bill roughly doubling.
The free plan caps you at 50 notes, 1 notebook, 1 synced device (Evernote Web counts as that device) and 1 GB of storage. Once you go over, you can still view, edit and export notes but cannot create new ones, and notes in the trash still count toward the limit.
Users report being charged without authorization and facing difficulties canceling subscriptions. One long-time user had their 13-year subscription cancelled due to a credit card glitch, then was charged twice ($62 and $309.99) before access was restored. Account deletion requests are ignored.
The 2026 plans bundle AI Assistant, Semantic Search, AI Transcribe and AI Edit into both Starter and Advanced. Several long-time users say they only need notes and clipping and resent paying a higher price for AI tools they never use, and that the main difference between tiers is storage.
After Bending Spoons laid off nearly all US employees in 2023, customer support has deteriorated significantly. Users report accounts cancelled without reimbursement, being charged while locked out, and receiving only automated replies. Some cannot even contact support because their accounts were cancelled.
Users regularly report notes that do not appear on other devices, 'Syncing temporarily paused' messages and single notes that refuse to sync and block the rest. Causes range from server-side incidents to device-limit overruns and corrupted individual notes; the fixes are mostly manual (recreate the note, sign out and back in).
Users who let a subscription lapse or downgrade to Free report suddenly being unable to sync or edit until they unsync all but one device. Free and Starter users can only unsync up to 2 devices per month, which makes switching phones or computers painful.
The app suffers from slow loading and lag, particularly on mobile. The web app takes 30 seconds to a minute to load before you can do anything, with upgrade pop-ups appearing every time. Users report V10 getting slower on loading notes and searching, with frequent crashes especially when handling large amounts of data.
The Version 10 redesign introduced GUI changes nobody asked for, added functions that ruined workflows, and in some cases the app doesn't start after updates. Users describe V10 as making once-simple things now take more steps. The forced migration from Legacy was costly in workflow disruption.
The free version prompts users to buy the paid version every time they open it, with intrusive pop-ups that require navigating through UX traps to close. Users find this experience hostile and indicative of a product prioritizing revenue extraction over user experience.
The interface can be cluttered and overwhelming, making navigation difficult. The search functionality barely works, and it's not obvious when search is within a note versus across all notes. Customization options are limited compared to competitors.
Export only works in the Mac or Windows desktop app, not on web or mobile, and is limited to batches of selected notes (users report 50-100 at a time) or whole notebooks. ENEX is the only full-fidelity format, so most people moving thousands of notes rely on notebook-by-notebook exports or third-party tools like evernote-backup.
What Users Love
Powerful web clipper for saving content
Evernote's web clipper remains one of the best in the industry, allowing users to save articles, PDFs, and web content directly to notebooks with various formatting options.
Excellent OCR and document search
The ability to search text within images, PDFs, and handwritten notes is powerful. OCR works reliably across uploaded documents, making all content searchable.
Wide range of integrations
Evernote integrates with many popular apps including Google Drive, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Outlook. The ecosystem built over 20 years remains valuable.
Rich note formatting options
Notes support tables, checkboxes, attachments, audio recordings, and formatted text. The note editor handles complex content well when it works properly.
Still actively developed: tasks, calendar and AI tools
Unlike many legacy apps, Evernote keeps shipping features under Bending Spoons: built-in tasks, Evernote Calendar with external calendar connections, AI Transcribe, Semantic Search and an MCP connection to AI tools. Some long-time users credit the new owner for ongoing development.
Pricing Plans
Users: 1 user
Storage: 1 GB, 200 attachments
- ✓50 notes
- ✓1 notebook
- ✓20 tags
- ✓1 synced device
- ✓1 external calendar
- ✓Web clipper
Limitations: Cannot create new notes once over 50; only 2 device unsyncs per month
Users: 1 user
Storage: 5 GB, 1,000 attachments
- ✓1,000 notes
- ✓20 notebooks
- ✓100 tags
- ✓3 synced devices
- ✓5 external calendars
- ✓Offline notes
- ✓AI features
Limitations: Hard caps on notes, notebooks and devices; storage capped
Users: 1 user
Storage: Unlimited (safeguard limits apply)
- ✓Unlimited notes and notebooks
- ✓Unlimited devices (safeguard limits)
- ✓Unlimited storage
- ✓AI Assistant, Semantic Search, AI Transcribe
- ✓40% student discount on 1-year plan
Limitations: Individual plan only, no team admin
Users: Per seat
Storage: From 250 MB up to unlimited
- ✓Centralized admin
- ✓SSO
- ✓User activity logs
- ✓Data ownership
- ✓Priority support / CSM on some tiers
- ✓14-day trial
Limitations: Flexible plan limits scale with seats
Features
Capture
- Web clipper
Still one of the best web clippers
- Document scanning
Mobile app feature
Search
- OCR search
Text search in images and PDFs
Reliability
- Cross-device sync
Free: 1 device (Web counts), Starter: 3, Advanced: unlimited
- Offline access
Paid plans only
AI
- AI features
Starter plan and above
Storage
- Unlimited notes
Advanced plan only ($249.99/year)
Pricing
- Free tier
Limited to 50 notes, 1 device
Usability
- Note templates
Available
- Markdown support
No native markdown
Organization
- Tags and notebooks
Notebook limits on lower tiers
- Bidirectional linking
Not available
Productivity
- Task management
Basic tasks within notes
Integrations
- Third-party integrations
Google Drive, Slack, etc.
Security
- Data export
Desktop app only, ENEX/HTML, batch or per-notebook
- Local-first storage
Cloud-only, data on Evernote servers
- End-to-end encryption
No E2EE; only in-note text encryption on Mac/Windows
- Open source
Proprietary
Who Should Use This?
Neutral
Users heavily invested in web clipping workflow
Evernote's web clipper remains one of the best. If web clipping is your primary use case and you're willing to pay, it may still work. But consider alternatives like Raindrop.io or Notion.
Sales teams
Web clipper useful for research, but no CRM features. Better as supplementary tool than primary sales workspace.
Researchers and academics
Good web clipping and OCR, but limited linking and organization compared to modern alternatives like Obsidian or Notion.
Avoid
Long-time Evernote users with large note collections
The drastic price increases (up to 3x) combined with data export difficulties create a situation where years of notes are effectively held hostage. Consider migrating to alternatives before investing more in the platform.
Budget-conscious users and students
The 50-note free tier is very restrictive and paid plans start at $99/year. Students get 40% off Advanced, but free tools like OneNote, Apple Notes or Obsidian still cost less.
Users who need reliable sync across devices
Free is limited to 1 device (Web included) and Starter to 3, sync errors are a recurring complaint, and fixes are mostly manual. Only Advanced removes device limits.
Teams looking for collaboration tools
After laying off most staff, Evernote's team features are underdeveloped compared to Notion, Confluence, or even free tools like Google Docs. Customer support is unreliable.
Power users wanting customization
V10 removed many power user features, the interface is rigid, and competitors like Obsidian and Notion offer far more customization. Evernote's development appears focused on monetization, not features.
Engineering teams
No code blocks, no Git integration, poor Markdown support. Engineers should use Obsidian, Notion, or dedicated documentation tools.
Regret Patterns
Common buyer's remorse scenarios reported by users.
Long-time users realize their years of notes are difficult to export. The export feature crashes, only works from desktop, and exports in proprietary format. By the time they want to leave, migration is a massive undertaking.
Users trying Evernote hit the 50-note limit quickly, often while organizing existing notes or in the middle of an important project. The aggressive upgrade prompts create immediate pressure to pay.
Users who auto-renew are shocked to see prices 2-3x higher than previous years. Some report charges of $309.99 after previously paying ~$70. The lack of grandfathering or gradual increases feels like betrayal.
Users who bought lifetime or multi-year plans before the acquisition feel their investment was wasted. The product has changed dramatically under new ownership, but they're locked into a service that no longer matches what they bought.
Users who cancel expecting a free fallback find they are over the note or device limit, can't create notes, and must unsync devices (max 2 per month) before Evernote works normally again.
When It Breaks Down
Scenarios where this product tends to fail users.
Free users are limited to 1 device. Even paid users experience sync conflicts, duplicate notes, and delays. When you need the same note across phone, tablet, and computer, Evernote's sync issues become a daily frustration.
Export is limited to 100 notes at a time from desktop only. Large collections crash the export. The ENEX format requires conversion. Users report spending days or weeks migrating their notes, if they can export at all.
After laying off most staff, support is unreliable. Users report being charged while locked out of accounts, cancelled subscriptions without refunds, and automated responses with no human follow-up. BBB complaints have increased.
At 50 notes and 1 device, the free tier is barely functional. Most serious users hit these limits within weeks. The jump to $99+/year is steep compared to free alternatives like Notion or OneNote.
Each new device counts against the limit, and Free/Starter users can only unsync 2 devices per month, so frequent device changes leave you locked out of syncing.
Export is desktop-only and batched; large ENEX files sometimes fail to import elsewhere due to malformed content, so a full migration usually means notebook-by-notebook exports or a third-party tool.
Alternatives Users Switch To
Notion
9x mentionedUsers switch for modern interface and flexibility. Gain: databases, better collaboration, more features. Trade-off: slower, requires internet.
Microsoft OneNote
8x mentionedFree alternative with no note limits, deep Microsoft 365 integration, and infinite canvas. Great for users who don't want to pay after Evernote's price increases. Especially popular with students.
Obsidian
7x mentionedUsers switch for local storage and linking. Gain: offline-first, own your data, powerful plugins. Trade-off: no web clipper, learning curve.
Apple Notes
5x mentionedApple users switch for simplicity and free. Gain: native iOS/macOS integration, fast, free. Trade-off: Apple ecosystem only, basic features.
Joplin
5x mentionedOpen-source Evernote alternative that imports ENEX files directly. Free, supports end-to-end encryption, and you control where data is stored. Popular among privacy-conscious users fleeing Evernote.
UpNote
4x mentionedUsers leaving after the 2026 price change pick UpNote for a similar notebook-style app with Evernote import and a much lower one-time or subscription price. Trade-off: weaker web clipper and no OCR search.
Frequently Asked Questions
See how Evernote compares in our Best Note Taking Software rankings, or calculate costs with our Budget Calculator.
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