What Are the Best Free Note Taking Apps for Android? (Top 5 for Nigerian Students)

What Are the Best Free Note Taking Apps for Android? (Top 5 for Nigerian Students)

Imagine this: You are in a crowded lecture hall. The lecturer is speeding through the topic like they have a flight to catch. Suddenly, your pen runs out of ink, or worse, you realize you left your “big note” back in the hostel.

It’s painful. We’ve all been there.

While writing on paper helps with memory retention, having a digital backup is a lifesaver. You have your phone with you 24/7, right? So why not turn it into a study tool? If you are tired of losing handouts or just want to get organized, you are probably asking: What are the best free note taking apps for Android?

There are hundreds on the Play Store, but most of them are filled with annoying ads or require you to pay in dollars (which is a headache right now).

I’ve tested a lot of them. Here are the top 5 free apps that will actually help you survive school without spending a kobo.

Table of Contents

1. Google Keep: For the “Flash” Thinkers

If you are the type of student who has a million ideas at once, Google Keep is your best friend. It’s not for writing long essays, but it is perfect for quick lists and reminders.

Think of it like digital sticky notes.

I use this heavily for “to-do” lists. You can color-code your notes (e.g., Red for urgent assignments, Green for personal stuff). The best part? It syncs with your Gmail. So if you change your phone today, your notes are still safe.

Best used for:

Jotting down quick ideas for a project.
Saving important numbers, like your profile codes, so you don’t face JAMB registration issues and NIN errors later on.
Setting location-based reminders (e.g., “Remind me to submit assignment when I get to Faculty of Science”).

Download: Get Google Keep here

2. Microsoft OneNote: The Digital Binder

This is arguably the most powerful free app on this list. If you are a university student dealing with massive course loads, OneNote is a game-changer.

Unlike other apps that restrict you to a straight line, OneNote is an “infinite canvas.” You can click anywhere on the screen and start typing. You can organize your notes into “Notebooks,” then “Sections,” and then “Pages.”

It feels exactly like a physical big note. You can have a Notebook for “100 Level,” a Section for “GST 101,” and pages for each lecture date.

Why I recommend it:

It handles images and voice recordings perfectly. You can record the lecturer while typing your notes (just ask for permission first!).
It’s amazing for organizing complex subjects. For example, if you are breaking down the JAMB syllabus for Biology and the topics you must read, OneNote lets you create a checklist for every single topic.

Download: Get Microsoft OneNote

3. Notion: The All-in-One Workspace

Okay, let me be honest with you. Notion has a learning curve. It might look confusing when you first open it.

But once you understand it? It is addictive.

Notion isn’t just for notes; it’s for managing your entire life. You can build reading lists, exam timetables, and even a grade calculator inside it. It uses a “block” system, meaning you can turn any text into a bullet point, a to-do list, or a separate page entirely.

Many Nigerian students use Notion to draft essay plans. Let’s say you are preparing arguments for a debate like leadership is the problem of this country. You can create a toggle list for “Points For” and “Points Against” so your screen doesn’t look cluttered.

The downside: It requires an internet connection to work best, although they have improved the offline mode recently.

4. ColorNote: The Lightweight Legend

Not everyone has a high-end Samsung or Pixel. If you are using an older Android phone or you are low on storage space, ColorNote is the answer.

It is tiny (just a few MBs), very fast, and does exactly what it says. It doesn’t need “big grammar” or complex setups. You open it, you write, you save.

I used this back in the day to track simple daily tasks. It’s widget-friendly too, meaning you can pin a note to your phone’s home screen so you never forget that 8 AM test.

Best used for:

Shopping lists.
Quick reminders.
Students with phones that have low RAM.

5. Zoho Notebook: The Visual Organizer

If you are a visual learner—someone who likes things to look beautiful—you will love Zoho.

Zoho creates distinct “cards” for different types of notes. A text note looks different from a checklist, which looks different from an audio note. It’s incredibly satisfying to look at.

It’s completely free. No ads, and they don’t sell your data. That’s rare these days.

It’s great for creative students. If you are sketching diagrams or need to attach files to your notes, Zoho handles it smoothly without lagging your phone.

Learn more: Visit the official Zoho Notebook site

So, which one should you choose?

When asking what are the best free note taking apps for Android, the answer depends on you.

For the serious student: Go with Microsoft OneNote. It replaces your physical notebooks perfectly.
For the organizer: Notion is the best, provided you have decent data.
For the quick thinker: Keep Google Keep on your phone for fast ideas.

My advice? Don’t just download all of them. Pick one, stick with it for a week, and see if it helps your grades.

Do you use any of these apps already? Or do you prefer the old-school pen and paper? Let me know in the comments section below!