If you’re in university, your phone is probably already full of lecture photos, rushed screenshots, and half-written notes.
Choosing the best note taking app for android can turn that chaos into something you can actually revise from, instead of just scrolling and panicking before exams.
The best note taking app for android should cater to your unique studying needs.
In this guide, I’ll talk to you as a student, not a tech reviewer. We’ll look at what you really need from an Android note-taking app, why Microsoft OneNote is my top pick for university students, its pros and cons, how it compares to Google Keep and Notion, and a simple way to set it up for your semester.
What Do University Students Actually Need from a Note-Taking App?
Before we pick an app, let’s be clear about the job.
As a university student, your Android note-taking app should help you:
- Capture lectures quickly (text, slide photos, maybe audio).
- Organize notes by course, week, and topic.
- Sync with your laptop or tablet for revision.
- Handle different formats: text, images, formulas, links, PDFs.
- Be reliable and preferably free.
That’s the baseline. With that in mind, let’s see why OneNote often stands out as the best note taking app for android for university students.
Why OneNote Is a Strong “Best Note Taking App for Android” for Students
Microsoft OneNote is a free digital notebook from Microsoft that works on Android, Windows, Mac, iOS, and the web. Microsoft Support+1
On Android, you get an app where you can type, draw, add pictures, record audio, and organize everything in notebooks, sections, and pages—just like a real set of binders. Microsoft Support+1
For university life, that structure is gold.
Choosing the right app can ensure that you have the best note taking app for android to handle all your academic needs.
Many students find that the best note taking app for android really helps them stay organized throughout the semester.
Notebooks, Sections, and Pages = Courses, Topics, and Lectures
OneNote’s basic structure maps perfectly to your semester:
- Notebook → Your whole semester or degree (e.g., “Year 2” or “Spring 2026”).
- Sections → Individual courses (e.g., “Organic Chemistry”, “Microeconomics”).
- Pages → Specific lectures, weeks, or topics (e.g., “Week 4 – Supply & Demand”). Microsoft Support+1
This makes it easy to find notes later when your professor says, “This will be on the final.”
Mixed Media: Perfect for Real Lectures
In real life, lectures aren’t just text.
On Android, OneNote lets you:
- Type bullet points and definitions.
- Insert photos of slides or the whiteboard directly into your notes. Google Play
- Draw diagrams or underline formulas with a stylus or your finger. MSW Tutor+1
- Record short voice notes when the professor explains something complex. Microsoft Support
So if your professor changes the slide too fast, you can snap a photo, paste it on the page, and write your explanation under it.
Sync Across Devices for Study Sessions
Most students don’t revise only on their phones.
When you sign in to OneNote with your Microsoft account, your notes are synced to OneDrive so you can open them on your laptop, tablet, or another phone. Microsoft Support+1
That means:
- Take notes in class on your Android.
- Review and highlight them later on your laptop.
- Add extra details from textbooks at home.
For university students, that cross-device setup is a massive part of what makes OneNote feel like the best note-taking app for Android.
Advantages of Using OneNote as a University Student
Let’s break down the pros in a student-friendly way.
1. It’s Free and Legit
OneNote is free to download and use, and it’s made by Microsoft. Microsoft Support+1
You’re not depending on some random app that might disappear in a year. For a long time, stability has mattered.
2. Great for Big, Complicated Subjects
Subjects like medicine, engineering, law, or computer science can get messy fast.
OneNote helps by:
- Letting you split a course into sections: lectures, labs, tutorials, and assignments. Microsoft Support+1
- Keeping all your lecture slides, formulas, and diagrams on the same pages.
- Letting you search across all your notes when revising.
It’s like having a digital binder that never runs out of pages.
3. Works Well With Visual and Typed Notes
Some students like typing; others like handwriting and drawing.
Utilizing the best note taking app for android can lead to better organization of your study materials.
On Android, OneNote supports:
- Typing blocks of text.
- Freehand drawing, highlighting, and sketching. MSW Tutor+1
- Mixing the two on the same page.
Students agree that the best note taking app for android should be user-friendly.
So you can type the theory and draw the diagram underneath it, all in one place.
4. Good for Group Projects
If your group uses Microsoft accounts, you can:
- Share a notebook or section. Microsoft Support+1
- Let everyone add research, meeting notes, or task lists.
Instead of notes getting lost in random WhatsApp chats, they stay organized in a single shared space.
Disadvantages: When OneNote Might Annoy You
No app is perfect, and OneNote has its downsides—especially from a student’s point of view.
1. Heavier and More Complex Than Simple Apps
If you only want to make tiny to-do lists, OneNote can feel like a spaceship.
- Lots of buttons and options.
- Freeform pages instead of simple lines.
The power is excellent once you learn it, but there is a little learning curve.
2. Needs a Microsoft Account
To sync notes and use OneNote properly, you need a Microsoft account. Microsoft Support+1
It’s free, but if you hate signing up for accounts, this might annoy you at first.
3. Occasional Sync Issues
Most of the time, sync works fine.
But some users report that notes sometimes don’t sync perfectly between phone and PC, or take a while to appear. Microsoft Support+1
If you rely on opening the latest version seconds before an exam, always double-check that everything has synced in advance.
How It Compares: OneNote vs Other Android Note-Taking Apps for Students
No rule says OneNote must be your app forever. Let’s quickly compare it to two other popular Android note-taking apps students like: Google Keep and Notion.
OneNote vs Google Keep
Google Keep is a super simple, colorful note app that works great for quick notes, lists, and reminders. Google Play+1
- ✅ Great for: to-do lists, quick ideas, grocery lists, tiny reminders. Drawboard+1
- ✅ Very fast and easy to use.
- ❌ Not designed for deep, long lecture notes or complex subjects.
Recently, Google has been changing how Keep reminders work and moving them into Google Tasks, which may confuse some users. TechRadar+1
With the right choice, the best note taking app for android can enhance your productivity.
When selecting the best note taking app for android, consider your specific academic requirements.
If you’re mainly managing small tasks and short notes, Keep is awesome. But for full-semester lecture notes, OneNote is usually better.
Many consider the best note taking app for android to be a game changer.
For those needing flexibility, the best note taking app for android is essential.
OneNote vs Notion
Notion is like a super-powered workspace: notes, databases, tasks, and more, all in one. It has many templates designed specifically for students and class notes. Notion+1
- ✅ Great for: organizing your whole life (courses, assignments, reading lists, projects).
- ✅ Database-style organization and beautiful templates.
- ❌ Can feel slow or heavy on some Android phones.
- ❌ Offline use is more limited compared to a simple notes app.
Notion is fantastic if you want to manage your entire academic life in one system. Still, if you mainly want to take strong lecture notes on your Android device, OneNote is easier and more stable.
Simple Setup: How to Use OneNote as a University Student
Here’s a chill, realistic way to start using OneNote as your best note-taking app for Android.
1. Create One “Semester Notebook.”
Start simple:
- Make a notebook called “University – Fall 2025” (or your current semester).
- Inside it, create a section for each course:
- “Biology 101”
- “History of Art”
- “Intro to Programming”
This already beats having notes spread across five different apps.
It’s crucial to find the best note taking app for android that aligns with your learning style.
The best note taking app for android has features that cater specifically to student needs.
2. Make a Page for Each Lecture
Every time you go to class, create a new page in the correct section:
- “Week 2 – Enzymes & Metabolism”
- “Lecture 5 – World War II Causes”
Type your notes on the right, insert photos of slides, and mark key definitions.
3. Add a Quick Summary After Class
After class (or that evening), open the page and:
- Add 3–5 bullet points at the top: “What did we actually learn?”
- Highlight or bold things that feel “exam-ish.”
- Add questions you still have.
This tiny habit turns your notes into a built-in revision tool.
4. Use Search Before Exams
A week before exams, use OneNote’s search to find topics:
- Search “photosynthesis,” “arrays,” “Keynes,” etc.
- Re-read all pages that mention those terms.
This is much faster than flipping through random notebooks or scrolling through your gallery full of lecture photos. Microsoft Support+1
Final Advice: Should You Use This App as a Uni SIs?
Is it the best note-taking app for university students on Android?
Here’s the honest version:
- If you want serious, long-term lecture notes, multiple courses, and cross-device syncing → OneNote is an excellent first choice.
- If you wish to fast, tiny sticky notes and quick lists → Google Keep might feel simpler.
- If you love planning your whole life in one system → Notion is worth exploring alongside OneNote.
My simple recommendation for you
Try this:
Use OneNote as your main note-taking app on Android for one whole week of classes.
Please put all your lecture notes in it. Create a notebook for your semester, sections for your courses, and pages for each lecture.
If you feel more organized, keep going and let it carry you through the semester.
If it feels too heavy, you’ll at least know precisely what you didn’t like—and you can switch to a simpler app like Google Keep without guessing.
Either way, you’ll be using your Android phone as a fundamental study tool, not just a distraction. And that’s the real win.
OneNote is often regarded as the best note taking app for android due to its versatility.
With the best note taking app for android, you can streamline your study process significantly.
Remember to utilize the best note taking app for android to its full potential.
Finding the best note taking app for android can make your studying much more efficient.
The best note taking app for android integrates smoothly with various devices.
Often, students find that the best note taking app for android helps them retain information better.