I love trying to keep organized, although I don’t always succeed at doing so. There are three very similar note-taking applications (probably more out there that I haven’t found yet) out there that claim to be your “Notebook” online and everywhere.

Evernote, Springpad and now Catch are all organizational note-taking apps that can be accessed from multiple devices. Each one has its own merits, but a person doesn’t need all three.

Evernote

Currently I pay for the premium version of Evernote, they were the original of the three. I like their service and their desktop app is awesome for quick note taking and clipping of things on the Interwebs.

Evernote bills itself as a way to “Remember Everything” – Their homepage states, in addition to that tag line:

• Capture Anything – Save your ideas, things you like, things you hear, and things you see.
• Access Anywhere – Evernote works with nearly every computer, phone and mobile device out there.
• Find Things Fast – Search by keyword, tag or even printed and handwritten text inside images.

If you pay for the premium version you get a secure connection which is a plus, but is this the right option for me?

Springpad

A newer player in this market, it has similar features to Evernote but with easier ability to share with friends and with the world. I don’t think they have a desktop app but their Android app is great, as is their Website.

Springpad’s tag line is “Notes. Really, really smart notes.”

They also state on their homepage:

• Save – Quickly and easily save ideas and information you want to remember
• Organize – Springpad automatically categorizes your stuff and enhances it with useful links
• Act – Share your stuff, set reminders, and get alerts to relevant news, offers and deals

Now the interesting thing about Springpad is that they will suggest stuff to you that are affiliate link. This is good and bad. Obviously this is how they make money, but isn’t it a bit intrusive? It’s sort of how Mint, the financial Website and app stays free and useful.

Thoughts?

Catch

I literally just found out about these guys today. They’re a San Francisco startup that prides itself on both security and with how easy it is to share with social networking if you choose to. They provide very robust (from what I’m reading) connections to your content and protect your notes behind a  digit password for safety.

Their tagline is “The easiest way to capture what matters.”

There homepage goes on to say:

• Catch helps you create one place to privately capture & find your notable thoughts, ideas, images, places, lists & anything else you’d rather not forget.
• Catch from virtually anywhere – Our mobile apps, browser extensions & email notes keep Catch by your side
• We care about your security – Free SSL security, 24-7, Encrypted mobile sync, Mobile passcode protection

Like I said before I like the security aspect and I like free. They do have a premium version that gives you longer notes more storage per month. It’s about the same price as Evernote.

Quandry

They all look like great solutions, but which do I choose? Can I use more than one? Which is going to be around for the long haul? What do you guys think about these notepad apps? Post your thoughts in the comments.