Scribbling limits in free version of Evernote set to test users' patience

Deckchairs continue to be rearranged on the jotting platform?

Evernote plans to slap restrictions on users of its free tier, and from early next month there will be a limit of 50 notes and one notebook per account.

The limits will hit new and existing users of the free tier from December 4. However, the company noted that "any Free user who currently has more than fifty notes and one notebook will still be able to view, edit, export, share, and delete existing notes and notebooks."

The hope is that rather than sticking with the free tier, users will use the freebie option to explore what Evernote offers, and then sign up for something a little more premium. The current personal and professional tiers cost just under $129.99 and $169.99, respectively, per year.

"We recognize that these changes may lead you to reconsider your relationship with Evernote," added the announcement before it continued to urge users to move to paid options to keep the lights on.

"There are exciting plans in store for Evernote," said the company, "and we'd love for you to experience them."

So long as you pay up.

User reactions were mixed. While many understood the business requirements behind the change – Evernote is not the first company to tighten up a Free tier or amend a Freemium model – there was also some resignation and anger.

One said: "I totally understand this from the business point of view. Server space costs money, dev time costs money, research and development costs money.

"This with the price hike is a lot to take in, personally I am leaving EN for Obsidian."

Obsidian is one alternative. Similar products are also offered by companies including Microsoft or Google.

Evernote began life as a darling of jotters the world over. Last year, it was snapped up by Italian mobile app company Bending Spoons, having made some spectacular missteps while its rivals piled on the features. Once hugely popular, it rarely troubles the top of the productivity charts these days. ®