If you rely on Evernote for taking notes, managing tasks, or organizing business ideas, you may have heard rumors about Evernote “going out of business.” These concerns have grown louder, especially after changes in ownership, high-profile layoffs, and recent restrictions on free plans. Many wonder: is Evernote still safe to use, or should you start planning your exit?
Let’s clear up Evernote’s real status, what’s happening behind the scenes, and what practical steps you should consider if you depend on this service.
Company Background and Ownership Changes: Who Runs Evernote Now?
Start by understanding who owns and controls Evernote today. Evernote continues to exist as both a product and a company. In late 2022, Evernote was acquired by Bending Spoons, a technology company based in Italy. This marked the end of Evernote’s era as a Silicon Valley startup.
With this change, Evernote moved its headquarters and operational focus from the United States to Europe. The transition led to all US employees being laid off, consolidating Evernote’s operations under its new European management. This change of ownership and geography is significant because it signals both a pivot in corporate culture and a search for sustainable profitability.
Despite these shifts, it’s important to note there has been no official announcement of bankruptcy or a scheduled shutdown. Evernote, under Bending Spoons, continues to develop and promote the core note-taking app that millions use.
Restructuring and Layoffs: Is Evernote in Trouble?
Evernote’s new owners have made serious cost-cutting moves. Soon after the acquisition, in February 2023, Bending Spoons laid off 129 employees. A few months later, all remaining US staff were let go when the company relocated its operations to Europe. This follows a long pattern of financial challenges for Evernote, dating back to 2015 when the company already faced heavy layoffs and office closures.
In addition to its US restructuring, Evernote has dissolved some national entities, such as its UK company in 2017. More recently, in 2024, Evernote’s Japanese subsidiary was formally shut down. However, Evernote made clear that this was only a legal restructuring and not a sign of any service shutdown for users in Japan.
So what does this mean for you? From the outside, such moves can look like a company falling apart. But internally, these actions are designed to reduce costs and keep the core Evernote product alive.
Operational Status: Is the Evernote App Still Running?
Evernote remains fully operational. The app is still available on all major platforms, including the App Store, Google Play, and the Microsoft Store. Evernote’s cloud service is active, and there has been no public announcement about ending support or closing the service.
Both Evernote and Bending Spoons emphasize their ongoing commitment to keeping Evernote secure and available. When Japanese operations closed, Evernote specifically told customers the app would continue without disruption. If you’re currently an Evernote user, your notes and data remain accessible as before.
Signs of Business Strain: What’s Changing and Why Does It Matter?
While Evernote isn’t shutting down, there are important indicators that you should not ignore. The business is under clear pressure, and these signals could affect long-term reliability:
Restrictive Free Plans: In 2023, Evernote placed sharp limits on its free plan—users can now only edit 50 notes and use only one device. For years, Evernote offered far more generous free access, which attracted a loyal user base.
Aggressive Price Increases: Many users have reported sharp price hikes, with some saying the lowest annual subscription now costs around $130 or more. The substantial jump shocked longtime users and has led to frustration.
Increasing User Dissatisfaction: Technology news sites and user forums are filled with negative comments. Many feel the combination of higher prices and limited free options pushes loyal users to look for alternatives. Some users openly discuss their plan to leave Evernote, or they have already migrated to services like Notion or Microsoft OneNote.
Financial Reports Show Medium Risk: Recent credit assessments place Evernote at a “moderate” risk of default, but not on the verge of collapse. Analysts say the company’s financial position is stable but not robust, given the competitive challenges in the digital productivity market.
Longstanding Monetization Problem: Since at least 2015, Evernote has had trouble converting free users to paying customers. This low paid conversion ratio forced earlier layoffs and was cited as a main driver for the company’s eventual sale to Bending Spoons.
Here’s why this matters: ongoing cost-cutting, legal restructures, and price increases reflect a company working hard to survive rather than one on a clear growth path. If Evernote is central to your operations, these signals suggest that you should prepare for possible changes, just as you would with any business-critical service facing headwinds.
Practical Steps for Evernote Users: Manage the Risks and Stay in Control
Depending on your situation, you should focus on two key risk management strategies: protecting your data and preparing an alternative if Evernote’s future becomes uncertain.
Start by routinely backing up your notes. Evernote offers export options, allowing you to download and store copies of your notes and notebooks on your own devices. Make this a part of your monthly or quarterly process—much like you would back up important business files or client contracts.
Next, explore other note-taking apps now, while you still have time and all your data. Consider leading alternatives such as Notion, Obsidian, or Microsoft OneNote. Try importing a sample of your exported Evernote notes into these platforms. This gives you a sense of how your data translates and whether an alternative could truly meet your needs.
If you use Evernote in a team setting, discuss these steps openly so everyone is aligned. Assign someone to monitor Evernote’s status and coordinate backups. This proactive approach reduces disruption and allows you to maintain compliance with your document retention and business continuity policies.
Some Japanese technology experts have specifically advised all Evernote users to keep current backups, due to the organization’s lack of transparency and history of sudden changes. Treat this advice as best practice, even if you aren’t in Japan.
Evernote’s Outlook: Still in Business, but Handle with Caution
So, is Evernote really going out of business? Here’s the clear, evidence-based answer: Evernote is not in liquidation, not officially shutting down its app, and the parent company, Bending Spoons, continues to treat Evernote as an ongoing product.
But the workplace reality is this: Evernote is under considerable operational and financial strain. The past few years have seen heavy layoffs, regional company closures, shifting operational bases, aggressive price hikes, and a stream of customers looking elsewhere.
Startups and small businesses often go through pivots and restructuring as they look for a viable financial path. In Evernote’s case, this has meant switching management, consolidating staff in Europe, and monetizing the product more aggressively. These moves buy time, but they do not guarantee long-term success.
Evernote’s situation is similar to many well-known productivity apps that have faced pressure. Services may continue for years in this state, but users must weigh the risks of lock-in and the pain of a sudden shutdown. For many entrepreneurs, the risk is not just losing data but losing workflow continuity or access to collaborative workspaces.
Here’s how to approach it: define your objective (continued use or migration); outline your backup requirements; and set a timeline for periodic status reviews. Encourage your team to keep an eye on Evernote’s official channels and consider parallel testing of other solutions.
If you want broader guidance about how operational risk affects business continuity, check out resources at MinifyBusiness.com for more actionable strategies.
Final Verdict: Treat Evernote as a Medium-Risk Service and Safeguard Your Data
In summary, Evernote is not currently going out of business, but it is a company in heavy transition, working to solve deep-rooted business challenges with external changes. For now, Evernote is available, maintained, and promoted by its new owner. However, the volume of layoffs, plan restrictions, price hikes, and loud user dissent suggest that users should treat Evernote as a “medium-risk” business tool, not a low-risk staple.
This does not mean you need to make a hurried exit, but you should stay alert. Regular backups, a test migration, and a clear plan protect you and your business if bigger changes come.
Whether you decide to stick with Evernote or move to another solution, acting early and staying informed keeps your notes—and your business—secure and adaptable for whatever happens next.
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