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Microsoft OneNote alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Microsoft OneNote: notebook structure can get messy, and exporting to other apps is awkward. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Microsoft OneNote, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Evernote currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Evernote logoEvernoteFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +22 of 374.7
2Joplin logoJoplinOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +31 of 369.8
3Notion logoNotionFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +21 of 367.3
4Goodnotes logoGoodnotesFree plan + paidNoiOS, macOS, Windows +24 of 440.0
  1. Evernote logo

    1. EvernoteTop pickAcquired

    Best for: Capturing web clippings, scans and mixed media in one searchable archive

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    74.7

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft OneNote

    Stronger web clipping and search across scanned documents.

    Pros

    • Excellent web clipper
    • Search inside images and PDFs
    • Mature apps on every platform

    Cons

    • Free tier is restrictive
    • Frequent plan changes since the acquisition
    Visit Evernote Compare with Microsoft OneNoteDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1563
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Evernote a good Microsoft OneNote alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, with limits
    Checked Oct 24, 2026evernote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Web clipper
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026evernote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Bending Spoons
    Not checked yetevernote.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Joplin logo

    2. Joplin

    Best for: Leaving Evernote for an open-source app with encrypted sync

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    69.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft OneNote

    Open-source notebooks with encrypted sync and Markdown files.

    Pros

    • Open source with end-to-end encryption
    • Sync with your own storage
    • Imports Evernote exports

    Cons

    • Interface is plainer than commercial apps
    • Collaboration features are basic
    Visit Joplin Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Joplin a good Microsoft OneNote alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Not checked yetgithub.com(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026joplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Evernote import
    Yes (ENEX files)
    Not checked yetjoplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Notion logo

    3. Notion

    Best for: Teams that want docs, wikis and simple databases in one place

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    67.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft OneNote

    Adds databases and team wikis beyond free-form pages.

    Pros

    • Flexible blocks and databases
    • Large template gallery
    • Strong sharing and permissions

    Cons

    • Needs an internet connection for most work
    • Large workspaces can feel slow
    Visit Notion Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1563
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Notion a good Microsoft OneNote alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026notion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
    Not checked yetnotion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    No
    Not checked yetnotion.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Goodnotes logo

    4. Goodnotes

    Best for: Students and professionals who take handwritten notes on a tablet

    Free plan + paidiOS, macOS, Windows, Android, Web

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft OneNote

    Better handwriting and PDF markup for tablet users.

    Pros

    • Excellent handwriting and PDF markup
    • Searchable handwriting and handwriting-to-text
    • Templates, stickers and notebook organisation
    • Available beyond Apple devices

    Cons

    • Free tier is very limited
    • Full AI features cost extra
    • Best experience needs a tablet and stylus
    Visit Goodnotes Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Goodnotes a good Microsoft OneNote alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, limited
    Checked Oct 25, 2026goodnotes.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    7 days on paid plans
    Checked Oct 25, 2026goodnotes.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Handwriting to text
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026goodnotes.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iOS/iPadOS, Mac, Windows, Android, web
    Checked Oct 25, 2026goodnotes.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Microsoft OneNote alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Evernote logo

Best Microsoft OneNote alternative for most people

Evernote

Stronger web clipping and search across scanned documents.

Joplin logo

Best Microsoft OneNote alternative for a free option

Joplin

Open-source notebooks with encrypted sync and Markdown files.

Notion logo

Best Microsoft OneNote alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Notion

Adds databases and team wikis beyond free-form pages.

Joplin logo

Best Microsoft OneNote alternative for open source

Joplin

Open-source notebooks with encrypted sync and Markdown files.

Joplin logo

Best Microsoft OneNote alternative for self-hosting

Joplin

Open-source notebooks with encrypted sync and Markdown files.

Goodnotes logo

Best Microsoft OneNote alternative for Mac

Goodnotes

Better handwriting and PDF markup for tablet users.

Evernote logo

Best Microsoft OneNote alternative for Windows

Evernote

Stronger web clipping and search across scanned documents.

Joplin logo

Best Microsoft OneNote alternative for Linux

Joplin

Open-source notebooks with encrypted sync and Markdown files.

Google Keep logo

Best Microsoft OneNote alternative for iPhone and Android

Google Keep

Simpler free notes and lists if OneNote feels heavy.

Evernote logo

Best Microsoft OneNote alternative for working in the browser

Evernote

Stronger web clipping and search across scanned documents.

Microsoft OneNote alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Microsoft OneNote?

Evernote ranks first right now. Stronger web clipping and search across scanned documents. Joplin and Notion follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft OneNote?

Yes. Evernote (free plan + paid), Joplin (open source), Notion (free plan + paid) and Google Keep (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft OneNote?

Yes: Joplin. Joplin can also be self-hosted.

Which Microsoft OneNote alternatives work on Linux?

Joplin runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Microsoft OneNote?

The complaints we hear most: notebook structure can get messy; exporting to other apps is awkward.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Microsoft OneNote, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.