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Microsoft OneNote

Free-form digital notebook from Microsoft.

FreeNote-taking apps
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About Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is a digital notebook where you can type, draw and paste content anywhere on a free-form page. Notes are organized into notebooks, sections and pages, which mirrors a physical binder. It works especially well with a pen on tablets, and it integrates with Outlook, Teams and the rest of Microsoft 365. Notebooks sync through OneDrive, and the app is free to use with a Microsoft account, with extra storage coming from a Microsoft 365 subscription. It is a natural fit for students and Windows users.

Best for: Handwritten and free-form notes inside the Microsoft ecosystem.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Free with a Microsoft account
  • Great pen and handwriting support
  • Tight Microsoft 365 integration

Why people leave

  • Notebook structure can get messy
  • Exporting to other apps is awkward

Top Microsoft OneNote alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1Joplin logo
    Joplin

    Open-source notebooks with encrypted sync and Markdown files.

    69.8
  2. 2Evernote logo
    Evernote

    Stronger web clipping and search across scanned documents.

    65.3
  3. 3Notion logo
    Notion

    Adds databases and team wikis beyond free-form pages.

    57.8
  4. 4Google Keep logo
    Google Keep

    Simpler free notes and lists if OneNote feels heavy.

    40.0
  5. 5Goodnotes logo
    Goodnotes

    Better handwriting and PDF markup for tablet users.

    40.0

Why people left Microsoft OneNote

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Reviews

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Microsoft OneNote: common questions

Is Microsoft OneNote free?

Yes, Microsoft OneNote is free to use.

Is Microsoft OneNote open source?

No, Microsoft OneNote is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Joplin.

What platforms does Microsoft OneNote run on?

Microsoft OneNote is available for Web, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.

What are the best alternatives to Microsoft OneNote?

The highest-ranked Microsoft OneNote alternatives right now are Joplin, Evernote and Notion. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 Microsoft OneNote alternatives