Microsoft OneNote vs Joplin

Microsoft OneNote9.3Visit Joplin8.6Visit

Higher score Microsoft OneNote #1 in Note-Taking Apps 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit site

vs

Joplin #6 in Note-Taking Apps 8.6/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Joplin

• Microsoft OneNote fits best

  Microsoft-focused users and collaborative teams

• Joplin fits best

  Open-source, privacy-conscious note takers

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Side by side

Feature	Microsoft OneNote 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Joplin 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.6
Ranking	#1 in Note-Taking Apps	#6 in Note-Taking Apps
Best for	Microsoft-focused users and collaborative teams	Open-source, privacy-conscious note takers
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$99.99/yr	€2.40/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Docs	Community, Docs
Integrations	10 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft OneNote 3/3 · Joplin 3/3
Offline access	✓	✓
Note sharing	✓	✓
Real-time collaboration	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	web, windows, macos, ios, android	web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, API
Storage limit	5 GB (best)	2 GB
Integrations	OneDrive, SharePoint, Microsoft Graph, Zapier, Salesforce, Trello, Basecamp, Wufoo, Twitter, Feedly	Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, S3, WebDAV, Dropbox, OneDrive, Local filesystem
Our review
Pros	Supports text, handwriting, drawings, media, OCR, and voice transcription Offline editing, real-time co-authoring, and permission-based notebook sharing Integrates with Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Office apps	Open-source, Markdown-based notes with offline-first local access End-to-end encrypted synchronisation and multiple storage options Broad platform coverage with clipping, publishing and plugins
Cons	Copilot and desktop features depend on eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions Notebook storage is limited to 2 GB when saved in OneDrive or SharePoint The broad feature set may feel more structured than a lightweight notes app	Collaboration and publishing features depend on Joplin Cloud Basic limits notes and attachments to 10 MB Advanced storage tiers cost more than the entry plan
Our verdict	Microsoft OneNote is a digital note-taking application for individuals, students, teachers, and teams. Its notebook, section, and page structure supports typed text, handwriting, drawings, images, links, lists, audio, and video. Notes can… Read the review →	Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application for individuals and teams who want Markdown editing, local access and control over synchronisation. It organises content with notebooks and tags, supports full-text search, and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Microsoft OneNote — where it wins

  • Supports text, handwriting, drawings, media, OCR, and voice transcription
  • Offline editing, real-time co-authoring, and permission-based notebook sharing
  • Integrates with Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Office apps

  Where it doesn't

  • Copilot and desktop features depend on eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions
  • Notebook storage is limited to 2 GB when saved in OneDrive or SharePoint
  • The broad feature set may feel more structured than a lightweight notes app

• Joplin — where it wins

  • Open-source, Markdown-based notes with offline-first local access
  • End-to-end encrypted synchronisation and multiple storage options
  • Broad platform coverage with clipping, publishing and plugins

  Where it doesn't

  • Collaboration and publishing features depend on Joplin Cloud
  • Basic limits notes and attachments to 10 MB
  • Advanced storage tiers cost more than the entry plan

• Microsoft OneNote9.3/10 · Free plan

  A broad, collaborative note system with strong Microsoft integration and a capable free option.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• Joplin8.6/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

  A privacy-focused Markdown notebook that works across desktop, mobile and web.

  Visit JoplinFull verdict →