Best Microsoft OneNote Alternatives in 2026
The top Microsoft OneNote alternatives are Notion, Evernote and Goodnotes: 15 Note-Taking apps our editors would look at instead of Microsoft OneNote, in our ranking order.
Microsoft OneNote: A broad, collaborative note system with strong Microsoft integration and a capable free option. Where it falls short: copilot and desktop features depend on eligible microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Switching from Microsoft OneNote? For most note-taking apps buyers the best Microsoft OneNote alternative is Notion, built for collaborative notes and knowledge bases. On a budget, Notesnook starts at $1.67/mo. SiYuan offers the most storage limit (8 GB).
Why People Look for a Microsoft OneNote Alternative
- 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
- Storage limit: 5 GB — up to 8 GB with SiYuan
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallNotion9.2
Collaborative notes and knowledge bases
Visit Notion - Lowest priceNotesnook7.8
Paid plans from $1.67/mo
Visit Notesnook - Best free optionNotion9.2
Has a free plan
Visit Notion - Most storage limitSiYuan7.6
8 GB
Visit SiYuan
All 15 Microsoft OneNote Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forCollaborative notes and knowledge bases
A flexible workspace for teams that want notes and knowledge bases alongside databases and collaboration.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Notion -
Best forFeature-rich personal and business note taking
A broad note-taking workspace for organizing information, tasks, calendars, and documents.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Evernote -
Best forHandwritten notebooks and PDF annotation
A broad note-taking app for handwriting, PDFs, collaboration, and AI across five platforms.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Goodnotes -
Best forStudents using handwriting, PDFs, and recordings
A flexible notes app for handwriting, PDFs, recordings, and AI study tools.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Notability -
Best forOpen-source, privacy-conscious note takers
A privacy-focused Markdown notebook that works across desktop, mobile and web.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Joplin -
Best forUsers wanting free notes with broad integrations
A flexible free note-taking app with broad platforms, integrations, and content types.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho Notebook -
Best forNetworked-note and knowledge-management users
A flexible local-file workspace for connected notes, research, and personal knowledge.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Obsidian -
Best forPolished collaborative documents and notes
Craft brings polished notes, documents, tasks, collaboration, and AI into one workspace.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Craft -
Best forSimple, free notes and shared lists
A free, approachable choice for notes, lists, reminders, and lightweight collaboration.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Google Keep -
Best forCollaborative team note libraries
A flexible note library with real-time collaboration, offline access, and broad capture options.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Notejoy -
Best forHandwriting, PDF annotation, and study sets
A strong choice for handwritten notes, PDF annotation, and study materials.
- Note sharing
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit MyScript Notes -
Best forOutliners, linked journals, and task-focused notes
A flexible local-first workspace for connected notes, tasks, journals, and research.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Logseq -
Best forAffordable encrypted notes across many devices
A privacy-focused note app with broad platform support and low-cost paid plans.
- Note sharing
- Offline access
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Notesnook -
Best forPower users combining notes, tasks, and calendars
A broad productivity workspace for connecting notes, tasks, calendars, and linked information.
- Real-time collaboration
- Note sharing
- Offline access
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Amplenote -
Best forSelf-hosters wanting block-based notes
- Better than Microsoft OneNote:
- Storage limit: 8 GB vs 5 GB
A capable personal knowledge system with strong free features and costly upgrades.
- Note sharing
- Offline access
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit SiYuan
Microsoft OneNote Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Microsoft OneNote?
Notion: #2 in our Note-Taking Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A flexible workspace for teams that want notes and knowledge bases alongside databases and collaboration.
Is there a free alternative to Microsoft OneNote?
Yes. Notion, Evernote, Goodnotes, Notability and Joplin have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Microsoft OneNote?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Notesnook starts lowest, at $1.67/mo.
Why do people look for Microsoft OneNote alternatives?
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.
Which Microsoft OneNote alternative has the most storage limit?
SiYuan, with 8 GB.
How do I switch from Microsoft OneNote?
Export your data from Microsoft OneNote (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft OneNote.
How to Switch from Microsoft OneNote
- Export your data from Microsoft OneNote (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft OneNote.
Microsoft OneNote vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Offline access | Supported platforms | Note sharing | Real-time collaboration | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft OneNote | Yes | $99.99/yr | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 1 | Notion | Yes | $10/user/mo | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android, chrome_extension | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 2 | Evernote | Yes | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android, chrome_extension | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 3 | Goodnotes | Yes | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 4 | Notability | Yes | $14.99/user/yr | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 5 | Joplin | Yes | €2.40/mo | Yes | web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, API | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 6 | Zoho Notebook | Yes | Yes | web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 7 | Obsidian | Yes | $4/user/mo | Yes | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 8 | Craft | Yes | $6.40/user/mo | Yes | web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 9 | Google Keep | Yes | Free | Yes | web, ios, android, chrome_extension | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 10 | Notejoy | Yes | $5/mo | Yes | web, windows, macos, ios, android, chrome_extension | Yes | Yes | 8.1 |
| 11 | MyScript Notes | Yes | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS | Yes | No | 8.0 | ||
| 12 | Logseq | Yes | Free | Yes | web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 13 | Notesnook | Yes | $1.67/mo | Yes | web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 14 | Amplenote | Yes | Yes | web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android, chrome_extension, api | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 15 | SiYuan | Yes | $64 one-time | Yes | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, web interface, Chrome/Edge extension, API, Docker self-hosting | Yes | 7.6 |
Head-to-Head
- Microsoft OneNote vs Notion
- Microsoft OneNote vs Evernote
- Microsoft OneNote vs Goodnotes
- Microsoft OneNote vs Notability
- Microsoft OneNote vs Joplin
- Microsoft OneNote vs Zoho Notebook
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update