Microsoft OneNote review
A broad, collaborative note system with strong Microsoft integration and a capable free option.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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 be searched and tagged, then shared with view or edit permissions. OneNote is available through free standalone apps on Windows, macOS, the web, iOS, and Android, making it suitable for people who want one note system across devices and for teams that need shared notebooks.
The main strength is breadth. OneNote supports offline note viewing and editing with later synchronization, real-time co-authoring, optical character recognition for text in images, and voice transcription. Copilot can assist with drafting, ideation, list creation, and organization. Microsoft 365 subscriptions extend the package: Personal costs $9.99 per user per month or $99.99 per user per year and includes desktop OneNote apps with Copilot and 1 TB of secure cloud storage. Family costs $12.99 per month for 1 to 6 people, with up to 6 TB of secure cloud storage and OneNote included. Premium costs $19.99 per month and adds Advanced Copilot and Agentic AI features. The published plans also show a 1-month free trial for Personal.
Integration is a clear fit for Microsoft-centered workflows. OneNote works with Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Microsoft Office applications, while notebooks can be stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. The free Microsoft-account cloud-storage allowance is 5 GB shared across OneDrive, Outlook.com attachments, and Microsoft 365 apps, and OneNote notebooks saved in OneDrive or SharePoint are limited to 2 GB per notebook. Choose OneNote if you need flexible media capture, offline access, collaboration, or Microsoft ecosystem connections. A narrower notes app may suit users who prefer a simpler structure and fewer subscription-dependent capabilities.
Microsoft OneNote pros and cons
- 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
Microsoft OneNote fact sheet, pricing and score →
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