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Alternatives · Note-Taking

Microsoft OneNote alternatives

Microsoft OneNote compared with 12 alternatives: Evernote, Notion, Google Keep, Apple Notes, Goodnotes and 7 more.

Microsoft OneNote has a free plan. Paid plans start at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal). All 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Microsoft OneNoteThis toolFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
EvernoteFree plan · from $99/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
NotionFree plan · from $10/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Google KeepFree plan · from $7/moYesWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Apple NotesFreeFreeWeb, macOS, iOS
GoodnotesFree plan · from $11.99/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Linwood ButterflyFreeFreeWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, Android
MyScript NotesFree plan · from $1.99YesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
NotabilityFree plan · from $14.99/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
NoteshelfFree plan · from $7.99 one-timeYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Samsung NotesFreeFreeWindows, Android
Xournal++FreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
Zoho NotebookFree plan · from $1.67/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

How each one differs from Microsoft OneNote

  1. Evernote

    Note-taking app with web clipping, tasks, calendar and AI search

    • Evernote starts at $99 per year (about $8.25 a month), or $14.99 billed monthly. Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Evernote also covers templates, tasks and calendar.
    • Microsoft OneNote also covers transcription and dictation.

    Suits: People who save web pages, scans and documents and need to search across them

    Evernote vs Microsoft OneNoteEvernote pricing and details

  2. Notion

    Workspace for docs, wikis, databases and projects with built-in AI

    • Notion starts at $10 per member / month, billed yearly. Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Notion also covers databases, wiki and templates.
    • Microsoft OneNote also covers transcription, dictation and web clipper.

    Suits: Teams that want docs, a wiki and project tracking in one workspace

    Notion vs Microsoft OneNoteNotion pricing and details

  3. Google Keep

    Google's app for quick notes, lists and reminders

    • Google Keep starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists Windows and macOS apps.
    • Google Keep also covers tasks.
    • Microsoft OneNote also covers dictation.

    Suits: Quick notes, shopping lists and reminders on a phone or smartwatch

    Google Keep vs Microsoft OneNoteGoogle Keep pricing and details

  4. Apple Notes

    Apple's free notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web

    • Apple Notes is free. Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Apple Notes also covers linked notes.
    • Microsoft OneNote also covers dictation and web clipper.

    Suits: People who use only Apple devices

    Apple Notes vs Microsoft OneNoteApple Notes pricing and details

  5. Goodnotes

    Handwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant

    • Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Goodnotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Goodnotes also covers whiteboard.
    • Microsoft OneNote also covers dictation and web clipper.

    Suits: Handwritten notes on an iPad with Apple Pencil

    Goodnotes vs Microsoft OneNoteGoodnotes pricing and details

  6. Linwood Butterfly

    Open-source handwriting and sketching app with an infinite canvas

    • Linwood Butterfly is free. Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Linwood Butterfly lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists an iOS app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Linwood Butterfly is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.

    Suits: Handwritten lecture notes and PDF markup with a stylus

    Linwood Butterfly vs Microsoft OneNoteLinwood Butterfly pricing and details

  7. MyScript Notes

    Handwriting notes app that converts pen strokes to typed text

    • MyScript Notes starts at $1.99 on the US App Store; billing period not labeled. Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • MyScript Notes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • MyScript Notes also covers whiteboard and diagrams.

    Suits: Stylus users who want handwriting turned into typed text

    MyScript Notes vs Microsoft OneNoteMyScript Notes pricing and details

  8. Notability

    Handwritten notes with synced audio, transcripts and AI study tools

    • Notability starts at $14.99 per year, or $4.99 per month (Lite). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Notability can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Notability also covers templates.
    • Microsoft OneNote also covers dictation and web clipper.

    Suits: Students recording lectures alongside handwritten notes

    Notability vs Microsoft OneNoteNotability pricing and details

  9. Noteshelf

    Handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation for stylus devices

    • Noteshelf starts at $7.99 one-time on Windows; Premium is $9.99 one-time on Android. Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Noteshelf can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Noteshelf also covers templates.

    Suits: Students and teachers taking handwritten notes with a stylus

    Noteshelf vs Microsoft OneNoteNoteshelf pricing and details

  10. Samsung Notes

    Samsung's free note app for Galaxy phones, tablets and Galaxy Book

    • Samsung Notes is free. Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists macOS and iOS apps.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Samsung Notes also covers templates.

    Suits: Galaxy phone and tablet owners, especially those with an S Pen

    Samsung Notes vs Microsoft OneNoteSamsung Notes pricing and details

  11. Xournal++

    Open-source handwriting notes and PDF annotation for desktop

    • Xournal++ is free. Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Xournal++ lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.

    Suits: Handwritten notes with a stylus or drawing tablet on a computer

    Xournal++ vs Microsoft OneNoteXournal++ pricing and details

  12. Zoho Notebook

    Card-based notes app with a web clipper, scanner and AI add-ons

    • Zoho Notebook starts at $1.67 per month, billed annually at $19.99 (Pro). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Zoho Notebook lists a Linux app.
    • Zoho Notebook also covers meeting notes and kanban boards.
    • Microsoft OneNote also covers dictation.

    Suits: Low-cost note-taking: Pro is $19.99 a year

    Zoho Notebook vs Microsoft OneNoteZoho Notebook pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Microsoft OneNote

  • A free Microsoft account stops at 5 GB of cloud storage, shared with OneDrive files and Outlook.com attachments.
  • Only the Windows desktop app can keep notebooks on a local hard drive; the other versions work with cloud notebooks.
  • Microsoft 365 AI features are limited to the subscription owner, with usage limits, even on the Family plan.
  • Microsoft lists apps for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android but none for Linux, where OneNote is browser-only.
Microsoft OneNote pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Microsoft OneNote?

The alternatives to Microsoft OneNote in this directory are Evernote, Notion, Google Keep, Apple Notes, Goodnotes, Linwood Butterfly, MyScript Notes, Notability, Noteshelf, Samsung Notes, Xournal++ and Zoho Notebook. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Microsoft OneNote.

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft OneNote?

Yes. Apple Notes, Linwood Butterfly, Samsung Notes and Xournal++ are free to use. Evernote, Notion, Google Keep, Goodnotes, MyScript Notes, Notability, Noteshelf and Zoho Notebook have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Microsoft OneNote alternatives work on Linux?

The Microsoft OneNote listing does not include a Linux app. Linwood Butterfly, Xournal++ and Zoho Notebook list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft OneNote?

Linwood Butterfly and Xournal++ are described as open source on their own sites.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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