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Microsoft OneNote alternatives · Note-Taking

End-to-end encrypted alternatives to Microsoft OneNote

The Microsoft OneNote listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. 12 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.

Microsoft OneNote has a free plan. Paid plans start at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal). 11 of them are free or have a free plan.

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

How each one differs from Microsoft OneNote

  1. Inkdrop

    Markdown note app for developers with encrypted sync

    • Inkdrop starts at $8.31 per month, billed annually ($99.80 per year). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Microsoft OneNote has a free plan. Inkdrop does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Inkdrop lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a web app.
    Inkdrop pricing and details

  2. Joplin

    Open source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose

    • Joplin starts at 2.40€ per month, billed yearly at 28.69€ (Joplin Cloud Basic). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Joplin lists a Linux app.
    • Joplin is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Joplin also covers Markdown.
    Joplin pricing and details

  3. Standard Notes

    End-to-end encrypted notes app with open source clients

    • Standard Notes starts at $90 per year (Productivity). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Standard Notes lists a Linux app.
    • Standard Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Standard Notes also covers Markdown.
    Standard Notes pricing and details

  4. Obsidian

    Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device

    • Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Obsidian lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a web app.
    • Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Obsidian pricing and details

  5. Anytype

    Local-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes and data

    • Anytype starts at $4 per month, billed yearly ($5 billed monthly). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Anytype lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    Anytype pricing and details

  6. Notesnook

    Open source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform

    • Notesnook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Essential). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Notesnook lists a Linux app.
    • Notesnook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Notesnook also covers Markdown and linked notes.
    Notesnook pricing and details

  7. Cryptee

    Encrypted documents, notes and photo storage from Estonia

    • Cryptee starts at €3 per month (10 GB). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Cryptee is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Cryptee pricing and details

  8. Lockbook

    Open-source encrypted notes app with Markdown and drawing

    • Lockbook starts at $2.99 per month. Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Lockbook lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    Lockbook pricing and details

  9. Mimiri Notes

    End-to-end encrypted notes in a tree, with encrypted sharing

    • Mimiri Notes starts at $1.20 per month, or $12 per year (Tier 1). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only Mimiri Notes lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    • Mimiri Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Mimiri Notes pricing and details

  10. FUTO Notes

    Local-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync

    • FUTO Notes is free. Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only FUTO Notes lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    FUTO Notes pricing and details

  11. SiYuan

    Open-source, local-first notes built on linked content blocks

    • SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only SiYuan lists a Linux app.
    • SiYuan is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • SiYuan also covers linked notes and databases.
    SiYuan pricing and details

  12. DeepNotes

    End-to-end encrypted infinite canvas for nested notes

    • DeepNotes starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly ($47.88). Microsoft OneNote starts at $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year (Microsoft 365 Personal).
    • Only DeepNotes lists a Linux app.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Microsoft OneNote lists a browser extension.
    DeepNotes pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Microsoft OneNote?

Yes. Inkdrop, Joplin, Standard Notes, Obsidian, Anytype, Notesnook, Cryptee, Lockbook and 4 more are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.

Is Microsoft OneNote end-to-end encrypted?

The Microsoft OneNote listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these note-taking apps are free?

Joplin, Standard Notes, Obsidian, Anytype, Notesnook, Cryptee, Lockbook, Mimiri Notes and 3 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

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

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Microsoft OneNote: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.