Free Microsoft OneNote Alternatives Filtered by 'Notebook'

The best free alternative to Microsoft OneNote is Zim, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft OneNote and many of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Microsoft OneNote are Joplin, NoteLedge, CherryTree and AppFlowy.

filter to find the best alternatives

Microsoft OneNote alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools, but if you're looking for Todo List Managers or Digital Painting Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Open Source, iPhone, EU, Free, Android and Self-Hosted. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Microsoft OneNote.
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Alternatives list

  1. Zim icon

    Zim

     511 likes

    Zim brings the concept of a wiki to your desktop. Store information, link pages and edit with WYSISYG markup or directly typing some lightweight markup syntax and see it previewed as-you-type. Creating a new page is easy by either clicking on the "Create new note"...

    318 Zim alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zim screenshot 1
     
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    11
    Comments about Zim as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    Top Positive Comment
    LordMax
    18

    Wonderful. Every file is a .txt file, so you're in total control.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    20

    Zim is more like simplenote, or a desktop wiki. It is missing most of the functionality of onenote.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    axcqhsbsadoukciozt
    Positive
    0

    You are better of using a cellulose notepad rather than OneNote which siphons all your data unencrypted to "the cloud"

    3 of 11 comments
    Zim icon
    Zim icon
    • Zim is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Zim is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  2. Joplin icon

    Joplin

     880 likes

    Open source app for managing notes and to-dos with Markdown support. Syncs seamlessly across devices using services like Dropbox and OneDrive. Offers end-to-end encrypted synchronicity, offline access, rich import/export options, and a Web Clipper for browsers.

    113 Joplin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Termux
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Joplin screenshot 1
     
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    13
    Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    Top Positive Comment
    dasonic
    13

    Same structure as Onenote, supports images, looks modern.

    Doesn't have all the same features (like drawing on the screen) but also has its own unique features Onenote doesn't have.

    Also runs on Linux, which is the biggest plus for me.

    Top Negative Comment
    Martin Ligabue
    7

    it doesn't have pen input support

    Nuncio Bitis
    Negative
    1

    it doesn't do diagrams, and the plain text files it creates are given obscure names so you can't find them.

    3 of 13 comments
    Joplin icon
    Joplin icon
    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Joplin is Privacy focused, Lightweight and MinimalisticMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  4. NoteLedge icon

    NoteLedge

     197 likes

    Note-taking tool tailored for creatives offering idea capture from Pinterest, YouTube, and the web. Allows mood board creation, drawing, and sketching with varied brushes. Present work, share with teams using multimedia and exportable notes in PDF format

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    NoteLedge screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about NoteLedge as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    Harry Ryan
    Positive
    -1

    With this app you can organize everything including your daily activity or special event.

    NoteLedge icon
    NoteLedge icon
    • NoteLedge is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft OneNote is also Freemium and Proprietary
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  6. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     322 likes

    Hierarchical note-taking software that is free, open-source, cross-platform. Features include rich text, syntax highlighting, multi-level lists, embedded files, customizable interface, code execution, PDF export, spell check, images & tables, and comprehensive project management support.

    101 CherryTree alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    CherryTree screenshot 1
     
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    7
    Comments about CherryTree as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    9

    its not OneNote, but its as close as I´ve found on linux. This finally frees me from Windows. Just started using it, but already i can see it will do. Now if only it accepts photos, voice clips, videos and webpages I can call it a day!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    5

    It is more like Simple Note which is bare bones & not comparable to OneNote. No dragable containers, no ocr or voice recording. Also lacks sync.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    hierarchical Nodes and Subnode with icons, quick tool bar, simple as well rich text format, import export option, extremely light weight set up, easy backup, adjustable font size with mouse button, complete set of editting tools, customizable lay out, stable, supports text upto million of words, word count, password protected, multiple data basis, free and easy to use.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 7 comments
    CherryTree icon
    CherryTree icon
    • CherryTree is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • CherryTree is Customizable and Privacy focusedMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  7. AppFlowy icon

    AppFlowy

     185 likes

    Open-source workspace offering complete data control, deep customization via themes, plugins, and templates, native multi-platform support using Flutter and Rust, offline access, privacy features, collaborative tools, and easy extensibility for all users.

    90 AppFlowy alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    AppFlowy screenshot 1
     
  8. Trilium Notes icon

    Trilium Notes

     112 likes

    The original trilium is transfered to this repo by its owner and the app continues to develop here as stated here: https://github.com/TriliumNext/Trilium

    376 Trilium Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Cloudron
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Trilium Notes screenshot 1
     
  10. Turtl icon

    Turtl

     178 likes

    Whether it's bookmarks or passwords, files or shopping lists...Turtl organizes it all and makes it easy to find later. Sync across your devices. Leave nothing behind.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    Turtl screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Comments about Turtl as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    Encryption, zero-knowledge encryption.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    k71
    Negative
    0

    Windows app. Visually it´s nice, but its movement between "folders" is not intuitive or i didnt like it. I didnt like it that we have to be online to access to it. I didnt like the option to introduce password everytime to access (i dont know if there is the option to remove it). In this case i´d prefer Standardnotes or Simplenote.

    Turtl icon
    Turtl icon
    • Turtl is Freemium and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Turtl is Privacy focusedMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  11. Blinko icon

    Blinko

     21 likes

    Open-source note-taking tool offering AI-enhanced retrieval with RAG technology, secure self-hosted data storage, Markdown support, and transparent community collaboration on GitHub for efficient, private, and effortless note management.

    83 Blinko alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    Blinko screenshot 1
     
  12. Craft icon

    Craft

     44 likes

    Craft offers document creation with stunning visuals, seamless navigation, and effortless sharing. Nest notes, use AI for summaries, and export in multiple formats.

    97 Craft alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Craft screenshot 1
     
  13. Zoho Notebook icon

    Zoho Notebook

     91 likes

    Web-based tool for integrating text, images, audio, and video with syncing across devices, real-time collaboration, handwriting input, AI-powered summaries, checklists, scanning, reminders, search in handwritten notes, and advanced organization.

    321 Zoho Notebook alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    Zoho Notebook screenshot 1
     
  14. Lockbook icon

    Lockbook

     5 likes

    Provides end-to-end encrypted note-taking, file storage, and sketching with syncing across platforms, zero data collection, no personal info or passwords required, open-source code for transparency, and optional premium storage, all via native and CLI tools.

    52 Lockbook alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Lockbook screenshot 1
     
  15. KDE BasKet icon

    KDE BasKet

     82 likes

    This application provides as many baskets as you wish, and you can drag and drop.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    Welcome page with a black theme.
     
    |
    3
    Comments about KDE BasKet as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    It has essentially the same functionality as One Note. I was happy to find it offers password protection of the various baskets.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Most of the OneNote functionality

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    more or less the same functionality as one note. each notepad and each note can be tagged with colors and tags of relative importance, and icons. notepads can be sorted hierarcically, notepads can bepassword protected, and so on. you should visit its website and see.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    KDE BasKet icon
    KDE BasKet icon
    • KDE BasKet is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
12 of 23 Microsoft OneNote alternatives