Microsoft OneNote AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Digital Painting Tools

The best Digital Painting alternative to Microsoft OneNote is NoteLedge, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft OneNote and 11 are Digital Painting Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Digital Painting Tool alternatives to Microsoft OneNote are Logseq, Xournal++, Beaver Notes and OpenBoard Whiteboard.

filter to find the best alternatives

Microsoft OneNote alternatives are mainly Digital Painting Tools, but if you're looking for Note-taking Tools or Todo List Managers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Open Source, iPhone, Android, Free, EU 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. NoteLedge icon

    NoteLedge

     196 likes
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    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 (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    NoteLedge screenshot 1
     
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    1
    98
    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.

    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    NoteLedge icon

    • Almost everyone thinks NoteLedge is a great Microsoft OneNote alternative.

    • NoteLedge is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft OneNote is also Freemium and Proprietary
  2. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     313 likes
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    Local-first, privacy-focused notebook supporting Markdown and Emacs Org mode. Offers offline use, encrypted backups, plugin extensibility, LaTeX support, real-time collaboration, and hierarchical organization for personal knowledge management.

    161 Logseq alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Logseq screenshot 1
     
  4. Xournal++ icon

    Xournal++

     183 likes
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    Handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation using pen input and pressure sensitivity, shape drawing, customizable toolbar layouts, image insertion, audio recording, multi-language options, LaTeX integration, and complete export in PDF or PNG formats across all platforms.

    55 Xournal++ alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Xournal++ screenshot 1
     
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    7
    41
    Comments about Xournal++ as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    Top Positive Comment
    violoncello
    2

    With Xournal++ you own your notes and can save them wherever you want - you are not forced to store them somewhere in the cloud as it's the case with OneNote

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    0

    In the version available for Chromebooks, the option for typed text is not working.

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

    Nearly similar interface. Lightweight, open source with latex support and voice notes. Flexible layout which was missing in xournal.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 7 comments
    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    Xournal++ icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Xournal++ is a great Microsoft OneNote alternative.

    • Xournal++ is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Xournal++ is Privacy focused and LightweightMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  6. OpenBoard Whiteboard icon

    OpenBoard Whiteboard

     67 likes
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    OpenBoard is a cross-platform (Linux / Windows / macOS) interactive whiteboard application. It is currently maintained by the Education Department (DIP) of the Canton of Geneva in Switzerland.

    89 OpenBoard Whiteboard alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    OpenBoard Whiteboard screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about OpenBoard Whiteboard as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    Mutaz_Abusaad
    Positive
    1

    The most important feature in OneNote, for me, is the "free-hand" writing feature on any PDF file. OpenBoard allows you to do so. It is also set up to take the whole screen with little distraction on it, so you can work and explain things to your students and collaborators.

    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    OpenBoard Whiteboard icon
    • OpenBoard Whiteboard is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • OpenBoard Whiteboard is LightweightMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  7. Rnote icon

    Rnote

     37 likes
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    Rnote aims to be a simple but functional note taking application for freehand drawing or annotating pictures or documents. It eventually should be able to import / export various media file formats.

    22 Rnote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Rnote screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Rnote as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    manuke
    Positive
    1

    It's insanely fast (and written in Rust). Pen support. Pages and Folder support. Open-Source. Saves everything as file and thus can be used in a cloud sync. Has basic Textediting functionality (but not very good for structured Texts, more made for freeform drawing and handwritten notes). PDF insertion (no real annotation though)!

    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    Rnote icon
    • Rnote is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Rnote is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  9. Concepts icon

    Concepts

     31 likes
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    Concepts is the digital design sketchbook of the future. It’s powerful, flexible and smart, so you can go from quick sketches to beautiful and precise illustrations in a single app. Enhance your creative capabilities with our infinite canvas, flexible multi-touch shape guides...

    43 Concepts alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Concepts screenshot 1
     
  10. CollaNote icon

    CollaNote

     6 likes
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    All-in-one solution for note-taking, PDF annotation, digital planning, and journaling with 25 pens and brushes, AI shape detection, real-time collaboration, Smart Dark Mode, ASMR sound, audio recording, password protection, over 150 templates, and syncing options.

    34 CollaNote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    CollaNote screenshot 1
     
  11. Samsung Notes icon

    Samsung Notes

     7 likes
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    With Samsung Notes you can create notes containing texts, images with footnotes, voice recordings, and music. Moreover, you can share your notes easily to SNS.

    37 Samsung Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Samsung Notes screenshot 1
     
  12. Notedrafts icon

    Notedrafts

     5 likes
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    Notedrafts is a powerful note-taking app that lets you write, draw, and organize your thoughts across different types of documents. Whether you're marking up a PDF, writing on a large canvas, or taking notes in a long vertical layout, Notedrafts adapts to your workflow.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Notedrafts screenshot 1
    Notedrafts screenshot 2
    Notedrafts screenshot 3
     
  13. Notestudio icon

    Notestudio

     1 like
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    Notestudio brings the charm of traditional handwriting together with powerful digital tools, making note-taking feel natural and intuitive. With flexible paper styles, advanced drawing tools, and a smooth, customizable interface, it’s perfect for capturing and organizing your ideas.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Notestudio screenshot 1
     
11 of 11 Microsoft OneNote alternatives