The Best Open Source Microsoft OneNote AlternativesTop Note-taking Tools & Todo List Managers like Microsoft OneNote

The best open source alternative to Microsoft OneNote is Zim. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft OneNote and loads of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Microsoft OneNote are Joplin, Logseq, Xournal++ and Standard Notes.

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Microsoft OneNote alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools, but if you're looking for Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools 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. Zim icon

    Zim

     509 likes
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    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"...

    316 Zim alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zim screenshot 1
     
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    11
    75
    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"

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    3 of 11 comments
    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    Zim icon

    • Most users think Zim is a great Microsoft OneNote alternative.

    • Zim is the most popular Open Source alternative to Microsoft OneNote.

    • 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

     870 likes
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    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.

    108 Joplin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • 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
    Desktop and mobile apps
     
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    13
    69
    Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    Comment summary: Critics of Joplin note limitations such as lack of features compared to OneNote, like pen input support and drawing capabilities. However, Joplin's advocates highlight its strengths in privacy, open-source nature, and compatibility with Linux. Joplin supports markdown editing and allows users to store data on personal servers with encryption. While some praise its clean interface and cross-platform sync, others consider OneNote more feature-rich, especially for writing and organizing notes.
    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.

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    3 of 13 comments
    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    Joplin icon

    • Most users think Joplin is a great Microsoft OneNote alternative.

    • Joplin is the most popular Web-based & Self-Hosted alternative to Microsoft OneNote.

    • 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. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     314 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.

    163 Logseq alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Xournal++

     185 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.

    54 Xournal++ alternatives

    Cost / License

    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.
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    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. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     683 likes
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    Secure note-taking app with end-to-end encryption, unlimited syncing across all platforms, offline access, detailed organization through tags, strong passcode and biometric protections, and premium features like encrypted files, themes, web clipper, super note types, and hardware key support.

    121 Standard Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source (AGPL-3.0)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Standard Notes homepage.
     
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    7
    33
    Comments about Standard Notes as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    1

    Encrypted, very lightweight and not owned by Microsoft.

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

    The free version is only plain text editing - can't even paste images or use bold and italics. There simply aren't enough features in the free one to determine whether I like it enough to pay for premium.

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

    Good for those options to store online or sync between devices. Devices: Windows app, web-browser, android app...

    I prefer this one than SimpleNote, in any case, to share between devices nowadays i recommend telegram or protectedtext. For text, Onenote. I didnt like turtl, joplin or elephant.

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    3 of 7 comments
    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    Standard Notes icon

    • Most users think Standard Notes is a great Microsoft OneNote alternative.

    • Standard Notes is Freemium and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Standard Notes is Privacy focused, Minimalistic, Security-focused and CustomizableMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  7. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     319 likes
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    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.

    99 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
    56
    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.
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    3 of 7 comments
    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    CherryTree icon

    • Most users think CherryTree is a great Microsoft OneNote alternative.

    • CherryTree is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • CherryTree is Customizable and Privacy focusedMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  9. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     172 likes
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    Notesnook is a simple and cross-platform private notes app that keeps your notes organized and synced on your phone, tablet and computer. Take notes, capture ideas, create to-do lists, keep a journal, write your assignments and manage projects, we have got you covered.

    296 Notesnook alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    Notesnook screenshot 1
     
  10. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     244 likes
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    Unified writing platform offering note-taking, easy citations with Zotero integration, LaTeX/Word templates, snippets, themes, dark modes, code highlighting, multi-language support, and knowledge management with Zettelkasten for seamless writing from notes to books.

    177 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)
     
  12. Trilium Notes icon

    Trilium Notes

     110 likes
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    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

    372 Trilium Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Turtl

     178 likes
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    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.

    186 Turtl alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • 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
    21
    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.

    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    Turtl icon

    • Most users think Turtl is a great Microsoft OneNote alternative.

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

    Docmost

     44 likes
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    Docmost is an open-source collaborative wiki and documentation software. It is an open-source alternative to Confluence and Notion.

    91 Docmost alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Docker
    Docmost screenshot 1
     

    • Docmost is the most popular commercial alternative to Microsoft OneNote.

    • Docmost is Paid and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Docmost is Privacy focusedMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
12 of 58 Microsoft OneNote alternatives