Open Source Microsoft OneNote Alternatives for MacFiltered by 'Portable'

There are many alternatives to Microsoft OneNote for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best open source Mac alternative is Zim. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft OneNote and 12 are open source and available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source Mac alternatives to Microsoft OneNote are Joplin, Logseq, Xournal++ and CherryTree.

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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 Open Source, Linux, iPhone, Free, Android, Self-Hosted and EU. 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

     514 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"...

    337 Zim alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zim screenshot 1
     
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    11
    Zim vs Microsoft OneNote Comments
    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 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

     900 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.

    144 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
    Joplin vs Microsoft OneNote Comments
    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 is Freemium and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Joplin is Privacy focused, Lightweight, Minimalistic and DecentralizedMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  4. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     338 likes

    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.

    200 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++

     194 likes

    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.

    62 Xournal++ alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Xournal++ screenshot 1
     
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    7
    Xournal++ vs Microsoft OneNote Comments
    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.
    3 of 7 comments
    • 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. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     324 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.

    122 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
    CherryTree vs Microsoft OneNote Comments
    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 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

     201 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.

    116 AppFlowy alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    AppFlowy screenshot 1
     
  10. Notebook PEA icon

    Notebook PEA

     22 likes

    Protects your private notes with a password. Notebook PEA is a self-decrypting archive, that will never store unencrypted text on your disk.

    217 Notebook PEA alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Notebook PEA screenshot 1
     
  11. Silverbullet icon

    Silverbullet

     17 likes

    Silver Bullet is an extensible, open source, personal knowledge management system. Indeed, that’s fancy talk for “a note-taking app with links.” However, Silver Bullet goes a bit beyond just that.

    76 Silverbullet alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    Main page, showing normal text. This is all Markdown, and selecting any text will expose the Markdown syntax.
     
  12. VNote icon

    VNote

     40 likes

    A Vim-inspired note-taking application that knows programmers and Markdown better.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    VNote screenshot 1
     
  14. Rucola icon

    Rucola

     2 likes

    Terminal-based markdown note manager to view statistics, explore connections and launch editing and viewing applications.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Select view of all indexed notes
     
12 of 12 Microsoft OneNote alternatives