Microsoft OneNote AlternativesOnly apps from the EU

The best alternative to Microsoft OneNote is Zim, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft OneNote and 19 are so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting alternatives to Microsoft OneNote are Joplin, Zettlr, Evernote and Beaver Notes.

filter to find the best alternatives

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, 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

     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"...

    314 Zim alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    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

     861 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.

    103 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. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     242 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.

    174 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Craft icon
    Craft

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

    https://www.craft.do
    Learn More
  6. Evernote icon

    Evernote

     2481 likes
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    App designed for cross-platform note-taking and organizing. Create notes with text, images, and audio, tag and search them. Features offline access, business card scanning, and presentation modes. Integrate with LinkedIn and secure with a passcode lock.

    76 Evernote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Kindle Fire
    Evernote screenshot 1
     
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    10
    87
    Comments about Evernote as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    Top Positive Comment
    Britly Novus
    6

    Evernote is clunky, overwhelming, and slow. It has a lot of cool features that used to be relatively unique, but it's grown stagnant. Also the mobile version is pretty buggy.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    60

    It is far and away lacking many features of onenote, most noticeably the ability to have sections and subsections of notes in binders. Making it not good for keeping ORGANIZED notes.

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

    I dont use it for writing text (much better OneNote), i just use it for saving webpages or text from webpages. I think it´s quite slow, and somehow i dont like that much. Also, I dont trust neither expect any privacy with Microsoft, but it´s the best option i have to store the webpages.

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    3 of 10 comments
    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    Evernote icon

    • Some users think Evernote is a great Microsoft OneNote alternative, some don't.

    • Evernote is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft OneNote is also Freemium and Proprietary
  8. Markor icon

    Markor

     92 likes
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    Markor is a TextEditor for Android, versatile, flexible, and lightweight. Markor utilizes simple markup formats like Markdown and todo.txt for note-taking and list management. It is versatile at working with text; it can also be used for keeping bookmarks, copying to clipboard...

    151 Markor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Markor screenshot 1
    Markor screenshot 2
    Markor screenshot 3
     
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    2
    Comments about Markor as an Alternative to Microsoft OneNote
    zokris
    Positive
    0

    Markor is light, fast and uses Markdown text so your notes can be read on all devices. With OneNote you need the app to open your notes.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Open-source, feature-filled and uses open formats so it is future-proof. Actively updated with new features. A great app for notes, to-do lists and jotting down thoughts and ideas.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    Markor icon
    • Markor is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Markor is Lightweight, Customizable and Privacy focusedMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  10. QOwnNotes icon

    QOwnNotes

     96 likes
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    Plain text notepad with markdown support and todo list manager for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows, that works together with the notes application of ownCloud.

    260 QOwnNotes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Qt
    QOwnNotes main screen
     
  12. 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.

    21 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
  13. Craft icon

    Craft

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

    88 Craft alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Craft screenshot 1
     
  14. KDE BasKet icon

    KDE BasKet

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

    130 KDE BasKet alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    Welcome page with a black theme.
     
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    3
    16
    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.
    Microsoft OneNote Icon
    KDE BasKet icon

    • Almost everyone thinks KDE BasKet is a great Microsoft OneNote alternative.

    • KDE BasKet is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
  15. Nextcloud Collectives icon

    Nextcloud Collectives

     3 likes
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    Collectives is a Nextcloud App for activist and community projects to organize together. Come and gather in collectives to build shared knowledge.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Nextcloud
    • Self-Hosted
    Nextcloud Collectives screenshot 1
     
12 of 19 Microsoft OneNote alternatives