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 12 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.

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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, 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. NoteLedge icon
     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

    75 NoteLedge alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
     
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    1
    NoteLedge vs Microsoft OneNote Comments
    Harry Ryan
    Positive
    -1

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

    • NoteLedge is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft OneNote is also Freemium and Proprietary
  2. Logseq icon
     324 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.

    181 Logseq alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
     
  3. Xournal++ icon
     190 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.

    58 Xournal++ alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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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
  4. Beaver Notes icon
     61 likes

    Your personal note-taking haven for privacy and efficiency.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Flathub
     
  5. 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.

    95 OpenBoard Whiteboard alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    1
    OpenBoard Whiteboard vs Microsoft OneNote Comments
    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.

    • OpenBoard Whiteboard is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • OpenBoard Whiteboard is LightweightMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  6. Rnote icon
     37 likes

    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.

    24 Rnote alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
     
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    1
    Rnote vs Microsoft OneNote Comments
    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)!

    • Rnote is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft OneNote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Rnote is Lightweight and Privacy focusedMicrosoft OneNote is not according to our users
  7. Concepts icon
     31 likes

    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...

    45 Concepts alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
  8. CollaNote icon
     6 likes

    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.

    35 CollaNote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  9. Samsung Notes icon
     7 likes

    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.

    38 Samsung Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
     
  10. Notedrafts icon
     5 likes

    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
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  11. Notestudio icon
     1 like

    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
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  12. Forma gives you an open canvas where you can drop ideas anywhere. Move things around, group them visually, draw connections, and keep a clear picture of everything you’re working on.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
12 of 12 Microsoft OneNote alternatives