18 years helping New Zealand businesses
choose better software

What Is Microsoft OneNote?

Microsoft OneNote is a fully functional digital note taking application which can be used to organize, share, and collaborate on ideas. The solution comes with a free companion application for Windows devices and offers deep search functionality for all notes stored in its system. Users can store and organize audio recordings that are in a searchable format as well as integrate them with other Microsoft 365 products such as Excel or Word. Users can can also highlight their handwritten notes by using various shapes and colors on the screen of their mobile device.

Who Uses Microsoft OneNote?

Students, educators, families, enterprises, frontline workers, nonprofits, schools, developers, IT professionals, and businesses.

Microsoft OneNote Software - OneNote notebook
Microsoft OneNote Software - OneNote annotations
Microsoft OneNote Software - OneNote sketching
Microsoft OneNote Software - OneNote workbook tabs

Not sure about Microsoft OneNote? Compare with a popular alternative

Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote

4.6 (1,828)
US$7.20
month
Free version
Free trial
21
13
4.5 (1,828)
4.5 (1,828)
4.3 (1,828)
VS.
Starting Price
Pricing Options
Features
Integrations
Ease of Use
Value for Money
Customer Service
US$5.00
month
Free version
Free trial
57
57
4.6 (2,549)
4.5 (2,549)
4.4 (2,549)
Green rating bars show the winning product based on the average rating and number of reviews.

Other great alternatives to Microsoft OneNote

Todoist
Top rated features
Task Editing
Task Management
Task Scheduling
Mimo Progress Note
Top rated features
No features have been rated by reviewers for this product.
Google Workspace
Top rated features
Calendar Management
Document Storage
File Sharing
Microsoft SharePoint
Top rated features
Collaboration Tools
Document Management
File Sharing
Sticky Tasks
Top rated features
No features have been rated by reviewers for this product.
monday.com
Top rated features
360 Degree Feedback
Inventory Tracking
Product Identification
Sublime Text
Top rated features
API
Access Controls/Permissions
Graphical User Interface
Trello
Top rated features
Commenting/Notes
Project Management
Task Management
Remember The Milk
Top rated features
Task Editing
Task Scheduling
Task Tagging

Reviews of Microsoft OneNote

Average score

Overall
4.6
Ease of Use
4.5
Customer Service
4.3
Features
4.5
Value for Money
4.5

Reviews by company size (employees)

  • <50
  • 51-200
  • 201-1,000
  • >1,001
shivani
shivani
Graduate student in US
Verified LinkedIn User
Biotechnology, 10,000+ Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Note taking made easy in Onenote

4.0 11 months ago

Comments: Great overall experience managing my notes and sharing them with my colleagues. I would highly recommend this over other resources like Evernote.

Pros:

The ease of sharing my notes with someone, commenting on notes by both primary author and collaborators, auto sync on the one drive.

Cons:

For some reason, one note seems to perform better on Mac systems but not as much on windows. It crashes a lot on windows.

Danielle
Director, Regulatory Affairs in Canada
Mining & Metals, 11–50 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Go-to tool for notetaking

5.0 2 months ago New

Comments: I use this tool on a daily basis to write quick notes during meetings and to draft material (emails, etc.) before they go out. It's like my virtual binder of notes, with additional benefits like searchability and dictation!

Pros:

The ability to create a number of folders and sections and navigate between them quickly and seamlessly.

Cons:

There's not much I dislike about OneNote, however I have experienced some syncing issues in the past that led me to start a completely new Notebook from scratch.

Nikola
Nikola
Research and Analytics Specialist in Poland
Verified LinkedIn User
Management Consulting, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Easy to use but too little features

3.0 4 months ago

Comments: It's a great tool for taking quick daily notes about your projects or during meetings. It doesn't have lots of features that other note-taking softwares have but at the same time it's extremely easy to use.

Pros:

It's extremely easy to use and intuitive, almost everyone has it already installed. You don't need any tutorials to start creating your notes.

Cons:

Copying and pasting can get irritating as OneNote automatically adds the source. Notes can also easily get really messy and it's hard to avoid it with limited features it has

Kirti
Senior Recruiter in India
Automotive, 1,001–5,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

A user-friendly tool for creating notes and syncs well with mobile app

4.0 2 months ago

Comments: It comes bundled with the office 365 suite and is easy to use and very intuitive for taking notes. Supports all types of formatting and objects such as tables, sticky notes. Syncs very well with the mobile app

Pros:

Use it extensively for taking notes during a meeting. Can create as many sections and each section can be modified with the content as you require with all the required formatting options. The data is synced and can be accessed on any device with your account

Cons:

The mobile app is not having all the extensive features as the desktop version. Mobile is suited for viewing the creates notes rather than making changes or editing

Alan
Business Analyst in US
Health, Wellness & Fitness, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Microsoft One Note Review

5.0 last month New

Comments: Microsoft OneNote has been a great tool for keeping organized by enabling effective notetaking and collaboration, though occasional syncing issues can be frustrating

Pros:

I love how Microsoft OneNote keeps everything organized with easy-to-use notebooks, seamless syncing across devices, and great collaboration features

Cons:

Occasionally there are syncing issues resulting in the loss of important notes

Julia
Manager in Canada
Government Administration, 10,000+ Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Microsoft OneNote makes work better!

5.0 2 weeks ago New

Comments: Great, I use it on a daily basis to record important meeting notes, create to-do lists, store documents and images, etc. It does it all!

Pros:

The fact that you can actually treat it like a notebook with different pages and tabs. It also has a great search feature.

Cons:

I don't fully understand the cloud/one drive features.

DAKODA
Owner in US
Consumer Services, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 6-12 months
Reviewer Source

Lots of advanced featurs.

5.0 2 weeks ago New

Comments: Its my favorite go to notes application.

Pros:

Great place for quick notating but with the ability for additives and attachments. My favorite feature is the voice notes!

Cons:

Takes a some time to learn all the features and how to use it to the best of its ability.

JEROME
Communication officer in France
Graphic Design, Self Employed
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Onenote for all

5.0 3 weeks ago New

Pros:

Best in-class note taking software powered by Microsoft easy to access and share quickly and personalize topics

Cons:

No major concern concerning cons maybe faster services and backup saving must be clearer

Kate
Allied Health Professional in Australia
Health, Wellness & Fitness, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Well featured digital note taking app

4.0 3 weeks ago New

Comments: A great product for taking and storing notes with a wide range of functions, offline storage and integration with other Microsoft programs

Pros:

Integration with other Microsoft products including email and to do list Easy to set up and use Ability to use and save files offline Very flexible - can add information by typing, audio files, webclipper, handwriting, scanning or uploading documents etc Ability to set up your own templates

Cons:

User interface isn't great - would be great if it had a more modern look, similar to Microsoft Loop. Limited and basic range of templates

Jatin
Fashion Consultant in India
Retail, 10,000+ Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Experience

4.0 2 weeks ago New

Comments: Very good experience in onenote and using it in my daily basis lifestyle

Pros:

Onenote is very helpful to store my notes and for daily reminder off notes too

Cons:

There's nothing to share like i don't like it in it

Tom
Site Acquisition Specialist in US
Wireless, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source
Source: SoftwareAdvice

Alternatives Considered:

OneNote is a Game Changer

5.0 7 months ago

Comments: OneNote has revolutionized the way I organize and manage information. Its intuitive interface, flexible canvas, and powerful features have made it an indispensable tool in both my personal and professional life. Whether I'm capturing fleeting thoughts, collaborating on projects, or simply keeping track of my daily to-dos, OneNote consistently proves to be a reliable and versatile companion. Its seamless integration with other Microsoft products further enhances its value, making it a true productivity powerhouse. OneNote is not just a note-taking app; it's a digital workspace that empowers me to be more organized, efficient, and creative.

Pros:

OneNote is my digital sanctuary for organizing thoughts, ideas, and information. Its flexible canvas allows me to seamlessly capture notes, clippings, images, and even audio recordings in a way that feels natural and intuitive. The ability to create multiple notebooks and sections keeps everything neatly organized, while the powerful search function ensures that I can always find what I need. Whether I'm brainstorming for a project, taking lecture notes, or simply jotting down a quick reminder, OneNote is my go-to tool. The ability to collaborate with others in real-time is a game-changer, making it an essential tool for both personal and professional use. OneNote is not just a note-taking app, it's a productivity powerhouse that has become an indispensable part of my daily workflow.

Cons:

Sometimes it takes a bit long to upload onto my desktop.

Ian
Mechanical Engineer in US
Construction, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Engineering with Microsoft One Note

5.0 6 months ago

Comments: Very positive. It keeps me organized and all my thoughts in one place. I get coworkers coming up and asking me what I am using for note taking quite frequently.

Pros:

Great product for taking notes and staying organized at work. I love how it syncs across my Microsoft account to my phone.

Cons:

Unclear how to integrate handwriting when working on a laptop.

Verified Reviewer
Verified LinkedIn User
Hospital & Health Care, 5,001–10,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Alternatives Considered:

Great for meeting minutes and action items

5.0 11 months ago

Comments: It is reliable, easy to use and share, and is a favorite collaboration tool among employees.

Pros:

It was easy to use and for employees to collaborate with. It is great to organize meeting notes and to-do tasks/action items. Especially since you can make multiple tabs and subpages.

Cons:

It was a little clunky when trying to move OneNote files from one location to another, especially with OneNote files stored in Microsoft SharePoint. We had issues a view times with issues merging changes when many people were editing at once and ended up with lost pages in the document. Also there is no way to recover just a single page if deleted.

Galaad
Supply Chain Analyst in France
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

A simple tool to gather all my note in one place

5.0 last year

Comments: I'm a supply chain analyst. I use Microsoft OneNote to gather informations from multiple source shared with me (mail, web, presentation, call) about supply chain operation. I also use it to organize my note regarding coding and datavisualization.

Pros:

I like the intuitiveness of Microsoft OneNote. I can copy-paste from multiple source (web, presentation, screenshot) while note taking. And it keep me organized in a fast-pacing work environnement. I also like the bulleting icon and tab it feels like a physical note taking tool. Which help me a lot switching from pen and paper.

Cons:

Sometime I find it difficult to format my note when it's relating to code. I really wish Microsoft make it connected for its PowerBI langage (M langage and DAX).

Ashley
Ashley
President in US
Verified LinkedIn User
Architecture & Planning, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 6-12 months
Reviewer Source

I love Microsoft onenote.

5.0 11 months ago

Comments: Extremely important and satisfying for me.

Pros:

I love the whole layout of Microsoft onenote. I just love evrything about it.

Cons:

I dont think there is anything al all thst i dilike about the Microsoft onenote app.

Haimi
Haimi
Market Analyst in Portugal
Verified LinkedIn User
Airlines/Aviation, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

It's actually fun!

4.0 8 months ago

Comments: OneNote, after I reluctantly adopted it for chaperoning an important delegation abroad for a week, has been a game-changer. I was able to take notes in real-time, quickly edit them later that afternoon, and present a beautiful, thorough, and rather polished report straight from exporting my OneNote file before we had boarded our flights back home. Everyone was impressed, as was I, with the time-saving aspects of OneNote, and I have not looked back. I have since used it for long-form documents that need a lot of brainstorming, editing manuscripts, and general meeting note-taking.

Pros:

I love that I can get all my thoughts down in one go, all over the page, and come back to process, reorder, and format it later. It makes it very easy to make visually appealing notes and export the information to others.

Cons:

It did take me some time to get the hang of OneNote when it first came out (and when we first started using it around 2018-2019). So, I wouldn't necessarily expect everyone to know how to use it and don't really trust my colleagues to properly annotate on my OneNote file (I usually only send them the PDF once I'm done). Also, although its easy enough to find things within one OneNote tab, it can get messy when dealing with sub-notes, etc.

Cassie
HR Coordinator in US
Food Production, 11–50 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Perfect for Project Coordination

5.0 last year

Comments: I use it very often and find it incredibly helpful in being able to plan a project all in one place and communicate more efficiently while saving time in those efforts.

Pros:

I enjoy the ease it gives when working with a team on a project. It allows for everything from an outline of how to tackle the project to documents all being in one area, linking them together and allowing you to call attention to team members when needed without having to leave the program, search, email, and all the other apps you would typically have to use. It makes working on the project seamless and time conserving.

Cons:

I think there is a learning curve. For some it may be a lot at once, so a general idea of how to use it would be helpful for those like myself that have been out of school or college for awhile and just now getting acclimated to it.

Jessica
Marketing Manager in US
Chemicals, 10,000+ Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Avid User, Love It!

4.0 6 months ago

Comments: It has made my work life so much more organized, and I find myself taking more notes because this allows me to organize them easier.

Pros:

I love that it integrates with the Microsoft Suite, and is a way to digitize my notes. I have multiple tabs, but can access all of my notes in one place. Lots of great ways to organize information.

Cons:

I'm not always able to format the text the way I want to, would like more options like Word has.

Rachid
Rachid
Sales executive in United Arab Emirates
Verified LinkedIn User
Banking, 5,001–10,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Microsoft OneNote

5.0 5 months ago

Comments: With Microsoft OneNote I had the possibility to write memos, save notes and events on my phone.

Pros:

What I like about Microsoft OneNote is this easy to create documents and finishing projects.

Cons:

The real time collaboration also help to share notes with the team and make editing if it's necessary.

James
Regulatory Compliance Associate in UK
Pharmaceuticals, 10,000+ Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

OneNote - Helpful in staying organised

5.0 6 months ago

Comments: Very good experience, I use OneNote everyday to help me in my current role and I plan to keep on doing so for the foreseeable future.

Pros:

It's more secure than using a physical notepad, very easy to navigate and use. I like to feel organised in my day-to-day work and OneNote helps me to do this. It can be really helpful sharing notes with colleagues, many of whom also use OneNote.

Cons:

The search functionality within OneNote can be limited, making it harder to find specific notes or content quickly.

Thomas
Thomas
Social Media Manager in Germany
Verified LinkedIn User
Marketing & Advertising, 501–1,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

The notes app for working in the cloud

4.0 5 months ago

Comments: I can only recommend it. One of the best note-taking apps out there.

Pros:

Very easy to use and clear app. You can use many tabs and design your notebooks individually. There is also cloud synchronization as well as an app and a desktop application. Perfect for introducing the paperless office.

Cons:

The app sometimes crashes on Windows 10.

keerthi
Product owner in US
Computer Software, 501–1,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Best for Note taking and tracking tasks

5.0 9 months ago

Pros:

One of the standout features of Microsoft OneNote for me is its seamless integration with other Microsoft Office applications and services. This integration streamlines workflows and enhances productivity by allowing users to easily transfer information between different tools.

Cons:

While OneNote's flexibility is a strength, it can also be a drawback for users who struggle to maintain organization and focus within their notes. The abundance of formatting options, tags, and collaboration features may lead to information overload or cluttered notes if not managed effectively.

Vince
IT Director in US
Textiles, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

OneNote for the win!

5.0 9 months ago

Comments: Easy to use, easy to train others on how to use it.

Pros:

I love that in OneNote we can easily create and organize tasks based on the project we are working on. The multiple levels of a task is easy to manage and find things.

Cons:

I cant really say there is anything I don't like about OneNote. For everything we use it for it does a great job.

Sander
Project Engineer in Estonia
Professional Training & Coaching, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

OneNote user review of first year

5.0 8 months ago

Comments: Overall, it has been always helpful and all the notes are easily sorted.
I use it everyday for everyday notes, meeting overviews, writing down daily tasks and conclusions of different trainings and so on.

Pros:

It was so easy to use from the beginning and separate different topics and pages. Very easy to add pictures or graphs, different sizes of text boxes, etc. Nice to have it on the phone, too and you can share your notes with other users.

Cons:

Maybe Microsoft product are a little bit high to pay. Overall the product itself is good and reliable.

Verified Reviewer
Verified LinkedIn User
Health, Wellness & Fitness, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 6-12 months
Reviewer Source

noteworthy OneNote

5.0 7 months ago

Comments: i find it very handy and helpful to keep the data.

Pros:

we can create and start keeping our data very instantly and review whenever we need.

Cons:

Nothing is the least about so far in my experience