OneNote for Windows

Quick summary

Evernote is often seen as the benchmark for note-taking, but Microsoft’s OneNote is a powerful alternative. It lets you capture typed and handwritten notes, sketches, media, and web clippings while tying closely into Microsoft’s cloud and productivity ecosystem.

Availability and cost

OneNote runs on multiple operating systems and devices and is available at no cost with most features unlocked. It stores notebooks in OneDrive, so the space it uses counts against your overall Microsoft cloud quota.

Organization and storage options

You can create as many notebooks as your OneDrive capacity allows — unlike some competitors that limit the number of notebooks. Each notebook can be split into color-coded sections and individual pages to keep information tidy and easy to navigate.

Editing tools and media support

• Built-in drawing and markup tools for sketches and annotations
• Handwriting recognition that can convert freehand notes into typed text
• Integrated audio and video capture, plus the ability to paste media from online sources
• Rich text formatting comparable to a word processor

Integration and sharing

Because OneNote is part of the Microsoft family, it integrates tightly with OneDrive and other Office apps. You can share content with others, although sharing currently happens at the notebook level rather than per individual page or section.

User experience

The layout and controls feel familiar to anyone who has used Word, which reduces the learning curve. The interface is kept uncluttered so you can focus on capturing ideas without distraction.

Considerations

OneNote is versatile and feature-rich, but some users raise concerns about data security and privacy when relying on cloud-based Microsoft services. If cloud security is a priority, review your OneDrive and account settings before storing sensitive material.