# Top 10 Microsoft OneNote Alternatives & Competitors (1,871)4.5 out of 5 Reviewers exploring Microsoft OneNote often also consider these top-rated options in the same software category. When comparing Microsoft OneNote with other tools, reviewers most often evaluate project management and documents as key differentiators. The best overall alternative to Microsoft OneNote is [Google Workspace](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews), rated ~4.6 stars on G2 from 45658+ reviewers. It is frequently praised for team collaboration and intuitive. Other well-known alternatives to Microsoft OneNote are: - [Notion](https://www.g2.com/products/notion/reviews) – known for ai features and useful (G2 star rating ~4.6) - [Evernote](https://www.g2.com/products/evernote/reviews) – highly rated for note-taking and organization (G2 star rating ~4.3) - [Otter.ai](https://www.g2.com/products/otter-ai/reviews) – offers helpful and accuracy (G2 star rating ~4.4) - [Goodnotes](https://www.g2.com/products/goodnotes/reviews) – best suited for teams that need organization and easy setup (G2 star rating ~4.7) Browse top options below. Based on G2 review data, Microsoft OneNote is most commonly used in industries like [Note-Taking Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/note-taking-software), [Office Suites Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/office-suites), [Knowledge Base Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/knowledge-base-software). Compare user ratings by vertical to find the best fit. ## Best Paid & Free Alternatives to Microsoft OneNote - Google Workspace - Notion - Evernote - Otter.ai - Goodnotes - Zoho Notebook - Bear - Notability ## Top 10 Alternatives to Microsoft OneNote Recently Reviewed By G2 Community Browse options below. Based on reviewer data, you can see how Microsoft OneNote stacks up to the competition, check reviews from current & previous users in industries like Information Technology and Services, Education Management, and Marketing and Advertising, and find the best product for your business. [![G2 Advertising](/assets/my-g2-logo-41632af6f81a240a0a9886638f412b2ac9a29f4001534f8c83be89a58ef9d45d.svg "G2 Advertising")](https://sell.g2.com/case-studies/how-aisdr-uses-g2-ads-to-turn-g2-into-top-5-traffic-source) Sponsored G2 Advertising Get 2x conversion than Google Ads with G2 Advertising! G2 Advertising places your product in premium positions on high-traffic pages and on targeted competitor pages to reach buyers at key comparison moments. [ Learn More ](https://sell.g2.com/case-studies/how-aisdr-uses-g2-ads-to-turn-g2-into-top-5-traffic-source) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/4a9a6d57cdd833bf0381d21fd9246641/google-workspace.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews) [ Google Workspace ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews) By [Google](https://www.g2.com/sellers/google) [ 4.6/5(48,165) ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews#reviews) Product Description Google Workspace enables teams of all sizes to connect, create and collaborate. It includes productivity and collaboration tools for all the ways that we work: Gmail for custom business email, Drive for cloud storage, Docs for word processing, Meet for video and voice conferencing, Chat for team messaging, Slides for presentation building, shared Calendars, and many more. Reviewers say compared to Microsoft OneNote, Google Workspace is: Slower to reach roi More usable Easier to set up Categories in common with Microsoft OneNote: [ Note-Taking Management ](/categories/note-taking-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/23f1df4a48002425b3574347f0ea5676/notion.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/notion/reviews) [ Notion ](https://www.g2.com/products/notion/reviews) By [Notion](https://www.g2.com/sellers/notion-2026-07-28) [ 4.6/5(13,736) ](https://www.g2.com/products/notion/reviews#reviews) Product Description Notion is a unified workspace for teams. Notion is a connected workspace where your team can create docs, take notes, manage tasks, and organize your work – all in one place. And now, with Notion AI, you can augment your capabilities in new and unexpected ways. Leverage the power of AI right inside Notion, across all your notes and docs, without the need to jump between your work and a separate AI-powered tool. Reviewers say compared to Microsoft OneNote, Notion is: More expensive Categories in common with Microsoft OneNote: [ Note-Taking Management ](/categories/note-taking-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/882eea7f8ae510268640cb5e26a52185/evernote.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/evernote/reviews) [ Evernote ](https://www.g2.com/products/evernote/reviews) By [Evernote](https://www.g2.com/sellers/evernote) [ 4.3/5(2,035) ](https://www.g2.com/products/evernote/reviews#reviews) Product Description Remember everything. Capture Everything. Access anywhere. Find things fast. Reviewers say compared to Microsoft OneNote, Evernote is: Slower to reach roi Easier to set up Categories in common with Microsoft OneNote: [ Note-Taking Management ](/categories/note-taking-software) [![G2 Advertising](/assets/my-g2-logo-41632af6f81a240a0a9886638f412b2ac9a29f4001534f8c83be89a58ef9d45d.svg "G2 Advertising")](https://sell.g2.com/case-studies/how-aisdr-uses-g2-ads-to-turn-g2-into-top-5-traffic-source) Sponsored G2 Advertising Get 2x conversion than Google Ads with G2 Advertising! G2 Advertising places your product in premium positions on high-traffic pages and on targeted competitor pages to reach buyers at key comparison moments. [ Learn More ](https://sell.g2.com/case-studies/how-aisdr-uses-g2-ads-to-turn-g2-into-top-5-traffic-source) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/3b3cfbb190f3a7dba5553b67fc3f3ed7/otter-ai.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/otter-ai/reviews) [ Otter.ai ](https://www.g2.com/products/otter-ai/reviews) By [Otter.ai](https://www.g2.com/sellers/otter-ai) [ 4.4/5(502) ](https://www.g2.com/products/otter-ai/reviews#reviews) Product Description Otter.ai creates technologies and products that make information from important voice conversations instantly accessible and actionable. Reviewers say compared to Microsoft OneNote, Otter.ai is: More expensive More usable Easier to set up Categories in common with Microsoft OneNote: [ Note-Taking Management ](/categories/note-taking-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/0f23a64a45785d09538a27bf486bef9f/goodnotes.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/goodnotes/reviews) [ Goodnotes ](https://www.g2.com/products/goodnotes/reviews) By [Goodnotes](https://www.g2.com/sellers/goodnotes) [ 4.7/5(125) ](https://www.g2.com/products/goodnotes/reviews#reviews) Product Description Take beautiful, searchable handwritten notes and effortlessly organize all your documents & notebooks in a single place Reviewers say compared to Microsoft OneNote, Goodnotes is: More expensive Easier to admin More usable Categories in common with Microsoft OneNote: [ Note-Taking Management ](/categories/note-taking-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/9625ab729feb4985482e223aafbc6be8/zoho-notebook.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/zoho-notebook/reviews) [ Zoho Notebook ](https://www.g2.com/products/zoho-notebook/reviews) By [Zoho](https://www.g2.com/sellers/zoho-b00ca9d5-bca8-41b5-a8ad-275480841704) [ 4.4/5(71) ](https://www.g2.com/products/zoho-notebook/reviews#reviews) Product Description Zoho Notebook is a note-taking application designed to enhance productivity by allowing users to capture, organize, and share various types of content seamlessly. Available across multiple platforms—including iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux—Zoho Notebook offers a unified experience for managing notes, checklists, audio recordings, and images. Its intuitive interface and rich feature set make it suitable for individuals, students, and teams seeking an efficient way to document and collaborate on ideas. Key Features and Functionality: - Diverse Note Cards: Zoho Notebook introduces 'Note Cards,' specialized templates for different content types. These include Text Cards for written notes, Checklist Cards for to-do lists, Audio Cards for voice recordings, Photo Cards for images, Sketch Cards for drawings, and File Cards for document attachments. - Customization and Organization: Users can personalize their notebooks with handcrafted covers, assign colors to Note Cards, and organize content using tags and collections. The app supports both grid and landscape views for flexible navigation. - Collaboration Tools: Zoho Notebook facilitates real-time collaboration by allowing users to share notes and notebooks with varying levels of access—view, edit, or share permissions. This feature is particularly beneficial for teams working on shared projects. - Advanced Search and AI Integration: The application offers advanced search capabilities, including Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and object detection, enabling users to find content within images and handwritten notes. Additionally, Notebook AI assists in transcribing audio recordings, translating content, and enhancing note quality by checking for tone, redundancy, and inclusivity. - Security and Synchronization: All notes are encrypted at rest, ensuring data security. Zoho Notebook syncs across devices and to the cloud, providing consistent access to notes from anywhere. Primary Value and User Solutions: Zoho Notebook addresses the need for a comprehensive and user-friendly note-taking solution that caters to various content types and collaboration requirements. By offering customizable Note Cards, seamless organization tools, and robust collaboration features, it empowers users to capture ideas effectively, stay organized, and work collaboratively. The integration of advanced search and AI functionalities further enhances productivity by simplifying content retrieval and improving note quality. With its cross-platform availability and secure synchronization, Zoho Notebook ensures that users have reliable access to their information, making it an invaluable tool for personal and professional use. Reviewers say compared to Microsoft OneNote, Zoho Notebook is: More usable Better at support Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Microsoft OneNote: [ Note-Taking Management ](/categories/note-taking-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/68c752bc6c8e719a2869e84431f3e8ad/bear.jpg "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/bear/reviews) [ Bear ](https://www.g2.com/products/bear/reviews) By [Shiny Frog](https://www.g2.com/sellers/shiny-frog) [ 4.5/5(45) ](https://www.g2.com/products/bear/reviews#reviews) Product Description Bear is a note taking tool for Mac and iOS. Reviewers say compared to Microsoft OneNote, Bear is: More usable Categories in common with Microsoft OneNote: [ Note-Taking Management ](/categories/note-taking-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/f76f4f3d28945ce07449da248d475005/notability.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/notability/reviews) [ Notability ](https://www.g2.com/products/notability/reviews) By [Gingerlabs](https://www.g2.com/sellers/gingerlabs) [ 4.6/5(45) ](https://www.g2.com/products/notability/reviews#reviews) Product Description Notability offers note-taking and sketching tools. Reviewers say compared to Microsoft OneNote, Notability is: Easier to set up More usable Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Microsoft OneNote: [ Note-Taking Management ](/categories/note-taking-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/6b0048432fd2f3684b090699da6ae61f/milanote.png "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/milanote/reviews) [ Milanote ](https://www.g2.com/products/milanote/reviews) By [Milanote](https://www.g2.com/sellers/milanote) [ 4.5/5(42) ](https://www.g2.com/products/milanote/reviews#reviews) Product Description Milanote is notes app designed for creative work. Reviewers say compared to Microsoft OneNote, Milanote is: More usable Better at support Better at meeting requirements Categories in common with Microsoft OneNote: [ Note-Taking Management ](/categories/note-taking-software) [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/a5fcfbf83b486a1eca3750c54234e357/simplenote.jpg "Product Avatar Image") ](https://www.g2.com/products/simplenote/reviews) [ Simplenote ](https://www.g2.com/products/simplenote/reviews) By [Automattic Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/automattic-inc) [ 4.2/5(39) ](https://www.g2.com/products/simplenote/reviews#reviews) Product Description Simplenote is a minimalist note-taking application designed to provide a distraction-free environment for capturing and organizing ideas. Available across multiple platforms—including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web browsers—Simplenote ensures seamless synchronization of notes in real-time, allowing users to access their content from any device without manual syncing. Key Features and Functionality: - Cross-Platform Compatibility: Simplenote operates on various operating systems, ensuring users can access their notes regardless of the device they are using. - Real-Time Synchronization: Notes are automatically updated across all devices, eliminating the need for manual syncing and ensuring consistency. - Tag-Based Organization: Users can add tags to their notes, facilitating quick retrieval and efficient organization. - Markdown Support: Simplenote supports Markdown formatting, allowing users to write, preview, and publish notes with rich text elements without the complexity of traditional formatting tools. - Version History: The application maintains a complete version history for each note, enabling users to view and restore previous versions as needed. - Collaboration and Sharing: Users can share notes with others, collaborate in real-time, and even publish notes online, making it suitable for both personal and collaborative projects. Primary Value and User Solutions: Simplenote addresses the need for a straightforward, efficient note-taking solution without the distractions of overly complex features. Its minimalist design and real-time synchronization cater to users seeking a reliable platform for capturing thoughts, ideas, and to-do lists across multiple devices. The inclusion of Markdown support and version history enhances the writing experience, while collaboration features make it suitable for team projects. By focusing on simplicity and essential functionalities, Simplenote provides a clean and effective tool for users who prioritize speed and ease of use in their note-taking endeavors. Categories in common with Microsoft OneNote: [ Note-Taking Management ](/categories/note-taking-software) ## Microsoft OneNote Alternatives FAQs Generated using AI ### How does Microsoft OneNote compare to Google Workspace? According to G2 data, [Microsoft OneNote](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-onenote/reviews) holds an average rating of 4.5/5 from 1,865 reviews, while [Google Workspace](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews) has a slightly higher average rating of 4.6/5 from 48,040 reviews. Google Workspace leads in usability (9.3 vs 8.9), ease of setup (9.2 vs 9.0), ease of administration (9.0 vs 8.9), and ease of doing business with (9.0 vs 8.9), with differences ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 points. Both products share the same support score (8.6). User sentiment highlights that [Microsoft OneNote](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-onenote/reviews) excels in note-taking (12 mentions), organization (8 mentions), and integration with Microsoft ecosystem (7 mentions). It is praised for its flexibility, freeform note-taking, and strong search capabilities. However, users report issues with syncing, UI clutter, and limited export options. Conversely, [Google Workspace](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews) is highly favored for ease of use (1,396 mentions), team collaboration (1,000 mentions), seamless integration across apps (629 mentions), and real-time collaboration (496 mentions). Users appreciate its unified ecosystem, cloud access, and AI-powered features like Gemini. Challenges include limited offline functionality, occasional performance slowdowns with large files, and pricing concerns. Overall, [Google Workspace](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews) offers a more comprehensive, integrated productivity suite with stronger collaboration tools and higher usability scores, while [Microsoft OneNote](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-onenote/reviews) is preferred for flexible, detailed note-taking within the Microsoft ecosystem. ### What are the best alternatives to Microsoft OneNote? Top alternatives to Microsoft OneNote include [Google Workspace](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews) (4.6/5 stars, 48,040 reviews), [Notion](https://www.g2.com/products/notion/reviews) (4.6/5 stars, 11,925 reviews), and [Evernote](https://www.g2.com/products/evernote/reviews) (4.3/5 stars, 2,030 reviews). Other notable alternatives are [Otter.ai](https://www.g2.com/products/otter-ai/reviews) (4.4/5 stars, 494 reviews), [Goodnotes](https://www.g2.com/products/goodnotes/reviews) (4.7/5 stars, 123 reviews), and [Zoho Notebook](https://www.g2.com/products/zoho-notebook/reviews) (4.4/5 stars, 69 reviews). ### What features do alternatives offer that Microsoft OneNote does not? Microsoft OneNote lacks advanced AI integration for note summarization and task automation, limited offline functionality, inconsistent formatting across devices, and less robust collaboration features compared to some alternatives. It also has performance issues with large notebooks and limited advanced formatting and task management capabilities. ### Which Note-Taking Software tools do reviewers recommend instead of Microsoft OneNote? Reviewers recommend [Google Workspace](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews) for its seamless real-time collaboration, integration across Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Meet, and AI-powered productivity features. [Notion](https://www.g2.com/products/notion/reviews) is favored for its all-in-one customizable workspace, AI integration, and flexibility to manage notes, tasks, and databases in one place. [Evernote](https://www.g2.com/products/evernote/reviews) is praised for its simplicity, powerful search including OCR, and reliable cross-device syncing. [Otter.ai](https://www.g2.com/products/otter-ai/reviews) is recommended for accurate real-time transcription and meeting summarization, enhancing note-taking efficiency. [Goodnotes](https://www.g2.com/products/goodnotes/reviews) is preferred for its natural handwriting experience, excellent organization, and PDF annotation capabilities. [Zoho Notebook](https://www.g2.com/products/zoho-notebook/reviews) is valued for its clean interface, versatile note cards, rich media support, and cross-platform syncing. These alternatives address OneNote’s limitations in AI features, collaboration, and performance with large notebooks. ### Why do users choose Google Workspace over Microsoft OneNote? Users choose [Google Workspace](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews) over [Microsoft OneNote](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-onenote/reviews) primarily for its superior ease of use and collaboration capabilities, as evidenced by 1,396 mentions of ease of use and 1,000 mentions of team collaboration. Google Workspace’s real-time co-editing across Docs, Sheets, and Slides eliminates version control issues, significantly enhancing productivity. Its seamless integration of Gmail, Drive, Meet, Calendar, and AI features like Gemini creates a unified ecosystem that simplifies workflows and improves communication. Additionally, Google Workspace scores higher in usability (9.3 vs 8.9), ease of setup (9.2 vs 9.0), and ease of administration (9.0 vs 8.9), reflecting a smoother onboarding and management experience. Users also value its cloud-based access from any device, facilitating remote and hybrid work environments. The platform’s intuitive interface and minimal learning curve enable faster adoption across teams. While some users note limitations such as offline functionality and pricing concerns, the overall value proposition of integrated tools, reliable performance, and advanced AI assistance drives preference for Google Workspace, especially among teams prioritizing collaboration and streamlined workflows according to G2 data. ### Explore Articles [ Is Citrix DaaS actually worth it for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) for teams needing both ease of use and enterprise-grade security? ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-citrix-daas-actually-worth-it-for-virtual-desktop-infrastructure-vdi-for-teams-needing-both-ease-of-use-and-enterprise-grade-security) [ Top-rated customer success tools for mobile app businesses ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/top-rated-customer-success-tools-for-mobile-app-businesses) [ What are the highest rated desktop publishing platforms for non-technical marketers who need to build professional collateral fast? ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-highest-rated-desktop-publishing-platforms-for-non-technical-marketers-who-need-to-build-professional-collateral-fast) [ Leading app performance monitoring software for cloud services ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/leading-app-performance-monitoring-software-for-cloud-services) [ Top-rated RO-I services for growth-focused firms ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/top-rated-ro-i-services-for-growth-focused-firms) [ Which web server accelerators are highest rated for high-traffic e-commerce platforms needing enterprise-grade performance? ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-web-server-accelerators-are-highest-rated-for-high-traffic-e-commerce-platforms-needing-enterprise-grade-performance) ### Spotlight Categories [ Employee Intranet Software ](https://www.g2.com/categories/employee-intranet) [ VoIP Providers ](https://www.g2.com/categories/voip) [ Bot Platforms Software ](https://www.g2.com/categories/bot-platforms)