Exploring the Top Alternatives to Microsoft OneNote in 2020
Microsoft OneNote has long been celebrated as one of the best note-taking apps available, boasting a myriad of features and a broad platform reach. However, its complexity can deter beginners, and its resource intensity might frustrate those with less powerful devices. For anyone seeking a lighter, simpler alternative, you’re in luck! Here’s a curated list of the top 12 OneNote alternatives, each offering unique functionality to help you find the perfect fit for your note-taking needs.
1. Evernote
Evernote stands out as perhaps OneNote’s most prominent competitor. Renowned for its extensive feature set, it allows users to organize notes into different notebooks and even create stacked notebooks for better organization. Collaboration is a breeze, thanks to its robust sharing features. Users can seamlessly collaborate with classmates or colleagues on projects, making it a favorite among teams. Evernote also offers a web-clipper to easily save online content and supports various note formats, including audio and images.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
- Pricing: Free (Basic), $69.99/year (Premium), $14.99/user/month (Business)
2. Simplenote
For those craving simplicity, Simplenote is the answer. This minimalistic app delivers a clean, intuitive user interface that makes note-taking feel effortless. With instant sync capabilities across devices, managing notes, reminders, and to-do lists has never been easier. Plus, its lightweight nature ensures smooth performance on older devices. Simplenote’s unique tagging system makes organizing notes highly efficient, allowing for multiple tags per note.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web
- Pricing: Free
3. Notion
Notion has quickly surged in popularity, functioning as both a note-taking app and a project management tool. It provides users with the flexibility to create diverse content, from simple notes to complex project timelines. Notion supports a non-linear organization structure with tags, and the convenient ‘/’ command makes it easy to format and add elements to notes. It’s particularly beneficial for teams with collaborative workspace needs.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
- Pricing: Free, starts at $4/month/user
4. Laverna
Privacy-conscious users will appreciate Laverna, an open-source note-taking app focusing on data security. With its end-to-end encryption and simple UI, Laverna provides a reliable space for creating text notes. Its support for Markdown editing enriches the user experience, allowing for seamless formatting while writing.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Pricing: Free
5. Google Keep
Google Keep offers a unique approach to note-taking with its colorful card interface. It allows users to easily color-code notes for quick reference, ensuring urgent items stand out. Seamlessly integrating with other Google services, Keep enables users to draft emails within the app and create reminders or to-do lists. It also features a web-clipper for saving online content.
- Supported Platforms: Android, iOS, Web, Chrome OS
- Pricing: Free
6. Zoho Notebook
Zoho Notebook showcases an attractive design while offering a rich set of features. Users can create different notebooks, complete with custom covers, and can sync notes across multiple devices without restriction. The app includes options for creating text notes, voice notes, and browser content saving, making it a formidable contender against OneNote.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web
- Pricing: Free
7. Bear
Exclusively designed for Apple users, Bear is celebrated for its stunning UI and smooth performance. Its tagging system is central to note organization, allowing for multiple tag assignments. The intuitive Markdown editing feature simplifies formatting, making note-taking a delight.
- Supported Platforms: macOS, iOS
- Pricing: Free, $14.99/year
8. Elephant
Elephant serves as an open-source alternative to Evernote, with a similar organizational structure. While it allows the creation of notes and notebooks, it operates primarily offline, saving data directly on the device. Users seeking external synchronization options can rely on third-party services like Dropbox.
- Supported Platforms: Windows
- Pricing: Free
9. Turtl
For users prioritizing privacy, Turtl offers secure note storage using cryptographic keys. It allows for a variety of content types, from notes to bookmarks and documents. Organizational capabilities are enhanced with “Boards,” enabling layered structures that can hold other boards, promoting a well-organized workspace.
- Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
- Pricing: Free
10. Keep It
Designed for macOS and iOS, Keep It delivers a powerful yet lightweight note-taking experience. It allows users to create various note types, including checklists and attachments. The app’s organizational potential shines, offering bundles and folders for note management, complemented by iCloud syncing.
- Supported Platforms: macOS, iOS
- Pricing: $49.99
11. CintaNotes
Ideal for users looking to create a knowledge base, CintaNotes allows for capturing information from various sources with ease. It supports linking notes, creating a personal wiki-like experience, which is a feature lacking in OneNote. Sophisticated search capabilities further enhance its utility.
- Supported Platforms: Windows
- Pricing: Free, $39/year, $119 for lifetime
12. GoodNotes
Primarily designed for iPad users, GoodNotes excels in supporting handwritten notes with its robust set of features. From PDF annotations to document imports, it caters to students and academics who prefer a handwritten approach. GoodNotes utilizes OCR technology to make notes searchable, enhancing functionality significantly.
- Supported Platforms: iPadOS, iOS, macOS
- Pricing: $7.99 for iPhone and iPad, $7.99 for Mac
These alternatives provide a broad spectrum of functionalities suited for various types of users. Whether you’re seeking a straightforward note-taking app or a robust platform that includes collaborative tools, this list has you covered. Each option presents unique advantages, ensuring you can find the ideal fit for your note-taking requirements.