Microsoft OneNote

Judgement

What it is

Complete system

What it does

A freeform notebook app with sections and pages where text, ink, images and clippings can sit anywhere on the page.

Adopt it when

You use Microsoft 365, take handwritten or pen notes, or want a free notebook that syncs through OneDrive.

Watch out

Export to other tools is awkward and its search and structure are weak for large note collections.

Ready for

Production-ready

Runs as

Desktop app, mobile app and cloud service

What the license allows

Closed source: you use it under the maker's terms and cannot change or resell the code.

Judged on 2026-11-03 from the maker's description and Wikipedia. The license and age lines are worked out directly.

Open-source alternatives to Microsoft OneNote

1. 1
   AppFlowy AppFlowy-IO

   Bring projects, wikis, and teams together with AI. AppFlowy is the AI collaborative workspace where you achieve more without losing control of your data. The leading open source Notion alternative.

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2. 2
   AFFiNE toeverything

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   Complete system Usable You want an open alternative to Notion that also does visual whiteboarding and can run offline.

   ★ 74k See repository TypeScript Active, pushed today
3. 3
   Memos usememos

   Memos is an open-source, self-hosted note-taking app that brings your everyday thoughts together in a personal timeline. Your data stays yours, and you choose what to keep private or share.

   Complete system Production-ready You want a quick place to jot thoughts and links on your own server.

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4. 4
   Joplin laurent22

   Joplin - the privacy-focused note taking app with sync capabilities for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

   Complete system Production-ready You want an Evernote replacement you control, across all your devices.

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5. 5
   SiYuan siyuan-note

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6. 6
   Trilium TriliumNext

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   Notesnook streetwriters

   A fully open source & end-to-end encrypted note taking alternative to Evernote.

   Complete system Production-ready Privacy matters most and you want encrypted notes synced across devices.

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8. 8
   VNote vnotex

   A pleasant note-taking platform with native speed, majoring in Markdown, MindMap, Typst, and plain text.

   Complete system Usable You want a fast desktop Markdown notes app rather than an Electron one.

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9. 9
   NoteGen codexu

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   Complete system Usable You collect scattered snippets during the day and want AI to draft notes from them.

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10. 10
    Rnote flxzt

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    Complete system Usable You take handwritten notes on a Linux laptop or tablet.

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Every alternative to Microsoft OneNote

Other commercial note-taking apps

1. 1
   Obsidian Dynalist Inc.

   The free and flexible app for your private thoughts.

   Complete system Production-ready You want notes as plain files you own, work offline, and are happy to tune your setup with plugins.

   6.2k readers a month Since 2020 Commercial
2. 2
   Notion Notion Labs

   Build Custom Agents, search across all your apps, and automate busywork. The AI workspace where teams get more done, faster.

   Complete system Production-ready A small or mid-size team wants one flexible tool for docs, wiki and light project tracking.

   4.1k readers a month Since 2016 Commercial
3. 3
   Evernote Bending Spoons

   Our note taking app helps you capture and prioritize ideas, projects and to-do lists, so nothing falls through the cracks. Start your free trial today!

   Complete system Production-ready You already keep years of notes in Evernote, or want strong web clipping and scanned-document search.

   2k readers a month Since 2008 Commercial

Under it

Every program, Microsoft OneNote included, runs on a microchip.

How compilers were built, back to punched paper tape