Best 6 OneNote Alternatives In 2026 | 100+ Personally Tested Tools
There are over 30 possible Microsoft OneNote alternatives. The question is, which one should you try?
I used OneNote for many years. It is a simple note-taking app that lets you easily organize your personal notes. However, I reached a point where OneNote was simply not enough for note-taking and other capabilities.
But what other options do you have?
Over the last year, I spent 500+ hours testing more than 100 productivity tools, including note-taking apps, to find the best ones.
In this guide, I’ll break down the best Microsoft OneNote alternatives that stood out the most, who they’re best for, when you should skip them, and which ones I’d personally recommend for your use case.
Let’s dive in!
OneNote Alternatives I’d Actually Use (Quick Picks)
If you are short on time and don’t want to read the whole article, here are the OneNote alternatives that impressed me the most.
Below, you’ll find a quick comparison table covering the key strengths, limitations, pricing, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the right fit faster.
🎨 Best alternative for visual note-taking: Xtiles
🧰 Best all-in-one workspace alternative: Notion
🧩 Best alternative for building custom workspaces & databases: Coda
🧠 Best alternative for personal knowledge management: Obsidian
🔒 Best Microsoft OneNote alternative for private note-taking: Anytype
🌱 Best open-source OneNote alternative: AppFlowy
The Criteria Behind Our Picks
When selecting the most capable Microsoft OneNote alternative, we used our standardized testing framework for note-taking apps, developed over 3+ years of testing productivity apps.
The scores you’ll see throughout this article come from real-world testing across multiple categories. You can find a more detailed scoring breakdown inside each individual review.
For alternatives like Notion and Coda, we primarily used our project management testing framework, so their scores reflect broader capabilities and not just note-taking.
Because of this, I did not rank these OneNote alternatives purely by score. Instead, I organized them by their best use cases and overall value for different user types.
Our scoring breakdown after testing 10+ note-taking apps:
⚙️ Features & functionality — 50%
🖥️ User interface — 10%
⚡ Performance & reliability — 10%
📱 Cross-platform experience — 10%
💰 Pricing — 10%
👥 Real-world experience — 10%
Want a detailed breakdown of how we test each category?
Learn exactly how we test tools → Review methodology
How the Top OneNote Alternatives Compare
|
OneNote alternatives |
Best for 🎯 |
Standout feature ⚡ |
Main drawback ⚠️ |
Offline support 🌐 |
Pricing starts 💰 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Visual note-taking |
Beautiful UI |
Less advanced features for knowledge-base systems |
❌ No |
Free plan + paid from $15/month billed annually |
|
|
All-in-one workspace |
Built-in AI features |
Privacy |
✅ Yes |
Free plan + paid from $10/month billed annually |
|
|
Building custom workspaces & databases |
Powerful docs + databases |
No desktop app for Windows |
❌ No |
Free plan + paid from $10/user/month billed annually |
|
|
Personal knowledge management |
Graphs |
Limited collaboration features |
✅ Yes |
Free plan + paid from $4/user/month billed annually |
|
|
Private note-taking |
Strong data privacy and security |
Learning curve |
✅ Yes |
Free plan + paid from $4/user/month billed annually |
|
|
Open-source OneNote alternative |
Offline & self-hosted |
Missing core features |
✅ Yes |
Free plan + paid from $10/user/month billed annually |
Breaking Down the Best OneNote Alternatives
If you want to see my real-world experience with these apps, their key features, pricing, strengths, limitations, and who they’re best suited for, just go down for the detailed breakdowns.
Xtiles
Xtiles is a visual note-taking app that lets you organize notes and manage your projects and tasks. Xtiles refers to itself as the baby of Notion and Miro, as it uses tiles for note-taking.
Xtiles vs OneNote
Visual thinkers, creators, teams, and users with ADHD who want a more flexible and visual workspace
Traditional notebook structure and more mature long-form note organization
A tile-based organization that makes notes, ideas, and projects easier to visualize
Less advanced for complex project management and knowledge-base systems
Testing Xtiles in everyday use
Xtiles is a visually appealing app that offers many ways to visually organize your notes. But most importantly, it is a very simple app with a short learning curve compared to other OneNote alternatives on this list.
Although Xtiles is an easy-to-use note-taking app, it offers great flexibility for organizing your notes and tasks. What makes Xtiles stand out is its visual board system, which feels similar to Miro.
That said, power users should keep in mind that Xtiles is not ideal for advanced knowledge management. Compared to apps like Anytype, Obsidian, or even Notion, it lacks in-depth database functionality, relationship mapping, and more sophisticated organizational capabilities.
If you are coming from OneNote, the biggest adjustment is the structure. Xtiles does not follow OneNote’s traditional notebook-style layout, and it is less suitable for organizing large amounts of long-form content.
Nonetheless, if you want a more visual, modern, and user-friendly way to organize notes and ideas, Xtiles is one of the most refreshing OneNote alternatives I tested.
When Xtiles makes the most sense
When to consider other OneNote alternatives
What You Get With Xtiles
Note-taking tools: Xtiles’ visual boards include tiles, which are the elements on a page to display and organize information. It has a super-easy drag-and-drop interface, so you can create a tile of any size if you click on the canvas. You can add different types of content with Xtiles, such as text, lists, tables, images, videos, code, etc. Unlike most note-taking apps, where you can only drag and drop elements after each other, the tiles give you way more customization options, as you can select the exact size and position of the tiles. In the end, it offers a way more personalized experience for your notes than any other app. Luckily, you can create sub-pages, which gives you an extra layer on which to structure your notes.
Project management tools: Xtiles is an ideal project management app for small teams, individuals, and creatives. It has basic features designed for simple project management, so you will learn it fast.
Task management tools: You can create to-do lists in Xtiles as well. Using this feature, you can add a task, assign it to your team members or yourself, and give a due date. It is a useful feature for those who do not want to use a different app to handle the to-do list and want to integrate every function into one app.
Templates: Xtiles offers numerous templates, from project trackers to weekly, monthly, or yearly planners. However, there are templates for productivity, education, brainstorming, teams, and meetings. If you click on the template gallery, you will see all the templates, and you can add them with one click.
Collaboration features: If you work with others, you can effortlessly share everything with your team and manage your projects from here. Also, you can assign tasks to others easily.
Integrations: It offers seamless integration to +7000 third-party apps using the Zapier integration. Also, if you have paid plans, Xtiles offers instant syncing with Google Calendar, Google Drive, and Slack. Integrating Google Calendar with Xtiles is quite helpful, as you can see your meetings and appointments in Xtiles. With this integration, you can centralize your calendars, notes, and tasks in one single place.
Mobile app: Xtiles has a mobile version for Android and iOS. So, it is ideal for Apple users as well. The mobile version lacks some features compared to the desktop version.
How Much Does Xtiles Cost?
The free plan includes unlimited blocks, projects, free templates, one workspace to share, three personal workspaces, unlimited storage (5MB/file), and five pages per project. The free plan is ideal for individuals, mainly for personal use.
The Plus plan is $15 per month per user. In addition to the features included in the free plan, it offers unlimited personal spaces and pages, premium templates, unlimited storage, recurring task features, and Google Calendar integration.
Furthermore, Xtiles offers the Family plan at $25 per user per month. With this plan, an additional three family members can access the Plus plan’s features.
Lastly, there is a Team plan for $35 per month per team, which is a generous price for small teams. It includes personal onboarding, no member limits, and all the Plus features.
Xtiles Pros: Where It Wins
|
Pro |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|
|
Appealing UI |
Xtiles is a beautiful and easy-to-use app that keeps your data and workflow organized. It offers a more visually appealing experience on a day-to-day basis than OneNote or other alternatives. |
|
Tile-based note-taking |
Using tiles for your notes provides more customization options for Xtiles users. |
|
Generous Free plan |
The free version includes many features you need for personal use without pushing you to upgrade. |
|
Sub-pages |
Creating sub-pages helps to structure your ideas, projects, and notes on a deeper level. |
|
Affordable Team plan |
The Team plan is a budget-friendly option for small teams if they need a OneNote alternative for note-taking and lightweight project management. |
Xtiles Cons: Where It Struggles
|
Con |
Why It Hurts |
|---|---|
|
Mobile app still feels unpolished |
Using the mobile version, you may run into bugs. |
|
Limited project management feature depth |
If you are looking for a tool that offers more than just note-taking but solid project management features, Xtiles might fall short due to the lack of project management & automation features. |
|
No offline access |
Compared to some other OneNote alternatives like Obsidian or Anytype, you can only access your boards with an internet connection. |
Why is Xtiles the best Microsoft OneNote alternative for visual note-taking?
Xtiles offers a more visual and flexible way to organize notes, ideas, and tasks than Microsoft OneNote. Its tile-based workspace makes it especially practical for visual thinkers, creators, and users who prefer a more customizable and modern note-taking experience.
Unlike OneNote’s traditional notebook structure, Xtiles lets you organize content on visual boards, making brainstorming, planning, and connecting ideas feel far more intuitive.
At the same time, it remains one of the easiest OneNote alternatives to use, thanks to its clean interface and short learning curve.
🔎 Read my full Xtiles Review: Is It The Best Notion Alternative In 2026?
Notion
Notion is like a Swiss army knife; you can use it for many purposes. It provides a centralized workspace where you can organize your thoughts, notes, tasks, projects, and documents in one place.
Notion vs OneNote
Users who want an all-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, databases, and project management in one app
Simpler note-taking experience and better offline reliability
Combines note-taking, databases, collaboration, AI tools, and project management in a highly customizable workspace
Privacy and offline limitations due to its cloud-first architecture and reliance on external servers
Testing Notion in everyday use
I have been using Notion for more than two years to keep my notes and projects structured. While I tested 100+ productivity apps with advanced note-taking capabilities, I did not switch to any of them.
Not because they offered less advanced note-taking capabilities, but because Notion delivers more than just note-taking.
It combines note-taking, databases, collaboration, AI tools, and project management in a highly customizable workspace. And this is something only a few apps can truly deliver.
However, it has a learning curve, especially compared to OneNote. While you will find more complex apps for digital note-taking on this list, it will take at least a few days to learn Notion’s functions when switching from OneNote.
Still, if you invest the time, Notion can easily replace 4–5 tools and become the backbone of your entire workflow.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that one of Notion’s main drawbacks is its privacy and offline limitations, stemming from its cloud-first architecture.
So, if this is your key priority, I suggest you check Anytype, Obsidian, or Appflowy.
When Notion makes the most sense
When to consider other OneNote alternatives
What You Get With Notion
Note-taking tools: Notion is a sophisticated note-taking app with rich formatting options that allows you to easily add and organize different types of content called blocks. In your notes, you can add images, audio recordings, bookmarks, videos, code, a kanban board, and more by simply hitting the “/” button on your keyboard. I especially love the embedded functions. Notion offers multiple embedded forms like YouTube videos, Google Docs, Google Maps, Miro, and more.
Project management tools: Using Notion, you can visualize and manage projects in different formats, from calendars to boards. Depending on the format you choose, Notion allows you to use progress bars to show how your project is moving forward. When checking your projects, you can utilize filters to show only the tasks assigned to you or the urgent ones.
Task management tools: Notion’s task management features have everything that you need. You can break your projects into manageable tasks and add status, assignee, or due dates.
Templates: Notion currently has more than 20,000 free templates from which you can browse. This is an insane number. Just to give you an example: if you want to create a to-do list, you can choose from almost a thousand templates.
Collaboration features: It has robust features for team collaboration. You can create workspaces and invite team members to work on pages in real time, create wikis together, and manage projects or tasks.
AI tools: Notion offers efficient AI features. Notion AI helps you to create content, databases, write meeting agendas, and much more. You can also use it to transcribe and summarize your meetings. In addition, it includes AI Agents that not only answer questions but proactively complete multi-step workflows.
Integrations: Notion provides many integration possibilities. You can integrate it with Zapier, which will give you access to more than 8000 apps. In addition to the Zapier integration, you can connect Notion with more than 100 other apps, including Asana, ClickUp, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Jira.
Mobile app: It has a simple mobile app that allows you to access your notes and track your tasks from anywhere and anytime. When using Notion’s mobile app, I did not encounter any bugs.
How Much Does Notion Cost?
The Free plan includes most of the note-taking features and lets you use Notion Calendar and Notion Mail.
The Pro plan is $10 per member monthly billed annually, and offers unlimited collaborative blocks, file uploads, custom form, and basic integrations.
Notion also offers a Business ($20/member/month) and Enterprise plan with advanced AI features, including AI meeting notes and agents.
Notion Pros: Where It Wins
|
Pro |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|
|
Easy to use |
Despite its powerful capabilities, Notion offers an intuitive interface that becomes easy to navigate once you learn the basics. |
|
Well-rounded all-in-one solution |
Notion combines notes, tasks, databases, wikis, and project management in one centralized workspace. |
|
Advanced collaboration features |
Real-time editing, comments, mentions, and shared workspaces make collaboration smooth for teams. |
|
Feature-rich free plan |
The free version includes many powerful features for personal use, including databases, notes, and collaboration tools. |
|
Practical AI features |
Notion offers practical AI features for creating notes, building databases, summarizing meetings, and even integrating AI agents into your workflows. |
Notion Cons: Where It Struggles
|
Con |
Why It Hurts |
|---|---|
|
Limited offline access |
Notion only supports partial offline functionality, and downloaded pages may not fully sync in real time. |
|
Steep learning curve |
Its flexibility can feel overwhelming for new users, especially when building more advanced workflows. |
|
Limited privacy & security controls |
Unlike some OneNote alternatives, Notion lacks local-first storage and more advanced privacy features, such as password-protected notes. |
Why is Notion a capable all-in-one app alternative to OneNote?
Notion is more than just a note-taking app, unlike OneNote. Besides organizing notes, it allows you to manage databases, projects, tasks, documents, and team collaboration in one centralized workspace.
When comparing Notion and OneNote side by side, Notion significantly outperforms OneNote in terms of flexibility, customization, and workflow automation, even on its free plan.
🔎 Read my full review: My Honest Notion Review After Using It For +2 Years (2026)
Coda
Coda is an all-in-one collaborative workspace for individuals and teams. It integrates note-taking, task management, project management, document management, and team collaboration features into one platform
Coda vs OneNote
Teams, power users, and businesses that want docs, databases, project management, and automation in one workspace
Better offline note-taking and a straightforward notebook-style experience
Similar to Notion, it integrates multiple apps into one platform, but Coda has a stronger focus on database and project management besides note-taking
No offline support and dedicated Windows app
Testing Coda in everyday use
Coda surprised me most with its project management capabilities. Its ease of use, wide range of display options, and customization possibilities make Coda a perfect choice.
Coda blends documents, spreadsheets, and apps into a single flexible workspace known for powerful formulas and automation features.
It offers many templates for specific use cases, helping you speed up document creation.
Also, I appreciated its powerful note-taking capabilities. Compared to other alternatives on this list, it offers a similar level of note-taking features to Notion.
Where I struggled with Coda is the lack of a Windows app, which means you can only use it with an internet connection.
When Coda makes the most sense
When to consider other OneNote alternatives
What You Get With Coda
Note-taking tools: They use blocks to structure your content. You can use different paragraph styles, add quotes, callouts, and more. If you click on the “/” tab, you can create blocks. When creating them, you can choose from many formats, from templates, text, tables, images, calendars, and so on.
Project management tools: During my review, I realized that this note-taking app makes it easy for people to get the information they need quickly, as it has advanced visualization features. Coda offers numerous view options that help to visualize dependencies, making the project planning and tracking much smoother. For example, it has tables, grids, boards, calendars, Gantt charts, and many other views. Also, I experienced how super easy it is to create customized dashboards and apply filters.
Task management tools: With Coda, you can add different columns for each task. When adding columns, you can change their types, which is great, as it makes filling in the data easier and organizing your tasks. When considering what type you want to add, there is a full list from which you can choose. You can insert text, dates, checkboxes, links, files, assignees, and many other elements.
Templates: Coda’s Gallery includes many templates for project management, meetings, knowledge management, project briefs, OKRs, and more. Templates are great for creating documents and projects faster.
Automation tools: Coda’s automation has two steps: When and Then. However, you can also add the “If” condition to your rules. You can easily create automation with Coda and streamline many workflows.
Collaboration features: Coda has many collaborative features. You can edit text in real-time, mention and tag others, or assign tasks to your team members. You can share documents easily with your team members with a click, so you can be on the same page. It has tools for permission management and workflow automation, which can make your team’s collaboration smoother.
AI tools: Coda has an AI assistant that helps you in many ways when taking notes. For example, it can summarize, translate, answer questions, or help you brainstorm an idea or convert it into a table. The use cases of Coda AI are almost endless. As you use Coda along the way, you will implement it in more workflows than you think.
Integrations: Coda is a versatile tool that you can integrate with multiple third-party apps, including Zapier. Thanks to the Zapier integrations, Coda supports integrations with more than 7,000 third-party apps.
Mobile app: Coda has a mobile version as well. It is not as versatile as the desktop version and has fewer features, but you can use it to track your projects and tasks and read your notes.
How Much Does Coda Cost?
The Free plan includes essential features such as unlimited doc size for unshared docs, collaborative docs, tables, charts, kanban boards, forms, and automation. The free version is ideal for individuals or teams that want to test whether Coda suits the whole team.
The Pro plan is $10 per month and is ideal for small businesses or individuals who need advanced features. This plan includes a 30-day version history, hidden pages, custom domains, branding, icons, and AI credits.
If you want unlimited automation, version history, and AI credits, you should go with the Team plan, which costs $30 per month. Using Coda’s Team plan, you will access the folder access, which can be crucial for teams.
Lastly, Coda offers an Enterprise plan for large businesses with custom pricing.
Coda Pros: Where It Wins
|
Pro |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|
|
Flexible note-taking experience |
Its block-based editor makes organizing notes intuitive, and you can easily rearrange content to fit your workflow. |
|
Powerful docs + databases |
Unlike OneNote, Coda combines documents and databases into a single workspace, making it easier to build structured workflows and organize information. |
|
Useful AI features |
Coda AI helps you summarize notes, generate content, brainstorm ideas, and automate repetitive work directly inside your documents. |
|
Feature-rich free plan |
The free version includes many powerful features for personal use, including databases, notes, and collaboration tools. |
|
Advanced project management features |
Coda offers numerous views, automations, and workflow customization options that make managing projects far more flexible than traditional note-taking apps. |
Coda Cons: Where It Struggles
|
Con |
Why It Hurts |
|---|---|
|
Limited offline functionality |
In contrast to OneNote, Coda relies on an internet connection, and there is no true offline-first experience. |
|
No dedicated Windows desktop app |
Coda primarily runs in the browser, which may be a disadvantage for users who prefer native desktop applications. |
Why is Coda a suitable alternative to build custom workspaces?
If you are looking for a tool very similar to Notion, with a more user-friendly interface and a shorter learning curve, Coda is a perfect choice for your team.
Coda outperforms OneNote in almost all areas, except for offline and Windows support, and I can recommend it to those who need not only a note-taking app but also a solid project management tool.
🔎 Read my full Coda.io Review: Here’s What Surprised Me! (2026)
Obsidian
Obsidian is a powerful note-taking application that has grown fast over the last few years. It has a local-first approach, meaning your files are stored locally, and only you can access your notes. Besides using Obsidian on your PC (Mac, Windows, and Linux), you can access your notes from mobile devices, including IOS and Android.
Obsidian vs OneNote
Power users, researchers, writers, and knowledge workers who want deep note organization and linked thinking
OneNote offers a more beginner-friendly note-taking experience with a short learning curve
Local-first note-taking with bidirectional linking, graph view, and advanced knowledge management capabilities
A steeper learning curve and a less intuitive setup for casual users
Testing Obsidian in everyday use
Obsidian is a powerful note-taking application that has grown fast over the last few years. It has a local-first approach, meaning your files are stored locally, and only you can access your notes.
You can also access your notes from mobile devices, including IOS and Android. However, you need a paid plan to sync notes across multiple devices.
When it comes to taking notes, Obsidian uses markdown language. So, when you create paragraphs, Obsidian uses a blank line to separate blocks of text. This way, all your blocks will be separated by blank lines and treated as distinct paragraphs.
Nevertheless, using markdown files has additional advantages. Essentially, markdown files are widely supported, and you can transfer these files to other note-taking apps if you want to switch from Obsidian in the future. This way, you can own your data and notes, no matter which note-taking app you use.
Also, one thing to consider is the regular updates. Obsidian’s team continuously develops this note-taking app, so it will just get better in the future.
When Obsidian makes the most sense
When to consider other OneNote alternatives
What You Get With Obsidian
Note-taking tools: Obsidian uses markdown language when writing your notes. To create paragraphs, just insert a blank line to separate your paragraphs. If you press Enter, it will create a new line in your note, and it will be treated as a continuation of the same paragraph in the rendered output. Also, you can change the size of your fonts under the Appearance option in settings even if you use Obsidian on mobile devices. You can create tags, which help you organize and find your notes more easily. Just enter a hash symbol (#), and you can choose from your tags. When taking notes, Obsidian allows you to use attachments, such as images, audio files, or PDFs.
Project management tools: Obsidian has no project management tools, but you can create projects as notes.
Task management tools: Task management is not Obsidian’s core capability. However, you can use the calendar, reminders, data view, and sync options to manage your tasks.
Templates: You can find the templates under the core plugins. You can also download a sample vault.
Collaboration features: With Obsidian, you can share folders with other users and collaborate in real time. But honestly, the collaborative features are not that massive compared to Notion or Coda.
Integrations: Using the plugins, you can integrate Obsidian with other third-party apps like Todoist, Trello, or Toggl Track. The number of integrations is quite limited, but at least some popular tools are among them.
Mobile app: Obsidian has a mobile version for Android and iPhone users. I personally used the iPhone version and had no problem with it. However, I read some negative user reports about the Android version, saying that it is slow and crashes sometimes.
How Much Does Obsidian Cost?
If you use Obsidian for personal use, it is 100% free. The free version for personal use includes all the features, themes, plugins, APIs, and community support.
If you require sync across devices, version history, end-to-end encryption, or collaboration features, you need to pay $4 per user per month with yearly billing.
Moreover, to publish notes to the web, you need to pay for the Publish add-on for $8 per user per month, billed annually.
Obsidian Pros: Where It Wins
|
Pro |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|
|
Strong privacy & security |
Obsidian stores your notes locally, and with Obsidian Sync, you can protect your data using end-to-end encryption. |
|
Excellent free plan |
The free version includes most of the features you need for personal knowledge management and note organization. |
|
Regular updates & plugin ecosystem |
With Obsidian, you access frequent updates, and its large plugin ecosystem continuously expands its capabilities. |
|
Powerful graph view & bidirectional links |
These features make it easier to visualize relationships between notes and build a connected knowledge base. |
|
Markdown-based notes |
Using markdown files gives you full ownership of your notes and makes switching to other apps more painless in the future. |
Obsidian Cons: Where It Struggles
|
Con |
Why It Hurts |
|---|---|
|
Steep learning curve |
Obsidian is a significantly more complex app than Microsoft OneNote (it’s somewhere between Notion and Anytype). So, learning how to use it effectively will take time. |
|
Limited collaboration features |
Obsidian is better suited for personal knowledge management than for team collaboration. |
|
No web version |
Obsidian requires a desktop or mobile app and does not offer a web version. |
Why is Obsidian a powerful alternative for personal knowledge management?
Obsidian’s graph view makes it easy to create your personal knowledge base, showing how your ideas are connected, and it is especially useful for personal and lecture notes.
Thanks to its markdown note-taking system, you won’t lose your notes when you switch to another note-taking app.
While Obsidian offers extensive possibilities to create your second brain, it comes with a steep learning curve if you are switching from OneNote.
🔎 Read my full Obsidian Review: What Nobody Tells You About This App (2026)
Anytype
Imagine Anytype as a combination of Notion and Obsidian. It adopted object-based note-taking, which makes it easier to connect ideas and notes. While some people love it, others find it too complex. It has a fantastic community behind it and could become the best Notion alternative in the future for note-taking.
Anytype vs OneNote
Privacy-focused users and advanced note-takers who want to build a connected personal knowledge base
Simpler note-taking, faster onboarding, and a more beginner-friendly experience
Object-based note-taking with powerful linking, local-first storage, and advanced knowledge organization capabilities
Anytype has the longest learning curve, possibly weeks compared to competitors
Testing Anytype in everyday use
Most people only mention how great Anytype is and highlight its privacy-focused approach, which is completely true.
But the truth is, most of them didn’t even try for more than 10 minutes because they got lost in how it actually works. And it’s not their fault.
Anytype is the most complex app I have tried in the past few years. I helped more than 20,000 people get started with this note-taking app.
Still, after a new update comes out and Anytype changes how the functions work (they’ve done this a few times in the past few years), I have to spend a few hours catching up.
And honestly, this is when I left Anytype and switched back to Notion.
But Anytype remained a special app to me with unique features. Its object-based note-taking system works well when you want to connect your notes and offers almost endless possibilities for building your personal knowledge management center.
It implements a decentralized model that prioritizes privacy and security, making it one of the most privacy-focused note-taking apps.
Switching from OneNote to Anytype is like going from primary school directly to the university. It’s a huge jump in terms of features and possibilities, but also comes with an extremely steep learning curve.
When Anytype makes the most sense
When to consider other OneNote alternatives
What You Get With Anytype
Note-taking tools: Anytype uses object-based note-taking. In the world of Anytype, everything you see and interact with is an object. Whether you add a page, image, text, file, or task, they are all objects in this note-taking app. Similarly to Notion and Coda, you can quickly add an object if you press the “slash” button. Anytype uses types to categorize these objects, and you can connect them with links and relations. Using its mindmap feature, you can quickly overview the relations between your objects.
Task management tools: It has the basic functionality to manage your to-do list. Anytype allows you to create task lists, and you can use different filter options. Although Anytype has task management features, it is a complex tool for those who just want to have a task management app.
Templates: Anytype has some customizable templates prepared by the community. They help you to create and scale your object creation workflows.
Collaboration features: You can share your spaces with your team members, where you can collaborate with each other. Compared to tools like Notion or Coda, Anytype has very limited features when it comes to team collaboration.
Mobile app: Anytype is available on mobile devices, including iOS and Android. It worked smoothly on my mobile.
How Much Does Anytype Cost?
The free plan includes 1 GB of network space, three shared spaces, and three space members per shared space. Using the free plan, you can sync your devices, get backup storage, and even collaborate in small groups.
The builder plan provides a unique name for you: 128 GB of network space, three shared spaces, 10 Editors per shared space, unlimited viewers per shared space, and priority support. This plan works great for small teams.
The co-creator plan is quite similar to the builder plan. However, this plan offers 256 GB of network space and a shorter unique name. This plan is ideal for teams.
Lastly, Anytype offers business plans upon request, where you can determine the size of the network space, the number of editors, and the number of shared spaces, and it offers unlimited Viewers per shared space.
Anytype Pros: Where It Wins
|
Pro |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|
|
Strong privacy & local-first approach |
Anytype stores your data locally, giving you more control and privacy than cloud-first note-taking apps like Notion or Coda. |
|
Extensive free plan |
The free version includes many features that individuals may require to build their system. |
|
Advanced knowledge management capabilities |
Anytype is one of the most sophisticated note-taking apps for building connected knowledge bases and organizing information with its object-based method. |
|
Seamless syncing |
You can sync your notes across desktop and mobile devices while maintaining a local-first experience. |
Anytype Cons: Where It Struggles
|
Con |
Why It Hurts |
|---|---|
|
Extremely steep learning curve |
Anytype is significantly more complex than OneNote, and learning its object-based system can take a long time. |
|
Some features are still evolving |
Since Anytype is a relatively new app, certain features and workflows continue to change, which can feel overwhelming even for power users. |
Why is Anytype the best OneNote alternative for private note-taking?
Anytype is currently the safest note-taking app on the market, and it has an extensive free plan that is sufficient for individuals. With this note-taking app, you can store all your data in a safe place, and it provides almost infinite options for data organization.
Considering all these aspects, Anytype is the best free Microsoft OneNote alternative for individuals who need a safe note-taking app.
🔎 Read my full Anytype Review: The Best Note-Taking App In 2026?
AppFlowy
AppFlowy is an open-source AI-driven workspace to bring projects, wikis, and teams together. It has a similar layout to Notion and is easy to use. Thanks to its collaboration, note-taking, and project management features, it’s a promising OneNote alternative that you can access with offline mode as well.
AppFlowy vs OneNote
Users who want an open-source workspace for notes, projects, and collaboration
More polished note-taking experience and a larger ecosystem with stronger integrations
Open-source and local-first architecture with offline access and self-hosting capabilities
Considering that it’s still a relatively new player, it has a less mature feature set and integrations than other alternatives like Notion or Coda
Testing AppFlowy in everyday use
I had a positive experience with AppFlowy. It was easy to navigate its pages and find the key features.
AppFlowy offers a straightforward solution for organizing tasks, projects, and notes.
If you are running a small team with a focus on data privacy, but need more than just a note-taking app, AppFlowy could be a practical solution thanks to its pricing.
When it comes to the AI capabilities, AppFlowy supports top-tier models (GPT, Claude) for generating drafts, expanding on topics, and extracting insights. However, you can access these for internet-based workflows.
If you prioritize 100% data privacy and want to work offline, AppFlowy’s Local AI feature (LAI) supports open-weight models, but you can run them through third-party apps.
When Appflowy makes the most sense
When to consider other OneNote alternatives
What You Get With AppFlowy
Note-taking tools: AppFlowy uses building blocks when creating content. It enables you to use the slash command menu so you can insert headings, text, images, boards, grids, and calendars more quickly. Appflowy is a very capable tool for writing notes or tracking your tasks and projects.
Project management tools: AppFlowy works like a lightweight project management app, and you can organize projects easily. I loved how simple it is to use numerous view options for project management. Also, it is very simple to share your projects with your team members.
Task management tools: With AppFlowy, you can add status, assignees, progress, dates, and many others to each project. It has all the tools you need to effectively manage tasks with your team members.
Templates: AppFlowy has a template gallery where you can find the template that fits you and change the properties.
Collaboration features: AppFlowy has some easy-to-use collaboration features. For instance, you can share projects with your team members and assign tasks to them.
AI tools: AppFlowy has an AI writer feature as well. If you press slash, you can use AI to come up with new ideas, summarize text, or answer questions.
Integrations: It supports Zapier integrations, so you can connect AppFlowy with more than 7000 third-party apps.
Mobile app: AppFlowy has a mobile version as well. You can use this productivity tool on Android and iOS devices.
How Much Does AppFlowy Cost?
The free plan includes one collaborative workspace for up to two members, unlimited pages & blocks, 5 GB storage, 10 AI responses, Intelligent search, real-time collaboration, and a mobile app.
The Pro plan includes all these features, and you can use it for up to 10 workspace members for $10 per member per month.
AppFlowy also offers self-hosted plans starting at $1/month.
AppFlowy Pros: Where It Wins
|
Pro |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|
|
Easy-to-use interface |
AppFlowy keeps things simple and intuitive, making it easier to get started. |
|
Affordable for teams |
Compared to tools like Notion, AppFlowy offers a more budget-friendly solution for teams that need note-taking and project management features. |
|
Relatively short learning curve |
AppFlowy is relatively beginner-friendly compared to Anytype, Notion, and Obsidian. |
|
Local AI capabilities |
AppFlowy allows you to run AI models locally on your device without sending sensitive data to external APIs. |
|
Strong privacy & offline access |
Its local-first architecture and offline mode make AppFlowy a great option for users who value data ownership and privacy. |
AppFlowy Cons: Where It Struggles
|
Con |
Why It Hurts |
|---|---|
|
Limited integration options |
AppFlowy currently supports fewer third-party integrations than most OneNote alternatives on this list. |
|
Basic automation capabilities |
Its workflow automation features are still relatively limited. |
Why is AppFlowy a capable open-source OneNote alternative?
AppFlowy combines note-taking, project management, and collaboration features in a privacy-focused open-source workspace. Similar to Anytype and Obsidian, it gives you full control over your data thanks to its local-first architecture, offline access, and, plus, it offers self-hosting capabilities.
What makes AppFlowy especially effective as an alternative to OneNote is that it offers an easy-to-use experience while still supporting modern productivity workflows, including databases, task management, and AI features.
If you want an alternative to OneNote that doesn’t rely entirely on cloud-based proprietary software, AppFlowy is one of the most well-rounded open-source options currently available.
Explore our Apps directory
A curated directory of software tools we’ve independently reviewed, with links to full reviews, comparisons, and category guides.
Side-by-side comparisons of the top alternatives
If you are considering two OneNote alternatives and are not sure which one to try, check out our head-to-head comparison of these tools to make a decision easier.
Notion VS Coda
Xtiles VS Notion
Anytype VS Notion
Obsidian VS Anytype
Obsidian VS Xtiles
Obsidian VS Coda
Final Thoughts: Best Microsoft OneNote alternatives in 2026
OneNote is a decent note-taking app if you need a simple tool to capture your thoughts. However, if you need a more capable note-taking app, you will quickly hit its limitations.
Fortunately, there are many excellent OneNote alternatives available today, even for free.
Whether you want a visual note-taking app like Xtiles, an all-in-one workspace like Notion or Coda, a powerful knowledge management tool like Obsidian or Anytype, or an open-source alternative like AppFlowy, there is a capable option for almost every workflow and use case.
Overall, the best OneNote alternative depends on how you work, which features matter most to you, and whether you prioritize simplicity, flexibility, privacy, or in-depth note-taking.
Relating articles:
- Best 6 Notion Alternatives In 2026 | 100+ Personally Tested Tools
- 7 Best Note-Taking Apps For 2026 | +2 Years Personal Testing
I hope this guide helped you find the right alternative to OneNote. As always, I will keep updating this list to ensure it reflects the reality.
Looking for similar tools?
Visit the link to explore other apps we’ve reviewed in this space and how they compare.
Why you can trust our reviews
At thebusinessdive.com, our team tests, reviews, and compares hundreds of productivity apps every year — from project management tools to note-taking apps. We dive deep into real-world use cases to help you find the right tools that actually improve your workflow, not just add noise.
Our mission? No fluff, no shortcuts—just honest, hands-on insights from productivity pros.
Discover how we stay transparent, read our review methodology, and let us know about any tools we missed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to OneNote?
My best alternative to OneNote is Xtiles and Notion. Nevertheless, there are many additional fantastic OneNote alternatives. For example, Coda, Anytype, or Obsidian.
What is replacing OneNote?
It is still unclear whether Microsoft Loop will replace OneNote for note-taking. Loop is part of the Microsoft Office suite and has many exciting features.
Is there a Google alternative to OneNote?
Google Keep is an alternative to OneNote, which was developed by Google. It is a note-taking service included as part of the free, web-based Google Docs Editors.
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, may earn a small commission. Read the full privacy policy here.
Hey there! I am Aron, the founder of Thebusinessdive. I have been testing productivity apps for almost three years now. I reach 25.000 -50.000 people monthly with the mission to help you find the perfect productivity apps. Subscribe to my YouTube channel, newsletter, and social media to hear more about the best productivity tools. Let’s dive in!