Table of Content

10 Best OneNote Alternatives for Smart Note-taking In 2025.

Last Updated: May 22, 2025By Shiv Kapoor

Quick Summary:

Many OneNote users struggle with limited formatting flexibility, a cluttered interface, inconsistent sync across platforms, and a lack of advanced task management.

In this article, you will explore the 10 best apps like OneNote that can:

Sync seamlessly across Android, Windows, and other devices.
Offer cleaner, distraction-free writing interfaces.
Support better organization with tags, folders, and templates.
Combine AI note-taking with task and project management.
Enable real-time collaboration and sharing options.

Tired of using OneNote? You’re not the only one. A Lot of people have spent hours trying different apps just to find something that doesn’t crash out of nowhere, and lets you organize notes your way.

Most alternatives either look like they were made in 2003, cost more than they’re worth, or worse, oversimplify everything to the point where you can’t build real notes.

You want something local, reliable, free, and built for note-takers who need more than just digital sticky notes. A proper OneNote replacement should feel smooth on Windows, maybe even sync with your phone, and not constantly remind you why you left OneNote in the first place.

This list puts together 10 best OneNote alternatives that go beyond basic note-taking. Our writers have researched, tested, and dug into each one so you can make an informed choice.

Here’s a List of the 10 Best OneNote Alternatives to Look Out For

Alternatives to OneNote	Best For
Nifty	Managing project notes that turn directly into actionable tasks and timelines.
GoodNotes	Handwritten notes and sketching ideas when you want a paper-like feel with digital perks.
Milanote	Organizing visual thinkers who like pinboards, moodboards, and creative layout options.
Google Keep	Quick voice memos, checklist-style notes, and reminders on the go.
Notability	Combining handwritten and typed notes in lectures, meetings, and brainstorming sessions.
Simplenote	Minimalist note-taking without the clutter, with distraction-free writing and quick ideas.
Obsidian	Building deep, linked knowledge bases using Markdown and internal backlinks.
Evernote	Capturing everything in one place, such as web clippings, PDFs, docs, and longform notes.
Asana	Tying notes directly to task tracking, workflows, and team updates.
Notejoy	Real-time collaborative note-taking for teams that need shared knowledge and updates.

Why Do You Need Alternatives to OneNote?

Here are some reasons why you may need to look for OneNote alternatives beyond the basic in 2025!

Reason #1: Sync Issues

OneNote does a lot, but it also gets in its own way. The layout can feel all over the place, and finding what you need sometimes takes more clicks than it should. It plays nice with other Microsoft apps, sure, but the moment you try to use it outside that bubble, things start to fall apart. Sync issues, awkward sharing, weird formatting—stuff that shouldn’t be a problem in 2025. These limitations often lead users to consider replacing OneNote with more modern, collaborative tools that better meet their specific needs.

Reason #2: Your Workflow Has Changed

People also work differently now. You’re probably juggling work across all your devices, needing fast access on your phone, laptop, maybe even a tablet. You might just want something lighter, cleaner, faster—or something your whole team can use easily. OneNote doesn’t always keep up. That’s why more people are ditching it for tools that actually work how they work.

Reason #3: OneNote Pricing is a Big Problem

Although OneNote is technically free, it comes with strings: You can download it and start using it for free, but you’re locked into Microsoft’s ecosystem. Want to sync across devices? That pulls you into OneDrive.

Need more storage? You’ll need to upgrade your Microsoft 365 plan. And if you’re using it as part of a business or team setup, you’re most likely already paying for Microsoft 365 anyway—even if you don’t touch the other apps in the Microsoft Office suite. So while OneNote feels free at first, it’s really bundled into a bigger system. And if you’re not using most of that system, you’re probably overpaying.

The verdict:* Better note apps are out there. You just have to know where to look.*

Key Features to Consider

When selecting a note-taking app, there are several key features to consider. These include advanced features like robust formatting options, the ability to combine notes and create notebooks, and project management tools. Additionally, users should look for apps that offer a free version, end-to-end encryption, and cross-platform compatibility. Other essential features include the ability to edit notes, create to-do lists, and link notes together. By considering these features, users can find the best note-taking app that suits their needs and enhances their note-taking experience.

Here Are the 10 Best OneNote Alternatives in 2025

1. Nifty – Best For Turning Notes Into Tasks

For project teams, the sad reality is that notes often end up lost in a forgotten document somewhere.

But in Nifty, your notes become part of your work:

You can take meeting notes and instantly turn them into task lists.
You can brainstorm campaign ideas in a document and link them straight to a timeline.
If someone drops a comment during a call, you can write it down and assign it for follow-up.

Basically, every note lives inside the project it belongs to. That means you don’t have to search through folders or wonder where your last idea went. Your ideas stay in context, right next to the work that brings them to life.

Key Features:

Create Project-Wide Notes, Always in Context – Thanks to Nifty Docs

Use it for: Meeting notes, client briefs, brainstorming sessions, SOPs, creative concepts, internal guides, campaign planning, product feature breakdowns, onboarding documents, sprint overviews, etc.

Nifty combines notes and databases, allowing you to create rich text documents (aka notes) directly inside each project. You can view the milestones, tasks, timelines, and comments altogether.

These notes support bold, lists, links, images, and even checkboxes for lightweight task tracking.

Turn Notes into Tasks

Use it for: Team check-ins, assigning follow-ups, client action items, and next steps after a review session

Highlight part of your note, convert it into a task, assign it, set a deadline, and move on. You don’t need to copy anything over or switch between six different tools.

Access Web Notes with One Click with the Chrome Extension

Use it for: Research, competitor analysis, article references, social media post ideas, and visual inspiration

Clip content from any webpage using the Chrome extension and save it directly to a project as a note or a task. You can then add it to a doc, a comment thread, or a milestone.

Drive Real-Time Collaborative Editing

Use it for: Team brainstorms, shared agendas, content calendars, design feedback summaries

Multiple people can write, edit, and comment on a doc together. Everyone sees changes live, and edits are auto-saved. You can tag people, start a discussion, and link out to specific tasks.

Add Comments in Notes with Discussions

Use it for: Document reviews, status updates, back-and-forth on strategy or wording

Every doc has a built-in comment thread. You can leave feedback, ask questions, tag teammates, and keep conversations tied to specific sections of a note.

Pricing:

Free Forever
Personal: $7/member/month
Pro: $10/member/month
Business: $16/member/month
Enterprise: Contact sales

Reviews:

The interface is slick and easy on which to train new staff. My team likes the workload aspects, and keeping the conversation alongside the task makes for a better experience in keeping the discussion on topic. The file management is done cleanly and having the ability to add custom fields to a client’s task makes it simple to extend Nifty’s functionality on a per-client basis for us.

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2. GoodNotes

GoodNotes is built for those who think better on digital paper. Whether you’re managing a project, capturing meeting notes, or sketching out ideas, it stays out of your way and lets you focus.