Microsoft OneNote review

OneNote is the most underrated app on this list because many people already have it. Its notebooks, sections and pages give a familiar structure, and each page is a free-form canvas where typed text, images and digital ink sit side by side. That makes it one of the best options for students and anyone who writes with a pen on a touchscreen. You can sign up for free, and OneNote is available across desktop, mobile and the web. Copilot in OneNote, which drafts plans, lists and ideas from your prompts, comes with a paid Microsoft 365 plan: Personal costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, and Family $12.99 per month. The weaknesses show in search, tagging and export, which feel dated next to Notion or Obsidian, and Markdown users will be frustrated. For anyone already in Microsoft 365, OneNote is a strong default at no extra cost.

Who it is for

Microsoft 365 users, students and anyone who mixes typing with pen input.

Price

Sign up for free; Microsoft 365 Personal from $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.

Microsoft 365 Personal $9.99/month $99.99/year
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 4, 2026.

Key features

• Notebooks, sections and pages with free-form canvas
• Digital ink for sketching, annotating and highlighting
• Copilot in OneNote with Microsoft 365
• Sharing and collaboration on notebooks
• Mobile apps for iOS and Android

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free to sign up with a Microsoft account
• Strength: Excellent mix of typing and pen input
• Strength: Included in Microsoft 365 plans many people already pay for
• Weakness: Copilot features need a paid Microsoft 365 plan
• Weakness: Search and organization feel dated next to newer apps
• Weakness: Weak Markdown and export options

Key facts

• Free option: Sign up for free
• Microsoft 365 Family: $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year
• Free trial: 1 month of Microsoft 365

Where it ranks

Microsoft OneNote is No. 3 in our Best Note-Taking Apps verdict.