OneNote Free: Is Microsoft's Note-Taking App Worth It?

OneNote: Now Available as a Free Application

Microsoft's OneNote has transitioned to a free service. Previously, this note-taking application was exclusive to Windows and bundled with the Office suite.

It has now been released as a free, cross-platform application, accessible on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and through web browsers.

This move positions OneNote as a direct competitor to Evernote within the free note-taking market.

Key Features and Benefits

OneNote has consistently been a highly regarded and popular application among users. Its appeal is now broadened by its free availability and platform independence.

Regardless of your operating system preference, OneNote presents a viable and attractive solution for your note-taking needs.

Compared to Evernote, OneNote boasts a more extensive feature set.

Furthermore, it provides enhanced support for styluses and handwriting, making it ideal for users who prefer these input methods.

Platform Accessibility

• Windows: Continue to enjoy OneNote as a desktop application.
• Mac: Access OneNote on macOS devices.
• Android & iOS: Utilize OneNote on your mobile devices.
• Web: Access your notes from any browser.

The widespread availability across these platforms ensures that users can seamlessly access and manage their notes from virtually any device.

Understanding OneNote

OneNote provides a system for organizing information through a hierarchical structure. Users can establish multiple notebooks, each subdivided into sections, and further broken down into individual pages.

Collaboration is a key feature, as these notebooks can be readily shared with others, facilitating seamless teamwork on notes and projects.

The complimentary version of OneNote utilizes Microsoft's cloud storage solution, OneDrive (previously SkyDrive), to store user data. Notes created on a personal computer become accessible across a range of devices.

This includes smartphones, tablets, other computers, and web browsers, ensuring consistent access to information regardless of location.

OneNote’s capabilities extend far beyond simple text-based notes. It supports the inclusion of diverse content types within documents.

Versatile Content Integration

• To-do lists can be incorporated for task management.
• Images can be added for visual reference.
• Drawings and sketches can be created directly within the application.
• Files, videos, and audio recordings can be embedded.
• Scanned documents can be integrated.
• Links to external resources can be included.
• Mathematical equations and symbols are also supported.

For users with a tablet and stylus, OneNote enables handwritten notes and drawings directly onto the pages.

A OneNote Clipper is now available as a browser extension for all major web browsers. This tool simplifies the process of saving content from web pages directly into your OneNote notebooks.

While the full interface offers extensive features, it can sometimes feel complex for quick note-taking. A Quick Note shortcut addresses this concern.

Pressing the Windows Key + N (or simply N again after the initial prompt) on Windows instantly opens a window for capturing brief notes, which are then saved to the Quick Notes section.

Platform Compatibility

Contrary to potential assumptions, Microsoft Office applications aren't restricted solely to Windows and macOS operating systems. Microsoft has developed a comprehensive suite of applications for OneNote.

These applications are available across a wide range of platforms, including Windows desktop, Windows 8, Windows Phone, Mac OS X, Android, iPad, iPhone, and through a web browser.

Available OneNote Apps

• Windows Desktop
• Windows 8
• Windows Phone
• Mac OS X
• Android
• iPad
• iPhone
• Web Browser

Currently, dedicated applications for Chrome OS or Linux desktop environments are not available. However, OneNote is still accessible on Chromebooks and Linux systems via its web-based interface.

Is OneNote Truly Free of Charge?

Related: Distinguishing Office 365 from Office 2016.

Similar to platforms like Evernote, OneNote doesn't offer complete functionality without cost. Microsoft reserves certain capabilities for its Office 365 Home Premium subscription, priced at $9.99 monthly.

The subscription-based OneNote version provides support for notebooks stored locally on your computer’s hard drive – a feature absent in the free edition, which relies on OneDrive for storage. Furthermore, it enables simultaneous recording of video and audio alongside your notes, and maintains a comprehensive version history.

Integration with Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive for Business is also exclusive to the paid version. These enhanced features primarily cater to the needs of professional users.

While offline note creation isn’t possible, OneNote synchronizes notes saved on your OneDrive account, allowing continued access even without an internet connection.

OneNote and Evernote: A Comparison

Many individuals exploring note-taking solutions, such as OneNote, are often already familiar with Evernote or similar applications.

OneNote distinguishes itself as a more comprehensive and feature-rich application when contrasted with Evernote. It provides functionalities absent in Evernote, notably the ability to seamlessly embed diverse multimedia files directly within a note.

Multimedia and Input Methods

In Evernote, these files typically require attachment as separate files. For users who prefer handwritten note-taking – perhaps utilizing a stylus with a Windows tablet or iPad – OneNote stands out as the superior choice for handling such input.

The editing environment within OneNote closely resembles that of Microsoft Word, offering a familiar experience.

Interface and Note Focus

Evernote, conversely, presents a simpler, more streamlined interface geared towards editing text-based notes. While images and formatting are supported, the range of content types is more limited compared to OneNote.

The preferred interface often depends on the nature of the notes being created; some users may find Evernote’s minimalism more appealing than OneNote’s extensive features.

Synchronization and Reliability

OneNote offers instantaneous synchronization of notes and modifications. However, the desktop versions of Evernote synchronize only every 15 minutes.

Recent criticisms have been directed towards Evernote’s synchronization features, citing concerns regarding their reliability.

Switching Between Applications

It is recommended to evaluate OneNote to determine its suitability. Many may find it a preferable alternative to Evernote.

While direct import of Evernote notes into OneNote isn't possible, tools such as Evernote2OneNote facilitate the transfer process.

Should a return to Evernote be desired, OneNote allows for note export, and Evernote can directly import OneNote files.

Final Thoughts

OneNote is a robust and dependable application. Existing Evernote users may be hesitant to abandon their current system and undergo a transition.

Nevertheless, anyone seeking a powerful, fully-featured note-taking application should seriously consider exploring OneNote.