Microsoft OneNote is one of the most popular note-taking tools, but it is primarily for Windows users, and limited functionality with Linux, macOS, Android, or iOS.
I am trying to use my Apple Pencil 2 on my iPad Pro 12.9 (series 3) to take notes in OneNote. I'm OneNote version 16.30.1 (the latest version from the App Store) and iPadOS 13.2. According to Microsoft, the functionality to double tap the pencil to with between writing and erasing should be supported in OneNote. On the Draw tab, at the far right of the ribbon, tap the Drawing Mode icon. Next, do any of the following: Turn on the Draw with Touch option to enable drawing with your finger. If this option is turned off, moving your finger across the screen will pan content on the current page in or out of view instead of drawing on the screen. To enable drawing or handwriting notes with a stylus, such as a Microsoft Surface Pen.
If OneNote isn’t your cup of tea, We’ve handpicked 11 alternatives to OneNote for you to choose. Let’s get right into first.
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1. Evernote
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Even if you’ve never used it, you’ve probably heard of Evernote. It is probably the most popular note-taking app today. And we pick it as the first and best alternative to OneNote.
Firstly, it offers the same basic functionality as OneNote – the ability to create, organize and sync notes among multiple platforms, including Windows PCs, Macs, iPads and iPhones, Windows Phones, Android devices and the web.
Then, Evernote has a handful of features that support collaboration. Among them, you can share any notebook by right-clicking on it and selecting “share notebook.” Input the email addresses of those with whom you want to share your notebook and select the type of access permissions you want to grant them: view, edit or edit and invite.
Finally, Evernote has a handy chat feature that can be used to discuss notes.
Related Post:Evernote vs OneNote: The Best App for Note-Taking in 2020
Pros:
- Offline access
- Syncing across multiple platforms and devices
- Quick to capture notes and thoughts
- Sharing capabilities
- Easy to use layout
Cons:
- Web application has limited features especially with respect to images.
- No option to record audio and video directly from Evernote.
Pricing: Evernote Basic- Free, Evernote Premium- $69.99/year, and Evernote Business- $14.99/user/month.
2. Notion
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Web
Notion is an all new task and project management tool which stands out different from the peers. It’s basically like a folder that contains everything you need such as documents, notes, tasks, wikis, database, and more to help you manage workload quite efficiently.
Pros:
- Allows flexible management of individual and team projects
- Easy on-boarding
- Provides for unrestricted access including offline
- Customizable and distraction free
Cons:
- Offline access is limited to only recently opened pages
- No handwriting support
Pricing: Notion has four pricing tiers—a Free plan, a Personal plan for $4 a month, a Team plan at $8 per member per month, and an Enterprise plan at $20 per member per month.
3. Google Keep
Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
Google Keep is similar to OneNote but with a simpler approach. It lets you take down short notes with just a basic title and your note content. You can also choose to add an image to a note and color code each note.
Pros:
- Create notes and lists, set time and place reminders, and check off your completed tasks.
- Add a collaborator to your notes and lists, then get things done together.
- Search notes by automagically created topics.
- Integrated with Gmail and Chrome to easily create notes
- Access your notes on any device – synced automatically to your phone, tablet, watch, and laptop.
Cons:
- Google Keep is best for short notes or short-term notes. But if you have a long list of notes, it might be unmanageable.
- It never notifies when some new notes are added to the shared list.
- You may notice some problems with syncing data between devices
Pricing: Free
4. Apple Notes
Platforms: iPhone/iPad/Mac
OneNote is default for Windows users. Similarly, as for Apple users, Apple Notes is the default option for them. Starting with Apple Notes, the software allows you to create multiple notebooks. You can create sub-notebooks inside it. When editing a note, you can choose from Title, Headings, Subheading, Monospaced, Bullet list, and Numbered list. Users can also integrate photos and documents inside a note.
Pros:
- Nativity with iOS
- Simple yet useful app
Cons:
- There is no way to tag;
Pricing: Free
5. Notability
Platforms: iOS, macOS, Android, Chrome, and Windows
Notability is a powerful note-taker to annotate documents, sketch ideas, record lectures, take notes and more. It combines, typing, handwriting, audio recording, and photos so you can create notes that fit your needs.
Pros:
- Audio recording
- Vertical and horizontal scrolling
- Change size and color of pen after it’s written
- Color picker tool, making it super easy to match your pens to your planner colors
- Can add gifs
- Syncs with iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox and works perfectly
Cons:
- Can’t select all pages or move multiple pages at once
- Can’t open 2 planners at once
- No conversion from handwriting to text
Pricing: $8.99 on iOS / $4.99 macOS/In-app purchases in the Notability shop.
6. GoodNotes
Platforms: iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices
GoodNotes is a note-taking app, but it’s nothing like note-taking apps you’re used to using. It isn’t meant to be used for typing (though you can type). It’s specifically designed as a handwriting app so you can use your Apple Pencil or another stylus. You can create sketches for presentation, annotate PDFs that you’ve imported, and even search all of your notes — handwritten, typed, or imported as a PDF. Here are dozens of paper styles, including lined paper in a variety of sizes, dotted paper, grids, column pages for accounting, and more.
Pros:
- Three custom pen colors always available and just one tap to switch between them
- Pictures inserted into the notes are able to be moved around
- The *NEW* unlimited organization of notebooks within folders
- THE SEARCH FEATURE!
Cons:
- The pages don’t auto-lock to the width of the screen.
- The developers do not let you decide the backup file format.
- There is no voice recording function.
Pricing: GoodNotes 5 costs $7.99. If you previously purchased a prior version of the app, there is a Complete My Bundle option that lets you just pay the difference between whatever you previously paid and $7.99.
7. Simplenote
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Simplenote is another good alternative to OneNote. It offers markdown support, cross-platform apps, and can be accessed through most web browsers. On Simplenote, users are permitted to record an almost unlimited number of text-based notes on the platform. Once the note has been composed, it can be pinned to the top of a list for immediate access.
Pros:
- Simple and clean UI
- Markdown support that allows users to write, preview, and publish notes
- Instant searching through tags
- Users are allowed to export data
- Collaborative features to work together
Cons:
- No reminder
- No social media integration
- Poor save-to-disk feature
Microsoft Onenote Apple Pencil
Pricing: Free
8. Zoho Notebook
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Zoho Notebook sets itself apart by allowing you to incorporate graphics, colors, and photos into your notes. If you’re a visual person, using these features to store your notes will help simplify the organization of your data. You can also add multiple types of media to your notes, including audio, checklists, and files.
Pros:
- Audio notes
- Cloud Syncing
- Pre-built checklist
- Completely free and ad-free
Cons:
- No text formatting
- Lacks some features like tag search
Pricing: Free
9. Bear
Platform: iOS, Mac, Apple Watch
This simple note-taking app was released in 2016 and has quickly become one of the most popular tools of its kind thanks to its simplicity and clean, intuitive UI. Also, It features powerful Markdown capability and an excellent writing experience.
Pros:
- Multiple themes and rich previews
- To-dos and Hashtags
- Focus mode
- Multiple export options
- Advanced Markup Editor
Cons: Office mac 2019 home and student download.
- No tabs, so you can view only one note at a time
- Only available for Apple devices
Pricing: Free or $1.49 monthly and $14.99 annually
10. Laverna
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Web Kontakt library maker mac download.
Laverna is a JavaScript note taking application with Markdown editor and encryption support.
Laverna’s main selling point is its focus on privacy. Your notes are never stored on the company’s servers. However, you can store your data on Dropbox or RemoteStorage if you want to sync across devices. It’s also possible to set a password that’ll encrypt your notes, too.
Onenote And Apple Pencil Compatible
Pros:
- All notes are written in Markdown with a live preview window
- It has three levels of organization; profiles, notebooks, and tags
- It has distraction-free editing mode
Cons:
- Cannot drag and drop images for upload
- A few bugs in the system
Pricing: Free
11. Turtl
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android
Turtl is a secure OneNote alternative. It lets you take notes, bookmark websites, and store documents for sensitive projects. From sharing passwords with your coworkers to tracking research on an article you’re writing, Turtl keeps it all safe from everyone but you and those you share with.
Pros:
- Turtl stores your info encrypted
- You can easily share boards of bookmarks & notes you can synch files & images it’s cross platform & free
Cons:
- Limited storage on its free plan
Pricing: Turtl has a free to use plan that allows you to store up to 50mb of data and it’s paid plans start at $3 a month.
Summary: Best OneNote Alternative
To wrap it up, there are many note-taking apps are better than OneNote for specific tasks you’re doing.
Evernote is still the top pick for most people who looking for a OneNote alternative. Its vast feature set ensures that it does everything well enough and has the fewest quirks
For Mac and iOS users, Apple Notes and Bear might be good OneNote alternatives.
If you focus on privacy and data security, Laverna and Turtl are good choices.
Finally, the true best OneNote alternative is the one that fits your needs.
So look, I’m just going to say it: I’m a caveman when I comes to taking notes and keeping track of to-dos. I can’t help it. Lord knows I’ve tried: Evernote, Apple Notes, OneNote, countless Apple Pencil-enabled note-taking apps, you name it. They just don’t work for me. And so I wind up with little spiral notepads, big spiral notepads, sticky notes, you name it. I’m a mess.
I can’t even bring myself to use to-do apps for the action items I’ve got.
I know, it’s disgusting.
I was complaining about this to a friend this past November, and was delighted when I got a Rocketbook from him for Christmas.
Now, I’ve looked at the “smart paper” notebooks before, and I can’t use them. I just need to write on actual paper. There’s just something about it. It’s informal, I can make little * and ✓ symbols everywhere, I can make columns in the middle of the page, I can draw → next to important stuff, you name it. I’m a very unstructured note-taker, apparently.
But Rocketbook is DUMB paper.
The schtick with Rocketbook is that the pages are made of, like, Tyvek or something. They’re waterproof and tear-resistant. You write on them using Frixion gel pens from Pilot, which are erasable, and you can just wipe off the entire page with a wet rag. And the notebooks come in a number of sizes; I’ve got the full 8.5×11 size, but they make a smaller “executive” size too. The version I got has lined pages, “calendar” pages, and “grid” pages, so you can do a variety of note-taking. They even make a version for people who use “Panda Planners,” although I’m not one of them.
But HERE is the REAL shtick.
At the bottom of each page are a series of symbols. In the Rocketbook mobile app, you connect each symbol to a “destination.” Then, when you’re taking notes, you mark off one symbol on that page.
The Rocketbook app is used to scan each page using your phone’s camera, and they have been SMART about it. The pages have a black border, which makes it easier for the app to get a solid scan. It looks at which symbol you’ve X’d out, and then processes the scan based on how you configured that symbol in the app.
So, for my work notes, I have them auto-send the scan as a PDF to my work address, with a specific date-based email subject. We use Gmail, so I filter those into a “DailyNotes” label/tag/folder/thing. I have it OCR the scan as best it can and embed the text into the body of the mail. BOOM! Searchable text right in Gmail! At the top of each page, I write a heading like ## 8-January-2021 ## and that becomes the name of the PDF (the ## is a Rocketbook header convention).
My new work routine:
- Every morning, start a new note on a fresh page.
- Scan the page of the day before.
- Transfer any outstanding to-dos onto the current day’s page.
- At the end of the week, wipe all the pages and start over.
I’ve linked a different symbol to my personal iCloud account, where I just have files go into a folder. That’s been great for notes on whatever novel I’m writing, design ideas for my new 3D printer, stuff like that. Inside the front cover is a little “directory” of which symbol I’ve assigned to what, so I can quickly refer if I’ve forgotten.
Onenote Apple Pencil To Text
BTW, Rocketbook CAN scan to Evernote, OneNote, and all kinds of other places, so it integrates well if you’re already a digital note-taker and want to make paper-writing a part of your life as well.
Ipad Pencil Onenote
Pilot makes Frixion pens in all kinds of colors, too, so I got one of those ones with four colors in a single pen, so I can use red to cross stuff out, green to check off “done” things, and black for general writing. I don’t like blue ink for some reason. I’m working that out.
Onenote Apple Pencil Ipad
Anyway, if you’re a similarly primitive note-taker like me, I can’t recommend this Rocketbook thing enough. Give it a look (the links I’ve included are to Amazon searches; remember to switch to Smile.Amazon.com to have your purchase benefit a charity like The DevOps Collective). Going into the new year, this has seriously changed what my desk looks like and how I’m organizing myself, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Onenote Apple Pencil Not Working
What’s your go-to note-taking solution?