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7-Zip vs Microsoft OneNote

7-Zip logo

7-Zip

Software

Free and open-source file archiver with high compression and strong encryption

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft OneNote logo

Microsoft OneNote

Software

Free digital note-taking application for all devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 7-Zip windows-centric GUI design; native graphical interface is Windows-only, with no first-class macOS or Linux GUI applications provided; Microsoft OneNote full-featured OneNote requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription (from $9.99 per month for Personal); the standalone free version is web and mobile only

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 7-Zip and Microsoft OneNote actually diverge.

Attributes where 7-Zip and Microsoft OneNote differ
Attribute7-ZipMicrosoft OneNote
Pricing modelopen-sourcefree
PlatformsWindows, Linux, macOSWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows
FoundedUnknown1975

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 7-Zip

Nothing recorded that Microsoft OneNote does not also cover.

Only in Microsoft OneNote

  • Digital notebook with sections and pages
  • Rich text formatting
  • Drawing and handwriting
  • Image and file attachments
  • Web clipper
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Collaboration and sharing
  • Search functionality

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

7-Zip

  • Creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisationnot Microsoft OneNote
  • Distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive toolsnot Microsoft OneNote
  • Unpacking diverse archive formats (RAR, ISO, DMG) without purchasing separate toolsnot Microsoft OneNote
  • CI/CD automation via command-line compression and extractionnot Microsoft OneNote
  • Encrypting sensitive files with AES-256 for secure transmissionnot Microsoft OneNote
  • Restoring archived VirtualBox and VMware disk imagesnot Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote

  • Productivitynot 7-Zip
  • Collaborationnot 7-Zip
  • Task managementnot 7-Zip
  • Organizationnot 7-Zip

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

7-Zip

  • Windows-centric GUI design; native graphical interface is Windows-only, with no first-class macOS or Linux GUI applications provided
  • Linux and macOS support primarily through command-line tools; no native file manager integration on these platforms
  • User interface design is dated compared to modern alternatives; visual feedback and UX polish lag behind commercial archivers
  • ARM64 support limited to Windows; no ARM64 build for Linux or macOS despite growing ARM adoption
  • No built-in cloud storage integration or synchronisation; cannot extract directly to Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive

Microsoft OneNote

  • Full-featured OneNote requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription (from $9.99 per month for Personal); the standalone free version is web and mobile only

Pricing, plan by plan

7-Zip

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the 7-Zip review.

Microsoft OneNote

Free
  • OneNoteFree
    • Unlimited free notes
    • Cross-device sync
    • Collaboration

Which should you pick?

Choose 7-Zip if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, macOS.
7-Zip review

Choose Microsoft OneNote if

  • You need digital notebook with sections and pages.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
  • You also want rich text formatting.
Microsoft OneNote review

Questions people ask

Is 7-Zip or Microsoft OneNote better?
Neither clearly leads. 7-Zip starts at Free and Microsoft OneNote at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 7-Zip or Microsoft OneNote?
7-Zip starts at Free and Microsoft OneNote at Free.
Does 7-Zip or Microsoft OneNote run on more platforms?
7-Zip runs on Windows, Linux, macOS. Microsoft OneNote runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
Can I use 7-Zip for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is 7-Zip best used for?
7-Zip is most often used for creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisation, distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive tools, unpacking diverse archive formats (rar, iso, dmg) without purchasing separate tools, ci/cd automation via command-line compression and extraction. Of those, creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisation and distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive tools are not what Microsoft OneNote is typically brought in for.
What can 7-Zip do that Microsoft OneNote cannot?
Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Rich text formatting, Drawing and handwriting, Image and file attachments.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

7-Zip: Is 7-Zip free to use commercially?

Yes. 7-Zip is licensed under GNU LGPL with BSD 3-clause portions, permitting commercial and personal use without fees, registration, or restrictions.

Source
7-Zip: What file formats does 7-Zip support?

7-Zip natively creates 7z archives and supports packing/unpacking ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, TAR, and WIM. It can unpack 30+ additional formats including RAR, ISO, DMG, and VirtualBox disk images without requiring external tools.

Source
7-Zip: Does 7-Zip work on macOS and Linux?

Yes. 7-Zip operates on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Graphical interfaces are optimised for Windows; Linux and macOS primarily use command-line tools. Port and third-party GUI applications extend functionality on these platforms.

Source
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Related pages

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