Software · head to head
Focus@Will vs Microsoft OneNote

Focus@Will
Software
Music and sounds designed to enhance focus and productivity
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -

Microsoft OneNote
Software
Free digital note-taking application for all devices
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Focus@Will the App Store listing (seller Dulcetta Inc) states the free trial is limited to 7 days, after which a paid subscription is required to continue using the music and features; 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
- They diverge on capability: Focus@Will covers Curated focus music, Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Focus@Will and Microsoft OneNote actually diverge.
| Attribute | Focus@Will | Microsoft OneNote |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Founded | 2011 | 1975 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows), 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 Focus@Will
- Curated focus music
- Multiple music channels
- Built-in focus timer
- Focus statistics
- Different music genres
- Offline access
- Volume control
Only in Microsoft OneNote
- Digital notebook with sections and pages
- Rich text formatting
- Drawing and handwriting
- Image and file attachments
- Web clipper
- Collaboration and sharing
- Search functionality
Both cover
- Cross-platform sync
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Focus@Will
- Productivity
- Collaboration
- Task management
- Organization
Microsoft OneNote
- Productivity
- Collaboration
- Task management
- Organization
Both are used for productivity, collaboration, task management, organization, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Focus@Will
- The App Store listing (seller Dulcetta Inc) states the free trial is limited to 7 days, after which a paid subscription is required to continue using the music and features
- The same listing states a 30 day money-back guarantee applies to the subscription, implying no refund is available after that window
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
Focus@Will
Free- FreeFree
- Limited access to music
- Basic 25-min timer
- Ads
- Basic$4.95/month
- Unlimited music access
- Custom timers
- No ads
- Pro$9.95/month
- Everything in Basic
- Advanced analytics
- Priority support
Microsoft OneNote
Free- OneNoteFree
- Unlimited free notes
- Cross-device sync
- Collaboration
Which should you pick?
Choose Focus@Will if
- You need curated focus music.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
- You also want multiple music channels.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Focus@Will or Microsoft OneNote better?
- Neither clearly leads. Focus@Will 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, Focus@Will or Microsoft OneNote?
- Focus@Will starts at Free and Microsoft OneNote at Free.
- Does Focus@Will or Microsoft OneNote run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Focus@Will for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Focus@Will best used for?
- Focus@Will is most often used for productivity, collaboration, task management, organization.
- What can Focus@Will do that Microsoft OneNote cannot?
- Focus@Will covers Curated focus music, Multiple music channels, Built-in focus timer, Focus statistics. Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Rich text formatting, Drawing and handwriting, Image and file attachments. Both handle Cross-platform sync.
Related pages
More on Microsoft OneNote
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