Software · head to head
Microsoft 365 vs Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft 365
Software
Productivity apps with built-in AI, security and cloud storage in one plan
- 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: Microsoft 365 free web tier caps storage at 5GB; Basic tier is $1.99/month for only 100GB; 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 Microsoft 365 and Microsoft OneNote actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft 365 | Microsoft OneNote |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Web | Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows |
| Founded | Unknown | 1975 |
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 Microsoft 365
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.
Microsoft 365
No use cases recorded yet. See the Microsoft 365 review.
Microsoft OneNote
- Productivitynot Microsoft 365
- Collaborationnot Microsoft 365
- Task managementnot Microsoft 365
- Organizationnot Microsoft 365
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Microsoft 365
- Free web tier caps storage at 5GB; Basic tier is $1.99/month for only 100GB
- Family plan tops out at 6 people and AI features cannot be shared across family members even on paid plans
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
Microsoft 365
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft 365 review.
Microsoft OneNote
Free- OneNoteFree
- Unlimited free notes
- Cross-device sync
- Collaboration
Which should you pick?
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 Microsoft 365 or Microsoft OneNote better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft 365 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, Microsoft 365 or Microsoft OneNote?
- Microsoft 365 starts at Free and Microsoft OneNote at Free.
- Does Microsoft 365 or Microsoft OneNote run on more platforms?
- Microsoft 365 runs on Web. Microsoft OneNote runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
- Can I use Microsoft 365 for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What can Microsoft 365 do that Microsoft OneNote cannot?
- Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Rich text formatting, Drawing and handwriting, Image and file attachments.