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Microsoft OneNote vs Capacities

Microsoft OneNote logo

Microsoft OneNote

Software

Free digital note-taking application for all devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Capacities logo

Capacities

Software

A studio for your mind with object-based notes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; Capacities pro plan pricing not prominently displayed on website
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Capacities covers Object-based notes.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft OneNote and Capacities actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft OneNote and Capacities differ
AttributeMicrosoft OneNoteCapacities
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, WindowsWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Founded19752020

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 OneNote

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

Only in Capacities

  • Object-based notes
  • Daily notes
  • Properties and relations
  • Graph view
  • AI assistant
  • Readwise
  • GDPR
  • German hosting

Both cover

  • Web clipper

What people use each for

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

Microsoft OneNote

  • Productivity
  • Collaboration
  • Task management
  • Organization

Capacities

  • 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.

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

Capacities

  • Pro plan pricing not prominently displayed on website
  • Smaller community and ecosystem compared to Notion or Obsidian
  • Limited third-party integration marketplace

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft OneNote

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

Capacities

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited spaces and objects
    • Device synchronization
    • Unlimited custom object types
  • Pro$10/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Unlimited notes
    • Advanced graph views
  • Believer$149.88/year
    • Everything in Pro
    • Beta access to new features

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.
Microsoft OneNote review

Choose Capacities if

  • You need object-based notes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want daily notes.
Capacities review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft OneNote or Capacities better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft OneNote starts at Free and Capacities at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft OneNote or Capacities?
Microsoft OneNote starts at Free and Capacities at Free.
Does Microsoft OneNote or Capacities run on more platforms?
Microsoft OneNote runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows. Capacities runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android.
Can I use Microsoft OneNote for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Microsoft OneNote best used for?
Microsoft OneNote is most often used for productivity, collaboration, task management, organization.
What can Microsoft OneNote do that Capacities cannot?
Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Rich text formatting, Drawing and handwriting, Image and file attachments. Capacities covers Object-based notes, Daily notes, Properties and relations, Graph view. Both handle Web clipper.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Capacities: What platforms does Capacities support?

Capacities is available on Web, Desktop (macOS, Windows, Linux), and Mobile (iOS, Android), allowing seamless work across devices.

Source
Capacities: Does Capacities have a free plan?

Yes, Capacities offers a free plan with unlimited spaces, objects, and blocks, device synchronization, unlimited custom object types, and 5GB media uploads total.

Source
Capacities: What AI features does Capacities include?

Capacities includes an AI Assistant available on Pro and higher plans for brainstorming, summarization, and contextual Q&A about your notes.

Source
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Related pages

More on Microsoft OneNote

More on Capacities

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