Softwr

Software · head to head

Microsoft OneNote vs Focus@Will

Microsoft OneNote logo

Microsoft OneNote

Software

Free digital note-taking application for all devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Focus@Will logo

Focus@Will

Software

Music and sounds designed to enhance focus and productivity

From
Free
Rated
-

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; 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
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Focus@Will covers Curated focus music.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft OneNote and Focus@Will actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft OneNote and Focus@Will differ
AttributeMicrosoft OneNoteFocus@Will
Pricing modelfreefreemium
Founded19752011

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 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

Only in Focus@Will

  • Curated focus music
  • Multiple music channels
  • Built-in focus timer
  • Focus statistics
  • Different music genres
  • Offline access
  • Volume control

Both cover

  • Cross-platform sync

What people use each for

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

Microsoft OneNote

  • Productivity
  • Collaboration
  • Task management
  • Organization

Focus@Will

  • 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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft OneNote

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

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

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.

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.

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft OneNote or Focus@Will better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft OneNote starts at Free and Focus@Will at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft OneNote or Focus@Will?
Microsoft OneNote starts at Free and Focus@Will at Free.
Does Microsoft OneNote or Focus@Will 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 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 Focus@Will cannot?
Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Rich text formatting, Drawing and handwriting, Image and file attachments. Focus@Will covers Curated focus music, Multiple music channels, Built-in focus timer, Focus statistics. Both handle Cross-platform sync.

Related pages

Other head to heads