Software · head to head
Microsoft OneNote vs Microsoft 365
Microsoft OneNote
Software
Free digital note-taking application for all devices
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Microsoft 365
Software
Productivity apps with built-in AI, security and cloud storage in one plan
- 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; Microsoft 365 free web tier caps storage at 5GB; Basic tier is $1.99/month for only 100GB
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft OneNote and Microsoft 365 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft OneNote | Microsoft 365 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | freemium |
| Platforms | Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows | Web |
| Founded | 1975 | Unknown |
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
- Web clipper
- Cross-platform sync
- Collaboration and sharing
- Search functionality
Only in Microsoft 365
Nothing recorded that Microsoft OneNote does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Microsoft OneNote
- Productivitynot Microsoft 365
- Collaborationnot Microsoft 365
- Task managementnot Microsoft 365
- Organizationnot Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365
No use cases recorded yet. See the Microsoft 365 review.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft OneNote
Free- OneNoteFree
- Unlimited free notes
- Cross-device sync
- Collaboration
Microsoft 365
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft 365 review.
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 OneNote or Microsoft 365 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft OneNote starts at Free and Microsoft 365 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft OneNote or Microsoft 365?
- Microsoft OneNote starts at Free and Microsoft 365 at Free.
- Does Microsoft OneNote or Microsoft 365 run on more platforms?
- Microsoft OneNote runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows. Microsoft 365 runs on Web.
- 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. Of those, productivity and collaboration are not what Microsoft 365 is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft OneNote do that Microsoft 365 cannot?
- Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Rich text formatting, Drawing and handwriting, Image and file attachments.