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OmniFocus 3 vs Microsoft OneNote

OmniFocus 3 logo

OmniFocus 3

Software

Professional task management for complex workflows

From
$39.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft OneNote logo

Microsoft OneNote

Software

Free digital note-taking application for all devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft OneNote has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: OmniFocus 3 apple platforms only apart from the web client: macOS 14, iOS or iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 or visionOS 2 and newer are required, with no Windows or Android app; 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: OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OmniFocus 3 and Microsoft OneNote actually diverge.

Attributes where OmniFocus 3 and Microsoft OneNote differ
AttributeOmniFocus 3Microsoft OneNote
Starting price$39.99/yearFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, WebWeb, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows
Founded19931975

Identical on both: 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 OmniFocus 3

  • GTD-based task organization
  • Projects and subprojects
  • Contexts and tags
  • Custom perspectives
  • Automation
  • Quick entry
  • Sync across devices
  • Deferred and due dates

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.

OmniFocus 3

  • Getting Things Done style task and project management on Apple devicesnot Microsoft OneNote
  • Capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cyclesnot Microsoft OneNote
  • Syncing a personal task database across Mac, iPhone, iPad and Watchnot Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote

  • Productivitynot OmniFocus 3
  • Collaborationnot OmniFocus 3
  • Task managementnot OmniFocus 3
  • Organizationnot OmniFocus 3

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

OmniFocus 3

  • Apple platforms only apart from the web client: macOS 14, iOS or iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 or visionOS 2 and newer are required, with no Windows or Android app
  • Web access is not included with a perpetual licence and costs an extra $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year
  • The Pro perpetual licence costs $149.99 against $74.99 for Standard
  • Future major upgrades are a paid discount rather than free for perpetual licence holders
  • The $99.99 per year subscription is the only option that bundles Pro plus web access

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

OmniFocus 3

$39.99/year
  • Standard$39.99/year
    • Mac and iOS apps
    • Cloud sync
    • Core features
  • Pro$99.99/year
    • Everything in Standard
    • Advanced automation
    • Perspective management

Microsoft OneNote

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

Which should you pick?

Choose OmniFocus 3 if

  • You need gtd-based task organization.
  • You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web.
  • You also want projects and subprojects.
OmniFocus 3 review

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

Questions people ask

Is OmniFocus 3 or Microsoft OneNote better?
Neither clearly leads. OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year and Microsoft OneNote at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OmniFocus 3 or Microsoft OneNote?
Microsoft OneNote has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $39.99/year for OmniFocus 3 and Free for Microsoft OneNote.
Does OmniFocus 3 or Microsoft OneNote run on more platforms?
OmniFocus 3 runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web. Microsoft OneNote runs on Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows.
Can I use Microsoft OneNote for free?
Yes. Microsoft OneNote has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year.
What is OmniFocus 3 best used for?
OmniFocus 3 is most often used for getting things done style task and project management on apple devices, capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cycles, syncing a personal task database across mac, iphone, ipad and watch. Of those, getting things done style task and project management on apple devices and capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cycles are not what Microsoft OneNote is typically brought in for.
What can OmniFocus 3 do that Microsoft OneNote cannot?
OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Projects and subprojects, Contexts and tags, Custom perspectives. Microsoft OneNote covers Digital notebook with sections and pages, Rich text formatting, Drawing and handwriting, Image and file attachments.
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