vs
Microsoft OneNote vs Apple Notes
Microsoft OneNote scores higher overall (8.2 vs 7.9), but the right pick depends on what you need.
Choose Microsoft OneNote if…
Students and Microsoft 365 users who want free notes with optional Copilot
8.2/10★★★★★Full review →Choose Apple Notes if…
iPhone, iPad and Mac users who want simple, free notes with built-in AI
7.9/10★★★★★Full review →Side by side
| Microsoft OneNote | Apple Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 10 | #6 of 10 |
| Price | Freemium · from $9.99/month | Free |
| Free version | OneNote is free with 5GB of OneDrive storage | Free with 5GB of iCloud storage |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows | iOS, Mac, Web |
| Made by | Microsoft | Apple |
| Note quality | 7.5 | 7 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 9.5 |
| Features | 8 | 6.5 |
| Value for money | 8.5 | 10 |
| Platforms | 10 | 6 |
Microsoft OneNote: what the AI does
- Copilot in the OneNote desktop app (Microsoft 365)
- Copilot Notebooks for AI chat over your files
- Voice transcription
- Quick Capture of text, voice, ink or images
- Free app on every platform
- Excellent digital ink and freeform canvas
- Copilot comes with a Microsoft 365 plan many people already have
- Copilot requires a paid Microsoft 365 plan
- Freeform pages can get messy and feel corporate
Apple Notes: what the AI does
- Writing Tools to proofread, rewrite and adjust tone
- Image Wand turns sketches into images
- Audio recording with transcription
- Math in notes
- Free and already installed
- Seamless sync across Apple devices
- Handwriting with Apple Pencil
- No Android app; Apple-only apart from iCloud web
- AI features need a recent Apple Intelligence device
- Can't ask AI questions across your notes