Notion vs OneNote (2025): Which Note Tool Is Better?

Notion vs OneNote at a Glance

Feature	Notion	OneNote
Free Plan	Yes Yes	Yes Yes
Databases	Powerful Powerful	No No
Real-time Collaboration	Yes Yes	Limited Limited
Mobile Apps	iOS & Android iOS & Android	Yes Yes
API Access	Yes Yes	Yes Yes
Templates	10,000+ 10,000+	Varies Varies

Quick Verdict

Overview

Notion and OneNote are both excellent tools, but they serve different needs. undefined

Key Differences

The main difference between Notion and OneNote comes down to focus and features. Notion offers a comprehensive solution while OneNote excels in specific areas.

OneNote Strengths

Free with Microsoft account
Excellent handwriting support
Deep Microsoft integration
Good for students
Flexible canvas

OneNote Weaknesses

No database features
Less organized structure
Syncing can be slow
Not great for collaboration
Interface feels dated

Pricing Comparison

OneNote pricing: undefined. No free tier available.

Who Is OneNote Best For?

Microsoft ecosystem users, students, handwritten notes

Our Verdict

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Why Choose Notion?

Offline Access

View and edit cached pages even without internet. Changes sync automatically when you're back online.

Custom Domains

Publish public pages with your own custom domain. Perfect for documentation sites, portfolios, and more.

Advanced Permissions

Control access at the workspace, page, or database level. Share with specific people, teams, or make content public.

Real-Time Collaboration

Work together with your team in real-time. See who's editing, leave comments, and @mention teammates.

Who Should Choose Notion?

You need an all-in-one workspace for notes, docs, and projects
You want powerful databases and custom views
Team collaboration is important to you
You prefer a generous free tier
You value flexibility and customization

Who Should Choose OneNote?

You value free with microsoft account
You value excellent handwriting support
You value deep microsoft integration
You value good for students
You value flexible canvas

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Notion AI work? +

Notion AI is an add-on feature ($8/member/month) that helps you write, edit, summarize, and brainstorm. You can ask AI to draft content, improve writing, translate text, explain concepts, or generate action items. It works within any Notion page.

Does Notion have a mobile app? +

Yes, Notion has native apps for iOS and Android that sync with web and desktop. The mobile apps support most features including editing, creating pages, and accessing databases. Some advanced features work better on desktop due to screen size.

How do Notion databases work? +

Notion databases are powerful spreadsheet-like collections that can be viewed as tables, kanban boards, calendars, galleries, timelines, or lists. Each item (row) is also a page that can contain any content. Databases support relations, rollups, formulas, and filters.

Is Notion good for project management? +

Yes, Notion is excellent for project management with databases, kanban boards, timelines, and task tracking. It's more flexible than dedicated PM tools but requires more setup. For strict PM workflows, tools like Asana or Monday might be better. Notion shines when you need PM plus documentation.

Can I use Notion offline? +

Notion has limited offline support. You can view and edit recently accessed pages that are cached on your device. However, for full functionality and syncing, you need an internet connection. If offline access is critical, consider tools like Obsidian that work fully offline.

Notion vs OneNote: Microsoft vs All-in-One Workspace 2025