Microsoft OneNote vs GoodNotes Comparison
Microsoft OneNote
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Microsoft One note - The Microsoft onenote is a powerful notetaking software for online collaboration. Users can always capture inspiration and organize thoughts with onenote, supported by a large selection of apps for m…
GoodNotes
Starting at $7.99
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
GoodNotes is the perfect app for taking hand-written notes on your iPad or iPhone. Our team created it to free users from the hassle of taking clear, legible, and reusable notes. It's helped millions of people, and Apple…
Microsoft OneNote leads on user satisfaction with a 4.2-star rating across 2,454 reviews.
Microsoft OneNote vs GoodNotes — at a glance
| Feature | Microsoft OneNote | GoodNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | — |
| Reviews | 2,454 | — |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $7.99 |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Note Taking Software | Note Taking Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 | — |
| Data residency | Global | US |
Key differences between Microsoft OneNote and GoodNotes
- Pricing: GoodNotes starts at $7.99. Microsoft OneNote pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Microsoft OneNote offers a free trial; GoodNotes does not.
- Deployment: Microsoft OneNote supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; GoodNotes supports Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac.
Microsoft OneNote vs GoodNotes — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Note Taking Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for collaborative teams needing seamless Microsoft Office integration.
- You require real-time collaboration with shared notebooks across devices.
- Your team uses Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 tools extensively.
- You need flexible organization of diverse data types and media.
- You need advanced note-taking features and extensive customization options.
- Your team depends on robust third-party integrations outside the Microsoft ecosystem.
Best for handwritten note-taking on iPad and iPhone with smooth, customizable writing.
- You need an intuitive app optimized for handwritten notes and handwriting recognition.
- You are a student, educator, or creative professional focused on personal productivity.
- You want a simple, streamlined setup without complex integrations or collaboration needs.
- Your team requires advanced collaboration and workflow automation features.
- You need extensive integrations with other enterprise software and app connectors.
Microsoft OneNote: Best for collaborative teams needing seamless Microsoft Office integration. GoodNotes: Best for handwritten note-taking on iPad and iPhone with smooth, customizable writing.
Description | Microsoft One note - The Microsoft onenote is a powerful notetaking software for online collaboration. Users can always capture inspiration and organize thoughts with onenote, supported by ... Read More about Microsoft OneNote | GoodNotes is the perfect app for taking hand-written notes on your iPad or iPhone. Our team created it to free users from the hassle of taking clear, legible, and reusable notes. It's ... Read More about GoodNotes |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
Free Trial Availability |
| |
Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | Small BusinessLarge Enterprises | Small BusinessMedium Business |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
|---|
Need a second opinion?
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.
How do Microsoft OneNote and GoodNotes Compare on Features?
Total Features | 5 Features | 4 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Microsoft OneNote and GoodNotes on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
Pricing Option | ||
|---|---|---|
Starting From |
|
|
Pricing Plans |
|
|
Pricing Page |  |  |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
API Support |
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✓ Yes | — |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
ISO 27001 | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🇺🇸 US |
Microsoft OneNote User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users generally appreciate OneNote’s integration and collaboration features but note limitations in advanced functionality and customization. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users consistently praise GoodNotes for its intuitive interface and excellent handwriting features, though some find the feature set overwhelming and desire more integrations. What buyers like
Common complaints
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  2 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  1 Videos |  2 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Microsoft OneNote and GoodNotes in 2026
Alternatives |
|---|
Add another option to compare side by side
Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.Compare similar software options
Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Microsoft OneNote or GoodNotes?
- Microsoft OneNote edges out the other on user ratings (4.2 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Microsoft OneNote and GoodNotes offer a free trial?
- Microsoft OneNote offers a free trial. GoodNotes does not.
- What is the starting price of Microsoft OneNote vs GoodNotes?
- Microsoft OneNote starts at Contact for pricing. GoodNotes starts at $7.99.
- What are the top alternatives to Microsoft OneNote?
- Top alternatives to Microsoft OneNote include Evernote, Zoho Notebook, Amanote, Notes.io, Google Keep.
- What are the top alternatives to GoodNotes?
- Top alternatives to GoodNotes include Evernote, Notes.io, Microsoft OneNote, UpNote, Notability.