NEWJoin 1M+ SaaS Professionals|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe Free →

Spotsaas logo

Microsoft OneNote vs Notability Comparison

Last updated:

Microsoft OneNote

4.2(2,454 reviews)

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…

Notability

4.6(31 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Medium Business

Experience a new level of convenience and efficiency with Notability. Our all-in-one note-taking app allows you to seamlessly combine handwriting, photos, and typing in one place, bringing your projects to life. With a w…

Notability leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 31 reviews.

Microsoft OneNote vs Notability — at a glance

FeatureMicrosoft OneNoteNotability
Rating4.2 / 54.6 / 5
Reviews2,45431
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial Yes No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryNote Taking SoftwareNote Taking Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac
API
Support modesOnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalUS

Key differences between Microsoft OneNote and Notability

  • Free trial: Microsoft OneNote offers a free trial; Notability does not.
  • Target audience: Microsoft OneNote is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Notability targets Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: Notability scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
  • Deployment: Microsoft OneNote supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Notability supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac.

Microsoft OneNote vs Notability — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

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.

Microsoft OneNote - Note Taking Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Notability - Note Taking Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Microsoft OneNote

Best for collaborative teams needing seamless Microsoft Office integration.

Choose if
  • 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.
Consider alternatives if
  • You need advanced note-taking features and extensive customization options.
  • Your team depends on robust third-party integrations outside the Microsoft ecosystem.

Notability

Best for

Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business, Small Business

Microsoft OneNote typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Notability tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

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

Experience a new level of convenience and efficiency with Notability. Our all-in-one note-taking app allows you to seamlessly combine handwriting, photos, and typing in one place, bringing ... Read More about Notability

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

8.6/10

8.2/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.6

(31)

Best Company Size

Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
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 Notability Compare on Features?

Total Features

5 Features

3 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Microsoft OneNote and Notability 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

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Microsoft OneNote pricing

      Pricing information not available

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      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

      Rating Distribution

      1288

      421

      83

      26

      12

      31

      8

      1

      0

      0

      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

      • Integration with Microsoft Office
      • Collaboration and real-time editing
      • Ease of note organization

      Common complaints

      • Limited advanced features
      • Formatting and customization difficulties

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 40 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Combines handwriting and typing
      • PDF annotation
      • User-friendly design

      Common complaints

      • Limited to Apple devices
      • Subscription model may deter some
      • Can be resource-intensive

      Pros and Cons

      • Seamless integration with Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 tools

      • Real-time collaboration through shared notebooks

      • Versatile organization of various data types and media

      • Inconsistent advanced functionality across platforms

      • Challenging formatting and customization for new users

      • Versatile note-taking options

      • Seamless PDF annotation

      • Strong organizational features

      • Limited to Apple ecosystem

      • Subscription costs may add up

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Media and Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Microsoft OneNote and Notability in 2026

      Expand your shortlist

      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 Notability?
      Notability edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Microsoft OneNote and Notability offer a free trial?
      Microsoft OneNote offers a free trial. Notability does not.
      What is the starting price of Microsoft OneNote vs Notability?
      Microsoft OneNote starts at Contact for pricing. Notability starts at Contact for pricing.
      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 Notability?
      Top alternatives to Notability include Evernote, Notes.io, Microsoft OneNote, UpNote, Easynote.

      Grow your pipeline with buyers who are already looking for you

      254,000+ buyers use Spotsaas every month to evaluate and shortlist software. Get in front of them — for free, or with a managed growth plan built around your category.