If you’re on the search for the best note-taking application for you, this Notion vs OneNote guide is perfect for you!
It can take several hours when you’re trying to research the best applications to use for the upcoming school year. Note-taking is a crucial aspect of productivity, however, with so many note-taking systems available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one that meets your needs. Two popular options that you may have heard of are Notion and OneNote with both tools offering powerful features that can help you stay organized and productive. But which one is the best fit for you?
This post will include a detailed overview of each tool, a comparison of their features, the pros & cons of each, and examples of how to use both!
Table of Contents
Overview of Notion & OneNote
Notion and OneNote are both digital note-taking systems that allow users to capture, organize, and share their ideas and notes. Here’s a brief overview of each tool:
Notion
Notion is a web-based software that is block-based and allows you to manage projects, take notes, create a to-do list, form databases, etc. It can be used on all your devices as a website or app.
Notion’s structure reminds me of Tetris because the platform is extremely customizable and provides you with the building blocks to stack different features on top of each other. The “blocks” include text, images, code, etc. It really does have endless possibilities and I use Notion every single day.
Other features include embedding Google Drive files, integrating GitHub gist, breadcrumbs, creating a table of contents, and more. Notion also offers robust collaboration features, allowing users to share their notes and collaborate with team members in real-time. Additionally, Notion has a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to access their notes on the go.
OneNote
Microsoft’s OneNote is specifically designed for note-taking. It allows you to capture your text and images in one place and can be used on all your devices as a downloadable app. It’s designed to mimic the experience of writing on paper, allowing users to capture handwritten notes, draw sketches, and add images and other multimedia content to their notes.
Once you open up a new page in OneNote you are provided with a blank page that you can use for all your note-taking desires. It allows you to create headings 1-6, choose your own fonts, highlight text, create tables, insert images/photos/audio/videos, create a to-do list, insert shapes, sketch, etc.
OneNote has a note-book styled interface where you can create notebooks, sections, & pages to organize your notes.
OneNote also offers robust collaboration features, allowing users to share their notes and collaborate with team members in real-time. Additionally, OneNote has a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, allowing users to access their notes on the go.
Comparison of Notion vs OneNote
User Interface and Design
Notion has a sleek, modern design that’s easy to navigate. It uses a block-based system, which means that you can add different types of content (text, images, videos, etc.) and arrange them in various layouts.
OneNote has a notebook-styled interface that mimics the experience of writing on paper. Users can create notebooks, sections, and pages to organize their notes. OneNote also has a clean and intuitive design that’s easy to use.
Organizational Features
Both Notion and OneNote offer robust organizational features. Notion allows users to create pages, sub-pages, and databases to organize their notes. It also allows users to tag their notes and create custom templates.
OneNote allows users to create notebooks, sections, and pages to organize their notes. Users can also use tags and search features to quickly find their notes.
Note-taking Features
Notion and OneNote both offer a wide range of note-taking features and allows users to format their text, add images and videos, and embed different types of content (such as Google Maps, YouTube videos, and more). Notion also allows users to create to-do lists and set reminders.
OneNote allows users to capture handwritten notes, draw sketches, and add images and other multimedia content to their notes. It also has a built-in screen clipping tool that allows users to capture and save screenshots.
Collaboration and Sharing Features
Both Notion and OneNote allow users to share their notes and collaborate with team members in real-time. Notion allows users to share individual pages or entire workspaces with team members. Users can also set permissions for each team member, such as read-only or edit access.
OneNote allows users to share notebooks with team members and set permissions for each team member. Users can also collaborate in real-time on the same page.
Mobile App Features
Both Notion and OneNote have mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. Notion’s mobile app allows users to access their notes on the go, create new notes, and collaborate with team members.
OneNote’s mobile app allows users to capture handwritten notes, add images and other multimedia content, and access their notes on the go.
Pros and Cons of Notion & OneNote
Notion
Pros:
- Customizable: Notion allows users to create custom templates and databases, making it a great option for users who need to organize and manage complex projects.
- Integrations: Notion integrates with a wide range of third-party apps, including Google Drive, Trello, and Slack.
- Powerful search functionality: Notion’s search functionality is powerful and customizable, allowing users to quickly find the notes they need.
- Versatile: Notion can be used for a wide range of purposes, from personal note-taking to project management.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve: Notion’s flexibility and customizability can be overwhelming for new users, and it may take some time to learn all of its features.
- Expensive: Notion’s paid plans can be pricey, especially for individual users who only need basic note-taking functionality.
- No handwriting recognition: Notion does not have robust handwriting recognition capabilities, which may be a deal-breaker for users who prefer to handwrite their notes.
OneNote
Pros:
- Handwriting recognition: OneNote’s handwriting recognition capabilities are some of the best on the market, making it a great option for users who prefer to handwrite their notes.
- Familiar interface: OneNote’s notebook-based interface is familiar and intuitive for users who are used to taking notes with pen and paper.
Cons:
- Limited customization: OneNote’s interface is less customizable than Notion’s, which may be a deal-breaker for users who need to organize and manage complex projects.
- Limited third-party integrations: OneNote’s integrations with third-party apps are limited, which may be a drawback for users who rely on other tools to stay organized.
- Limited search functionality: OneNote’s search functionality is not as powerful or customizable as Notion’s, which may make it harder to find specific notes.
When it comes to choosing between Notion and OneNote, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and needs. Notion’s customizability and flexibility make it a great option for users who need to organize and manage complex projects, while OneNote’s handwriting recognition and familiar interface make it a great option for users who prefer a more traditional note-taking experience. Both tools offer powerful features that can help you stay organized and productive, so take some time to explore each one and determine which one is the best fit for you.
Use Examples for Notion & OneNote
While both Notion and OneNote can be used for a wide range of purposes, there are certain use cases where one tool may be better suited than the other. Here are some notable use cases for each tool:
Notion
- Project management: Notion’s customizability and powerful database functionality make it a great option for managing complex projects, especially if you need to collaborate with a team.
- Knowledge management: Notion’s wiki-like interface and powerful search functionality make it a great option for storing and organizing information, such as research notes, bookmarks, and resources.
- Personal journaling: Notion’s customizable templates and rich text editor make it a great option for personal journaling, allowing you to create a digital diary that’s tailored to your needs.
How I Use Notion
My favorite way to use Notion is to create an assignment spreadsheet to keep myself accountable throughout my academic life.
See my Notion Task Management post for a free template so you can start using it yourself!
OneNote
- Handwritten note-taking: OneNote’s robust handwriting recognition capabilities make it a great option for users who prefer to take notes by hand, especially if you have a stylus or tablet.
- Recipe organization: OneNote’s notebook-based interface and ability to insert images and links make it a great option for storing and organizing recipes, allowing you to create your own digital cookbook if you’d like.
Notion vs. OneNote: Pricing
Notion
- Free: With the free version of Notion, you can create unlimited notes, pages, and tasks, and collaborate with up to 5 guests.
- Personal: For $4 per month, you can upgrade to Notion’s Personal plan, which includes unlimited guests, version history, and access to the app’s API and integrations.
- Team: Notion’s Team plan starts at $8 per member per month, and includes all the features of the Personal plan, as well as team permissions, priority support, and advanced permissions and analytics.
OneNote
- Free: OneNote is completely free to use, with no paid upgrade options. However, some features, such as custom tags, stickers, and the ability to password-protect sections, are only available with a Microsoft 365 subscription (starting at $6.99/month).
Please note, this information may have changed from the time this post was published.
Tips for Choosing Between Notion & OneNote
If you’re still unsure which tool is right for you, here are some tips to help you choose:
- Consider your note-taking style:
Are you someone who prefers to handwrite your notes, or do you prefer typing them out? OneNote’s handwriting capabilities may make it a better fit for those who prefer handwritten notes, while Notion’s typing-focused interface may be better for those who prefer typing. - Think about your use cases:
Are you using the tool for personal note-taking, or are you working on complex team projects that require advanced database functionality? Notion’s flexibility and customizability make it a better fit for complex projects, while OneNote’s simple interface makes it a great option for basic note-taking. - Evaluate your budget:
If you’re on a tight budget, OneNote’s free availability may be a deciding factor. However, if you need advanced features like team collaboration and custom integrations, Notion’s paid plans may be a better investment. - Try both tools:
The best way to decide between Notion and OneNote is to try them out for yourself. Both tools offer free versions, so you can test them out and see which one feels like a better fit for you.
Notion and OneNote are two of the most popular note-taking tools on the market, and for good reason. They both offer powerful features that can help you organize your thoughts, collaborate with others, and stay productive.
In this post, we explored the similarities and differences between Notion & OneNote. We’ve looked at their interfaces, features, and pricing, and we’ve discussed the pros and cons of each tool. Ultimately, the decision of which tool to use depends on your personal preferences and needs.
If you’re looking for a tool that offers advanced customization and database functionality, Notion may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you need a simple, no-frills tool for basic note-taking, OneNote may be a better fit. Both tools have their strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Good luck and comment down below which platform is your favorite!
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