Microsoft OneNote costs $7/mo.
These cost $0.
3 free alternatives to Microsoft OneNote, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Microsoft OneNote vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $7/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trilium Notes | open source | AGPL-3.0+ | Local or hosted | ★ 38.7k | Microsoft OneNote vs Trilium Notes → |
| Xournalpp | open source | cm0zg8j6i000au5torrmovier | Self-host | ★ 15.6k | Microsoft OneNote vs Xournalpp → |
| Standardnotes | open source | cm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81 | Self-host | ★ 6.7k | Microsoft OneNote vs Standardnotes → |
The picks
3 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Trilium Notes
open sourceAGPL-3.0+Local or hosted38.7kaug 2026A personal knowledge tree with relations, attributes and a sync server you control.
The catch vs Microsoft OneNoteTrilium uses a hierarchical note tree and client-server sync rather than Anytype's typed object graph and encrypted peer-to-peer space model.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopwebself-hostedextensionone-click install
- install
- Desktop release package, or Docker Compose/image for a server and browser client
- setup
- The desktop app is straightforward, but cross-device sync and browser access require operating a Trilium server, persisting document.db, and handling backups and upgrades
- your data
- Notes, hierarchy, attributes, revisions, and most attachments live in a local or server-side SQLite database named document.db; notes can be exported to HTML, Markdown, or OPML
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 02
Xournalpp
open sourcecm0zg8j6i000au5torrmovierSelf-host15.6knov 2026Fast, flexible, cross-platform note-taking software.
The catch vs Microsoft OneNoteRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Microsoft OneNote.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/xournalpp/xournalpp or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
- 03
Standardnotes
open sourcecm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81Self-host6.7knov 2026Free, secure note-taking app with end-to-end encryption.
The catch vs Microsoft OneNoteRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Microsoft OneNote.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/standardnotes/web or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Microsoft OneNote open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Microsoft OneNote?+
The top free alternative to Microsoft OneNote is Trilium Notes (open source, AGPL-3.0+). A personal knowledge tree with relations, attributes and a sync server you control. Other popular Microsoft OneNote replacements include Xournalpp, Standardnotes.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Microsoft OneNote?+
Yes. Of the 3 free alternatives to Microsoft OneNote, 3 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Trilium Notes (AGPL-3.0+), Xournalpp (cm0zg8j6i000au5torrmovier), Standardnotes (cm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81).
How much does switching from Microsoft OneNote to a free alternative save?+
Microsoft OneNote starts at $7/month per seat ($84/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Trilium Notes saves $420 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Microsoft OneNote clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Microsoft OneNote is KINDA (the core, yes. the polish, no). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Microsoft OneNote or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 3 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Trilium Notes or Xournalpp.
What is the catch when switching from Microsoft OneNote to Trilium Notes?+
Trilium uses a hierarchical note tree and client-server sync rather than Anytype's typed object graph and encrypted peer-to-peer space model.
