Our verdict: OneNote is the best free choice for handwritten and free-form notes on Windows, especially with a pen or touch screen. Notebooks sync through OneDrive, so you need a Microsoft account and your OneDrive storage sets the limit. Copilot and other AI features require a paid Microsoft 365 plan.
About Microsoft OneNote
OneNote organises notes into notebooks, sections and pages. A page is an open canvas: you can click anywhere to type, drop in images, files, tables and audio recordings, or write and draw with a pen. The desktop app for Windows, formerly called OneNote 2016, is free to download without an Office licence.
Notebooks are saved to OneDrive or SharePoint and sync to the apps for Mac, Android, iPhone and the web, where they can also be shared with other people. The free version covers note-taking, inking and sharing; Copilot in OneNote is part of paid Microsoft 365 plans.
What it does well
- Free-form pages. Type, paste images or draw anywhere on a page instead of in a single text column.
- Pen and ink. Handwrite, highlight and sketch with a pen, mouse or finger, and convert ink math to equations.
- Notebooks, sections and pages. A three-level structure keeps classes, projects or clients in separate notebooks.
- Copy text from pictures. Extracts text from images and printouts that you add to a page.
- Shared notebooks. Share a notebook through OneDrive so several people can edit it at the same time.
Who it is for
Good fit
Students and anyone who takes handwritten or mixed notes on a Windows tablet or touch laptop.
Look elsewhere
People who want local-only notes, Markdown files or notes that are easy to move to another app.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free without an Office licence
- Excellent pen and touch support
- Free-form pages for mixed content
- Apps on all major platforms
Cons
- Notebooks live in OneDrive, so storage is limited by your OneDrive plan
- Export options are limited, which makes moving to another app hard
- Copilot AI features require a paid Microsoft 365 subscription
How to install Microsoft OneNote
The link downloads a small online installer that fetches OneNote from Microsoft, so keep the PC connected. If Microsoft 365 is already installed, the installer matches its 32-bit or 64-bit version. Sign in with a free Microsoft account to create notebooks on OneDrive.
Questions about Microsoft OneNote
Is Microsoft OneNote free?
Yes. The OneNote app for Windows is free to download and use with a free Microsoft account. Only Copilot and other Microsoft 365 extras are paid.
Do I need Microsoft 365 to use OneNote?
No. OneNote installs on its own; Microsoft 365 adds Copilot features and more OneDrive storage.
Where does OneNote save my notes?
Notebooks are stored in OneDrive or SharePoint and synced to every device where you sign in.
