OneNote for Mac is a solid note-taking tool. It’s organized and flexible and has helped plenty of people capture everything from grocery lists to genius-level brainstorming sessions.
But if you’re a Mac version user, you’ve probably noticed a few rough edges.
Maybe it’s the sync delays, or how some features feel like they were built with another OS in mind, or maybe you just wonder… if this note-taking experience could be smoother.
The truth is, OneNote does a lot, but it’s not the only player in the game. And depending on your workflow, setup, or creative process, there might be a note-taking application that feels more like a natural extension of your Mac environment.
In this blog, we’ll walk through some of the best Microsoft OneNote alternatives for Mac! Apps that offer an intuitive user interface design, seamless task integration, and productivity tools that just work the way you do.
10 Best OneNote Alternative Options for Mac Version Users
Popular Note-Taking Apps You Can Consider for Mac
| Key Features | Best for | Pricing* | |
| Docs, AI Assistant ( Brain), real-time collaboration, templates, bi-directional linking | Freelancers, startups, mid-sized, and enterprise teams | Free plan available; Customizations for enterprises | |
| Apple Notes | MacOS-native, rich media embeds, Smart Folders, Quick Note, note locking | Apple users, students, and personal note-takers | Free (included with Apple devices) |
| Evernote | Web clipper, notebook stacks, powerful search, task integration | Professionals, students, writers, and researchers | Free; Starts at $14.99/mo |
| Obsidian | Markdown editor, bi-directional linking, graph view, plugin support | Writers, developers, and knowledge management pros | Free; Starts at $5/month |
| Notion | End-to-end encryption, Markdown support, customizable sync, and offline mode | Block-based editing, linked databases, templates, real-time collaboration | Free; Paid from $10/user/mo |
| Joplin | Creative teams, students, and professionals | Open-source fans, developers, and budget users | Free; Custom pricing |
| Simplenote | Fast sync, Markdown support, version history, tag-based sorting | Writers, bloggers, and distraction-free notetakers | Free |
| Bear | Beautiful Markdown editor, tag-based organization, focus mode, themes | Creative teams, students and professionals | Free; Starts at $2.99/month |
| Zoho Notebook | Smart card system, voice notes, cross-platform sync, notebook covers | Freelancers, educators, and privacy-conscious users | Free |
| Google Keep | Sticky-note UI, voice notes with transcription, Google ecosystem integration | Casual users, families, and Google Workspace teams | Free (with Google account) |
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Our editorial team follows a transparent, research-backed, and vendor-neutral process, so you can trust that our recommendations are based on real product value.
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What Should You Look For While Looking for a OneNote Alternative for Mac?
Switching note-taking apps ranks somewhere between untangling headphones and reorganizing your Google Drive—necessary, but tedious. If you’re hunting for a OneNote alternative on the Mac version, here are five things to watch for.
💭 Features
Can it handle the Apple Pencil? Clip from Safari? Tag, search, and stack your notes neatly? Microsoft Office OneNote offers a lot, but it can feel clunky on macOS. Prioritize features like Spotlight search, Markdown support, or clean offline access—things you’ll actually use.
🤑 Pricing
Some note-takers coast on free plans. Others hit a paywall mid-thought. Apps like Bear and Apple Notes are generous with their free offerings, but if you want sync, backups, or AI features, ensure the upgrade is worth it. One-time purchases > subscriptions.
☺️ User reviews
Ignore extremes. The 3–4-star reviews on the native Mac App Store or Reddit are gold. Seek feedback from users on M1/M2 Macs running macOS Sonoma to catch real issues—sync bugs, clunky UI, or shortcut gaps.
🤝 Integrations
If it doesn’t sync with iCloud, Handoff, Shortcuts, and Apple’s core apps, it’s a silo, not a solution.
💻 Syncing
You need notes that sync instantly across your MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. OneNote’s OneDrive-based sync can stumble here.
💡 Pro Tip: Tired of note-taking that goes nowhere after the meeting ends? This guide to meeting notes will show you how to keep everything structured, action-oriented, and way less likely to disappear into the void (aka your downloads folder).
The 10 Best Microsoft OneNote Alternatives for Mac
Here are the ten best Microsoft OneNote alternatives for Mac, apps built to keep up with your ideas, deadlines, and the occasional 2 AM existential spiral where you suddenly need to map out your five-year plan in bullet points.
From minimalist note-takers to full-on productivity ecosystems, there’s something here for everyone, including you, color-coded-tab enthusiasts.
1. (Best for AI-powered note-taking and task management)
If you’re someone who expects your note-taking software to work as smoothly as the rest of your Apple ecosystem, feels right at home.
It’s fast, responsive, and optimized for macOS—without the weird formatting bugs or lag that come from clunky cross-platform ports.
But what really sets apart is that it’s not just a notes app. It’s your docs, tasks, AI assistant, and project dashboard—an everything app for work. That means no more multitasking five tools across twenty browser tabs.
💜 Enjoy structured document management with Docs
Let’s start with Docs. Docs offer you dynamic, structured documents built for modern workflows.
Docs lets you:
- Format with custom headers, tables, bulleted lists, and rich media
- Nest pages and keep content organized without scroll fatigue
- Collaborate in real time with your team—comments, edits, and feedback included
- Link directly to tasks, projects, or goals so your notes actually drive work forward
💜 Summarize your notes with Brain
Pair that with Brain, your built-in AI assistant, and you’ve got a powerful note-taking companion that actually thinks with you.
Brain summarizes lengthy notes or meeting transcripts into crisp bullet points, so you can get the gist without rereading paragraphs. It also formats your content automatically, keeping everything clean and easy to scan—no manual clean-up required.
Do you need to capture the next steps or delegate follow-ups? Just ask. Brain identifies action items as they come up in meetings and can instantly turn them into tasks, complete with assignees and due dates.
It can even help rewrite content in different tones or brainstorm ideas when you’re stuck staring at a blinking cursor. The best part? Brain includes the power of the best external AI models available today,, including Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, among others.
💜 Quickly transfer your thoughts to your workflow with Notepad
And when inspiration strikes mid-scroll or during a call, there’s Notepad—a distraction-free space for capturing quick ideas, to-dos, or draft thoughts before turning them into full-blown docs or tasks later.
also supports bi-directional linking, letting you tie any doc directly to a task (and vice versa). So when someone asks, “Where’s the action item from this note?”, you won’t have to dig—it’s already connected.
💜 Take instant notes with the AI notetaker
And for those who want instant notes after their meetings, the AI notetaker does the job like a pro.
Here’s how it helps:
- Ensures that every decision made is captured and can be shared easily with anyone, whether they were in the room or not
- Captures action items and assigns them to the right people
- Connects every discussion to relevant tasks and files while providing full context—so your team can move forward without needing to rehash the past
Here’s a quick video on ’s AI notetaker turns meeting notes into tasks directly:
💜 Meeting Notes Template
Lastly, one can’t miss ’s massive library of plug-and-play templates that are perfect for recurring workflows, such as the Meeting Notes Template.
best features
- Create structured, dynamic documents using Docs with rich formatting, nested pages, and embedded media
- Collaborate in real time and link docs directly to tasks, projects, or goals for full project context
- Use Brain to summarize notes, capture action items, and rewrite content in your tone of choice
- Capture quick thoughts and to-dos on the fly with the built-in Notepad—perfect for mid-call ideas
- Stay consistent with pre-built templates like Meeting Notes that highlight agendas, decisions, and next steps
limitations
- Docs can feel a little overwhelming if you’re just looking for a simple notes app
- Occasional loading delays when toggling between features
- Some users mention a learning curve (translation: there are a lot of buttons)
pricing
free forever
Best for personal use
Free Free
Key Features:
unlimited
Best for small teams
$7 $10
Everything in Free Forever plus:
business
Best for mid-sized teams
$12 $19
Everything in Unlimited, plus:
enterprise
Best for many large teams
Get a custom demo and see how aligns with your goals.
Everything in Business, plus:
* Prices when billed annually
The world’s most complete work AI, starting at $9 per month
Brain is a no Brainer. One AI to manage your work, at a fraction of the cost.
Try for free
ratings and reviews:
- G2: 4.7/5 (9,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (4,000+ reviews)
What does a real user have to say?
A G2 user says:
2. Apple Notes (Best for seamless Mac OS integration)
If you’re the kind of person who breathes in the Apple ecosystem, uses an iPhone as a remote, an iPad as a second screen, and talks to Siri more than actual humans, Apple Notes is your comfort zone.
It’s pre-installed, buttery-smooth on Mac, and syncs across your Apple devices without breaking a sweat.
The interface is clean, the performance is snappy, and everything just works, no extra sign-ups, no confusing onboarding. It’s the note-taking version of slipping into your favorite hoodie: cozy, familiar, and reliably there when you need it.
Apple Notes best features
- Deliver macOS-native speed and stability without formatting issues
- Embed rich media like images, PDFs, sketches, and voice memos
- Organize notes with folders, color-coded tags, and Smart Folders
- Collaborate on notes with shared editing functionality
- Capture ideas instantly with Quick Note from anywhere on macOS or iPadOS
- Lock sensitive notes with a password, Touch ID, or Face ID for extra security
Apple Notes limitations
- No cross-platform version (Windows/Android users, sorry—you’re out)
- Lacks advanced features like templates, AI help, or bi-directional linking
- Limited formatting options compared to other power-user tools
Apple Notes pricing
Apple Notes ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
What are users saying about Apple Notes?
A Reddit user says:
📮 Insight: 37% of workers send follow-up notes or meeting minutes to track action items, but 36% still rely on other, fragmented methods. Without a unified system for capturing decisions, key insights you need may get buried in chats, emails, or spreadsheets.
With , you can instantly turn conversations into actionable tasks across all your tasks, chats, and docs, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
💡 Pro Tip: Not all note-taking methods are created equal. Some are brilliant, others… not so much. Learn the difference (and find your style) with this smart breakdown of note-taking techniques. Your future self will thank you—and maybe even stay organized.
Master the art of seamless sharing: Learn how to share notes without the chaos.
3. Evernote (Best for power users who live in their notes)
Evernote has been in the note-taking game longer than most apps have been alive. It’s the OG—back when “cloud sync” was still a buzzword, not just a given. And while it’s had its ups and downs (we all experimented in the 2010s), it’s still a powerful tool for organizing, storing, and syncing all kinds of notes, especially if you’re a Mac user with a flair for structure.
If you love categorizing everything, clipping articles like a digital squirrel, and turning notes into full productivity hubs, Evernote might be your jam.
Evernote best features
- Save full web pages, articles, or screenshots with the Web Clipper
- Organize content using notebook stacks for structured categorization
- Search across typed, scanned, and handwritten content with OCR
- Add tasks, set reminders, and assign due dates directly inside notes
- Sync notes across all devices for seamless access anytime, anywhere
Evernote limitations
- The free plan is pretty limited (and kind of nudges you toward upgrading)
- User interface can feel a bit clunky compared to sleeker Mac-native apps
- Sync issues are occasionally reported if you’re juggling lots of large attachments
Evernote pricing
- Free
- Personal: $14.99/month per user
- Professional: $17.99/month per user
- Teams: Custom pricing
Evernote ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (2,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (7,000+ reviews)
What are users saying about Evernote?
A G2 user says:
💡 Pro Tip: Tired of drowning in meeting notes? Discover how AI note summarizes can do the heavy lifting so you can focus on sounding brilliant instead of scribbling frantically.
4. Obsidian (Best for local-first, markdown-powered note-taking)
If Evernote is the suit-and-tie executive of note-taking, Obsidian is the indie hacker who drinks pour-over coffee and writes code in a cabin. It’s minimalist, Markdown-based, and fiercely local-first, meaning your notes stay on your device unless you want them to sync.
Obsidian isn’t trying to be cute—it’s trying to be useful. Especially if you’re a Mac user who wants total control over your knowledge base, no fluff attached.
Obsidian best features
- Write with a clean, distraction-free Markdown editor
- Link notes bidirectionally to build a connected knowledge base
- Visualize ideas with an interactive graph view
- Store notes locally with offline-first access and no forced cloud sync
- Customize your setup with plugins for themes, automation, and more
Obsidian limitations
- It might be too barebones for casual users or folks who hate Markdown
- No built-in collaboration features
- Syncing across multiple devices requires a paid add-on
Obsidian pricing
- Free
- Obsidian Sync: $5/month per user
- Obsidian Publish: $10/month per user
- Catalyst: Starts at $25/month per user
- Commercial license: $50/user/year
Obsidian ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.9/ 5
What are users saying about Obsidian?
A Capterra user says:
📚 Read more: Still drowning in a sea of half-finished notes and rogue bullet points? Here’s how to actually organize your notes so they stop looking like a crime board from a detective show and start working like a real productivity system.
5. Notion (Best for building a second brain on your Mac version)
Notion is what happens when a notebook, a wiki, and a task manager come together to collaborate. It’s sleek, powerful, and—let’s be honest—a little addictive once you fall down the rabbit hole of building dashboards and templates.
If you want a note taking app that’s as much about systems as it is about scribbles, Notion is a strong contender.
Notion best features
- Structure content flexibly with pages and drag-and-drop blocks
- Link databases across pages for scalable, customizable systems
- Use built-in or custom templates to speed up repeat workflows
- Collaborate in real time with comments, mentions, and shared pages
- Sync notes and clipped web content across devices with cloud storage
Notion limitations
- Performance can lag with large databases
- Some users find the learning curve steep
- Offline mode isn’t always the most reliable
Notion pricing
- Free
- Plus: $12/month per user
- Business: $24/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Notion ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (5,000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (2,000+ reviews)
What are users saying about Notion?
A G2 user says:
👀 Fun Fact: Thomas Edison kept over 5 million pages of notes throughout his life—so many that he once said that his main job was to gather ideas and make notes.
6. Joplin (Best for privacy-first note-taking)
If you’re someone who reads privacy policies for fun (or at least out of principle), Joplin will speak to your encrypted soul. It’s an open-source, Markdown-friendly note app that puts data ownership front and centre. No surprise terms, no random sync issues—just notes that stay yours.
Joplin is especially appealing for Mac users who want cross-platform access without trusting a faceless cloud.
Joplin best features
- Protect notes with end-to-end encryption by default
- Write freely with Markdown support for code, checklists, and formatting
- Save full articles or screenshots using the Web Clipper browser extension
- Sync across Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, or your own server
- Access and edit all notes offline without missing a beat
Joplin limitations
- UI feels a bit outdated compared to flashier options
- Collaboration features? Still a work in progress
- The plugin system can be clunky for non-techies
Joplin pricing
- Free
- Joplin Cloud: Custom pricing
Joplin ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.8/5 (50+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews to provide a reliable rating
📚Read more: AI isn’t just for writing emails or generating cat memes. Discover the best AI tools for note-taking and how they can help you capture, sort, and even think better.
7. Simplenote (Best for minimalists who just want to write)
Simplenote is what it sounds like: a simple, distraction-free note-taking app. No crazy formatting. No bloated task integrations. No AI!
Just words. On a screen. Like nature intended. (or like it’s 2001)
If you’re on a Mac and want your notes to stay sleek, synced, and uncluttered, this one’s a no-brainer.
Simplenote best features
- Sync notes instantly across all devices with lightning-fast performance
- Format with ease using clean, no-frills Markdown support
- Restore ideas anytime with built-in version history
- Organize effortlessly using simple, searchable tags
- Focus better with a distraction-free, minimalist interface
Simplenote limitations
- No support for file attachments or embedded media
- No collaboration features
- It can feel too barebones for power users
Simplenote pricing
Simplenote ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.2/5 (30+ reviews)
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
What are users saying about Simplenote?
A G2 user says:
👀 Fun Fact: The world’s oldest known “notebook” was discovered in Vindolanda, a Roman fort in Britain. The wooden tablets date back to the 1st century AD and include shopping lists, invitations, and military records.
8. Bear (Best for writers and markdown enthusiasts)
Bear feels like Apple itself made a notes app—but decided to make it aesthetic. It’s sleek, beautifully designed, and built for people who love writing… or at least love pretending they’re writing a novel while sipping espresso.
If you’re a Mac user wanting your notes to be clean, stylish, and elegantly tagged, Bear’s paws-itively everything you need.
Bear best features
- Format effortlessly with rich, instant Markdown support
- Organize notes using hashtag-based tagging and dynamic folders
- Write distraction-free with a clean, immersive Focus Mode
- Customize your workspace with beautifully designed themes
- Export notes in multiple formats like PDF, DOCX, and even JPG
Bear limitations
- Only works on Apple devices (sorry, Android fans)
- No real-time collaboration
- Syncing requires a paid plan
Bear pricing
- Free trial for 14 days
- Bear Pro: $2.99/month per user
Bear ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (40+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (11 reviews)
💡 Pro Tip: Watching a 45-minute video to remember two bullet points? There’s a better way. Master the art of pulling key insights without hitting pause 47 times in this guide to taking notes from a video format. Your play button deserves a break.
9. Zoho Notebook (Best free Note-taking app with a beautiful UI)
Zoho Notebook often flies under the radar, but it’s a surprisingly capable (and completely free) note-taking app, especially if you like your pretty, colorful, and cloud-synced tools.
It’s also a great choice for Mac users who want cross-platform compatibility without sacrificing design or features.
Zoho Notebook best features
- Organize content with a smart card system for text, audio, checklists, and more
- Record voice notes directly into your notebooks for on-the-go idea capture
- Sync across macOS, iOS, Android, and web—all for free
- Personalize notebooks with custom cover images for a visual touch
- Clip full articles, screenshots, or simplified text with the web clipper
Zoho Notebook limitations
- Lacks advanced search and tagging features
- No task or project management tools
- Collaboration is limited to basic sharing
Zoho Notebook pricing
- Free
- Zoho Pro and Business: Custom pricing
Zoho Notebook ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (87 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (74 reviews)
What are users saying about Zoho?
A G2 user says:
👀 Fun Fact: Leonardo da Vinci wrote extensively in mirror writing. His notebooks weren’t just masterpieces of observation and invention—they were written backwards, readable only with a mirror.
10. Google Keep (Best for quick, sticky note-style ideas)
Google Keep is what happens when sticky notes and cloud sync have a baby. It’s not the most powerful note-taking app, but it’s great at one thing: capturing quick thoughts fast.
Plus, it works well on Mac versions via the browser and syncs effortlessly with your Google account. If you like minimalism and need something that can keep up with your scattered brain, this one’s golden.
Google Keep best features
- Organize ideas visually using color-coded notes that feel like digital sticky notes
- Record voice memos and get instant transcriptions for hands-free note-taking
- Set time-based or location-based reminders to never miss tasks or ideas
- Use labels and pins to prioritize and categorize your notes effortlessly
- Integrate seamlessly with Google Docs, Calendar, and Chrome for cross-device access
Google Keep limitations
- No folder system (just labels)
- Very limited formatting
- Not great for long-form writing or complex projects
Google Keep pricing
Google Keep ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.8/5 (228 reviews)
Start Taking Smarter Notes on Your Mac with
Your Mac is sleek, fast, and built for people who get things done, and your note-taking app should be the same. If you’re tired of clunky interfaces, missing features, or tools that feel like they need an instruction manual (and a coffee), is your upgrade.
Whether you’re creating notes in a meeting, connecting them to tasks, or letting Brain do the heavy lifting with summaries and follow-ups, this is note-taking the way it should be: fluid, intelligent, and useful.
So if you’re looking for a Microsoft OneNote alternative that fits right into your Mac setup (without making you miss OneNote’s clunkier quirks), it is.
👉 Sign up for the free version today and let your notes do more than just sit there.
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
