What is Microsoft OneNote? Everything you need to know!
In short: What is Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote is a versatile note-taking app that allows you to easily capture and organize your ideas, notes, and tasks. The app works on all your devices and is also available offline. You can get OneNote in the following packages:
Microsoft OneNote is a versatile note-taking app that lets you digitally capture and organize all your ideas, notes, and tasks. Students can use OneNote to organize their lecture notes, professionals use it to keep track of meeting notes, and anyone looking for more structure in daily life will find it a helpful tool. But what exactly is Microsoft OneNote, what can you do with it, and how can you get it? In this blog, we’ll explain everything to you.
What is Microsoft OneNote?
Microsoft OneNote can best be described as a digital notebook you can take anywhere. It works on your laptop, tablet, and smartphone, and automatically syncs via OneDrive. In OneNote, you can not only jot down text but also add images, audio recordings, drawings, tables, PDF files, and even handwritten notes.
What makes OneNote unique is how you can organize your notes. You can create separate notebooks, which you can then divide into sections and pages. This keeps your work, studies, or personal notes always well-organized. And thanks to the powerful search function, you can quickly find specific information.

What can you do with Microsoft OneNote?
With OneNote, you can do much more than just take notes. Imagine having a notebook for work. Within that notebook, you can create different sections, such as ‘Project A,’ ‘Meetings,’ and ‘To-Do List.’ Then, within each section, you can create multiple pages with notes, to-do lists, and multimedia. Everything is neatly structured, so you no longer have to search endlessly.
One of the biggest advantages of OneNote is that you can use it on all your devices. For example, you can take a note on your laptop during a meeting. Later, you can open the same note on your phone, on your way home, to make some changes. Everything syncs automatically.
If you have a device with a touchscreen and stylus, you can also create handwritten notes or even add sketches and drawings in OneNote. Your handwritten texts can easily be converted into typed text. Additionally, you can record audio, insert images, and even annotate PDF files, making the program suitable for a wide variety of applications.
What is the difference between OneNote and Loop?
OneNote and Loop each have their own focus. OneNote is ideal for individual use and storing structured, long-term information, whereas Loop focuses on teams and real-time collaboration. Loop is more flexible for brainstorming sessions and is better integrated with Teams and Outlook, making sharing content easier. OneNote offers limited collaboration features and is less flexible than Loop. However, a significant advantage of OneNote is that you can work offline, whereas Loop always requires an internet connection.
How can you get Microsoft OneNote?
There are various ways to use Microsoft OneNote, depending on your needs and budget.
Free version of OneNote
OneNote is available for free. You can download the app on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. This free version offers the basic functionalities of OneNote. If you want access to all features, it’s best to opt for the paid version.
Microsoft 365 - Annual subscription
Do you want access to advanced features? Then you can choose a Microsoft 365 subscription. OneNote is included by default in packages such as:
- Microsoft 365 Personal: ideal for individual use.
- Microsoft 365 Family: suitable for families, with access for up to 6 people.
- Microsoft 365 Business: for businesses and teams, with additional professional features.
With a Microsoft 365 subscription, you not only get access to OneNote but also to other popular Office programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Plus, you get 1 TB of cloud storage via OneDrive, ensuring your notes are always safe and accessible.
Office 2024 – One-time purchase
Don’t want to commit to a subscription? You can also choose a one-time purchase of Office 2024. This includes OneNote along with other Office programs. It’s a good option if you don’t want monthly costs but still want access to professional software.
Conclusion
Microsoft OneNote is a versatile note-taking app that allows you to easily capture and organize ideas, notes, and tasks. It’s ideal for students, professionals, and anyone looking for more structure, thanks to its ability to organize notes and add multimedia. OneNote is free to download, but if you want to access additional features and integrations with other Office programs, you can choose a Microsoft 365 subscription. A one-time purchase of Office 2024 also provides access to OneNote. Find the option that suits you best and get the most out of your notes!