Notability vs Microsoft OneNote: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Notability and Microsoft OneNote side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Notability leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Notability
Transform your notes into knowledge with AI-powered summaries, quizzes, and flashcards.
Best for you if:
- • You want combines note-taking with AI-powered learning tools
Microsoft OneNote
Digital notebook for organizing everything
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Notability requires payment)
| At a Glance | Notability | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $1.67/mo, billed yearly PLUS plan | Free plan, paid from $6.99/mo, billed monthly With Microsoft 365 plan |
Category | Note-Taking Productivity | Note-Taking Productivity |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 45 reviews | 4.0/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.5 · Trustpilot 1.8 3,864 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Notability or Microsoft OneNote?
Choose Notability if
- You want combines note-taking with AI-powered learning tools
- You want offers real-time transcription and summarization
Choose Microsoft OneNote if
- You want a fully free tool (Notability requires payment)
- You want completely free
- You want great handwriting/tablet support
In-Depth Analysis
Notability
Transform your notes into knowledge with AI-powered summaries, quizzes, and flashcards.
Notability's pricing is fair, offering a generous free STARTER tier.
Strengths
- Pro: Combines note-taking with AI-powered learning tools.
- Pro: Offers real-time transcription and summarization.
- Pro: Provides a free tier with essential note-taking features.
- Pro: Available on iOS and Web platforms.
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced AI features are locked behind paid tiers.
- Con: Limited edits on the free plan.
- Con: Pricing is subscription-based, which may not suit all users.
Key features
Microsoft OneNote
Digital notebook for organizing everything
OneNote's pricing is exceptionally generous, as the core product is entirely free with unlimited notebooks and cross-platform sync.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free
- Pro: Great handwriting/tablet support
- Pro: Deep Microsoft integration
- Pro: Unlimited storage (with M365)
- Pro: Good for visual thinkers
Weaknesses
- Con: Can feel cluttered
- Con: Sync issues occasionally
- Con: Less structured than Notion
- Con: Microsoft account required
Key features
Plans and prices: Notability vs Microsoft OneNote
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Notability |
| notability.com/pricing read Oct 7, 2026 |
| Microsoft OneNote |
| onenote.com read Sep 29, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Notability pricing and Microsoft OneNote pricing.
Key Takeaways
Notability
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.0/5
Microsoft OneNote
- Choose if you want digital notebook for organizing everything
What the data shows
On the data below, Notability leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Notability has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 45 reviews for Notability, 4.0/5 from 3,864 reviews for Microsoft OneNote).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Notability $1.67/mo, billed yearly; Microsoft OneNote $6.99/mo, billed monthly.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
What Users Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Notability and Microsoft OneNote compare in 2026?
On the data below, Notability leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Notability has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 45 reviews for Notability, 4.0/5 from 3,864 reviews for Microsoft OneNote). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Notability $1.67/mo, billed yearly; Microsoft OneNote $6.99/mo, billed monthly. Both have a free plan.
What are Notability and Microsoft OneNote used for?
Notability: Transform your notes into knowledge with AI-powered summaries, quizzes, and flashcards. Microsoft OneNote: Digital notebook for organizing everything.
What does Notability cost vs Microsoft OneNote?
Notability's cheapest paid plan is PLUS at $1.67/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Microsoft OneNote's cheapest paid plan is With Microsoft 365 at $6.99/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 7, 2026.
What's the main difference between Notability and Microsoft OneNote?
Notability's main strength: combines note-taking with AI-powered learning tools. Microsoft OneNote's main strength: completely free.