Microsoft OneNote vs UpNote: 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 Microsoft OneNote and UpNote side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, UpNote leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. 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:
Microsoft OneNote
Digital notebook for organizing everything
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (UpNote requires payment)
UpNote
Write, organize, and sync your notes across all devices with a clean and clutter-free space.
Best for you if:
- • You want available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
| At a Glance | UpNote | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $6.99/mo, billed monthly With Microsoft 365 plan | Free plan, paid from $1.99/mo, billed monthly Premium (Monthly) plan |
Category | Note-Taking Productivity | Note-Taking Productivity |
Rating | 4.0/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.5 · Trustpilot 1.8 3,864 reviews | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 135 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Microsoft OneNote or UpNote?
Choose Microsoft OneNote if
- You want a fully free tool (UpNote requires payment)
- You want completely free
- You want great handwriting/tablet support
Choose UpNote if
- You want available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
- You want offers a lifetime premium purchase option, avoiding recurring subscriptions
- Budget matters ($1.99/mo, billed monthly vs $6.99/mo, billed monthly)
In-Depth Analysis
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
UpNote
Write, organize, and sync your notes across all devices with a clean and clutter-free space.
UpNote's pricing is very generous, especially with the $39.99 Lifetime option which offers exceptional value compared to typical subscription models.
Strengths
- Pro: Available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
- Pro: Offers a lifetime premium purchase option, avoiding recurring subscriptions
- Pro: Clean, clutter-free interface promotes focus
- Pro: Robust organization features for managing many notes
- Pro: Includes essential security and backup features
Weaknesses
- Con: Free version is limited to 50 notes, which might be restrictive for some users
- Con: Pricing may vary by region and sales taxes
Key features
Plans and prices: Microsoft OneNote vs UpNote
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft OneNote |
| onenote.com read Sep 29, 2026 |
| UpNote |
| getupnote.com read Oct 24, 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 Microsoft OneNote pricing and UpNote pricing.
Key Takeaways
Microsoft OneNote
- Choose if you want digital notebook for organizing everything
UpNote
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.0/5
- Lower entry price: $1.99/mo, billed monthly vs $6.99/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, UpNote leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- UpNote has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 3,864 reviews for Microsoft OneNote, 4.7/5 from 135 reviews for UpNote).
- UpNote has the lower entry price: $1.99/mo, billed monthly (Premium (Monthly)) against $6.99/mo, billed monthly (With Microsoft 365) for Microsoft OneNote.
- 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 Microsoft OneNote and UpNote compare in 2026?
On the data below, UpNote leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. UpNote has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 3,864 reviews for Microsoft OneNote, 4.7/5 from 135 reviews for UpNote). UpNote has the lower entry price: $1.99/mo, billed monthly (Premium (Monthly)) against $6.99/mo, billed monthly (With Microsoft 365) for Microsoft OneNote. Both have a free plan.
What are Microsoft OneNote and UpNote used for?
Microsoft OneNote: Digital notebook for organizing everything. UpNote: Write, organize, and sync your notes across all devices with a clean and clutter-free space.
What does Microsoft OneNote cost vs UpNote?
Microsoft OneNote's cheapest paid plan is With Microsoft 365 at $6.99/mo, billed monthly. UpNote's cheapest paid plan is Premium (Monthly) at $1.99/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 24, 2026.
What's the main difference between Microsoft OneNote and UpNote?
Microsoft OneNote's main strength: completely free. UpNote's main strength: available across all major operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android).