Microsoft OneNote Review 2025: Top Features, Pros, and Cons

Microsoft OneNote is a note-taking service developed by Microsoft and part of the Office ecosystem. First launched in 2003, it has become the standard tool for students, educators, and office workers alike. In 2025, OneNote remains one of the best note-taking apps thanks to its intuitive notebook-style structure with sections and pages, along with seamless integration with Windows and Microsoft 365.

See the full ranking: Top 7 Best Note-Taking Apps for 2025

Main Features

• Free plan: 5 GB via OneDrive
• Paid plans: Included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions (from $6.99/month with 1 TB cloud storage)
• Platform support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web
• Key features:
  • Notebook → Sections → Pages hierarchy
  • Automatic saving to OneDrive
  • Handwriting and drawing support (stylus, touchscreen)
  • Collaboration and integration with Outlook, Word, Excel

Advantages

• Excellent choice for students and teachers
• Full integration with Windows and Microsoft Office
• Convenient structure for managing large collections of notes
• Supports handwriting, tables, and file attachments
• Real-time collaborative editing

Disadvantages

• Free tier is limited to 5 GB
• Less convenient for quick mobile notes
• Dependent on OneDrive and the Microsoft ecosystem

Who Is It For?

• Students and pupils for lecture notes and study materials
• Windows and Microsoft Office users
• Anyone managing large projects or extensive sections
• People who need to organize significant amounts of text information

Conclusion

Microsoft OneNote is a classic among note-taking apps and the best choice for anyone invested in the Windows and Office ecosystem. In 2025, it remains an indispensable tool for both education and business, especially when it comes to organizing large volumes of information.

Explore the full list of the top note-taking apps for 2025