Evernote vs. Microsoft OneNote

Attribute	Evernote	Microsoft OneNote
Platform	Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web	Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web
Syncing	Syncs across devices in real-time	Syncs across devices in real-time
Organization	Uses notebooks, tags, and search functionality	Uses notebooks, sections, pages, and search functionality
Collaboration	Allows sharing and collaboration with others	Allows sharing and collaboration with others
Formatting	Offers basic text formatting options	Offers extensive text formatting options
Attachments	Supports various file attachments	Supports various file attachments
Web Clipping	Allows saving web pages and articles	Allows saving web pages and articles
Handwriting	Supports handwriting input on compatible devices	Supports handwriting input on compatible devices
OCR	Performs OCR on images for searchable text	Performs OCR on images for searchable text
Price	Offers free and premium subscription plans	Included with Microsoft Office 365 subscription

Introduction

When it comes to note-taking apps, Evernote and Microsoft OneNote are two of the most popular choices available. Both applications offer a wide range of features and capabilities that can help you stay organized and productive. However, they also have their own unique attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Evernote and Microsoft OneNote to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.

User Interface

One of the first things you'll notice when using Evernote is its clean and minimalist user interface. The app focuses on simplicity, making it easy to navigate and find what you need. On the other hand, Microsoft OneNote has a more visually appealing interface with a notebook-like layout. It offers a more immersive experience, allowing you to organize your notes in a hierarchical structure.

Evernote's interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly. It provides a sidebar on the left-hand side, where you can access your notebooks, tags, and shortcuts. The main workspace is dedicated to displaying your notes, with a toolbar at the top for quick access to essential features. OneNote, on the other hand, uses a tab-based system, allowing you to switch between different notebooks and sections effortlessly. It also offers a ribbon toolbar that provides a wide range of formatting options.

Organization and Structure

Both Evernote and OneNote offer robust organization features, but they differ in their approach. Evernote uses a tagging system, allowing you to assign multiple tags to each note. This makes it easy to categorize and search for specific notes based on different criteria. OneNote, on the other hand, uses a hierarchical structure with notebooks, sections, and pages. This mimics the traditional paper notebook experience, making it ideal for users who prefer a more visual and structured approach to organization.

In Evernote, you can create notebooks to group related notes together, and within each notebook, you can create tags to further classify your notes. This flexibility allows for a more personalized organization system. OneNote, on the other hand, allows you to create multiple notebooks, each containing sections and pages. This hierarchical structure makes it easy to create a comprehensive system for organizing your notes, especially if you have a large volume of content.

Syncing and Accessibility

Both Evernote and OneNote offer syncing capabilities, allowing you to access your notes across multiple devices. Evernote provides seamless synchronization across platforms, including desktop, web, and mobile devices. This ensures that your notes are always up to date, regardless of the device you are using. OneNote, on the other hand, is tightly integrated with Microsoft's ecosystem, making it an excellent choice for users who primarily use Windows devices. It offers seamless syncing with OneDrive, allowing you to access your notes from any device with a Microsoft account.

Evernote also offers offline access to your notes, allowing you to view and edit them even when you don't have an internet connection. This can be particularly useful for users who frequently travel or find themselves in areas with limited connectivity. OneNote, on the other hand, requires an internet connection to access your notes, although it does offer a limited offline mode for viewing previously accessed content.

Collaboration and Sharing

Both Evernote and OneNote offer collaboration features that allow you to share your notes with others. Evernote allows you to invite others to view and edit your notes, making it easy to collaborate on projects or share information with colleagues. You can also set permissions to control who can access and modify your notes. OneNote, on the other hand, offers similar collaboration features but with a stronger emphasis on real-time collaboration. Multiple users can work on the same note simultaneously, making it ideal for team projects or brainstorming sessions.

When it comes to sharing notes, Evernote provides a variety of options. You can share notes via email, generate public links, or even publish them on the web. OneNote, on the other hand, allows you to share notes via email or by generating a link. Additionally, OneNote integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft Office applications, making it easy to share notes with colleagues who use tools like Word or PowerPoint.

Additional Features

Both Evernote and OneNote offer a range of additional features that can enhance your note-taking experience. Evernote, for example, provides a powerful search functionality that allows you to find specific notes or even search within images and PDFs. It also offers a web clipper tool, which lets you save articles, web pages, and other online content directly to your Evernote account.

OneNote, on the other hand, offers a unique feature called Ink-to-Text, which allows you to convert your handwritten notes into typed text. This can be particularly useful for users who prefer to take notes using a stylus or touchscreen device. OneNote also integrates with Microsoft's digital assistant, Cortana, allowing you to create notes and set reminders using voice commands.

Conclusion

Choosing between Evernote and Microsoft OneNote ultimately depends on your personal preferences and specific needs. Evernote's clean interface, flexible organization system, and cross-platform syncing make it a great choice for users who value simplicity and accessibility. On the other hand, OneNote's visually appealing interface, hierarchical structure, and seamless integration with Microsoft's ecosystem make it an excellent option for users who prefer a more structured and immersive note-taking experience.

Consider your preferred organization style, collaboration requirements, and the devices you use most frequently when making your decision. Both Evernote and OneNote offer free versions, so you can try them out and see which one suits you best. Whichever app you choose, both Evernote and OneNote are powerful tools that can help you stay organized, boost productivity, and capture your ideas effectively.