Plain Markdown files you own
memrynote Yes
OneNote No
OneNote alternative
The OneNote alternative that keeps your notes on your device.
memrynote is a private, local-first alternative to Microsoft OneNote. Where OneNote stores notebooks in OneDrive — tied to a Microsoft account and readable by Microsoft — memrynote keeps every note as a plain Markdown file on your device and encrypts sync end-to-end with XChaCha20-Poly1305, so the server only ever holds ciphertext. It combines notes, tasks, a calendar, and a daily journal in one offline-first workspace, runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, and is open source. The local vault is free forever; sync starts at $5/mo. OneNote is free and leads where memrynote does not: freeform canvas pages with ink and handwriting, mobile apps, and deep Microsoft 365 integration. If those matter most, OneNote has the edge. If Markdown ownership, zero-knowledge privacy, and an integrated workflow matter more, memrynote is the better fit.
memrynote vs OneNote
End-to-end encrypted sync
memrynote Yes
OneNote No
Built-in tasks, calendar & journal
memrynote Yes
OneNote Partial
Local-first & offline
memrynote Yes
OneNote Partial
Open source
memrynote Yes
OneNote No
Free tier
memrynote Yes
OneNote Yes
Mobile apps (iOS & Android)
memrynote No
OneNote Yes
Real-time collaboration
memrynote No
OneNote Yes
Freeform canvas & ink / handwriting
memrynote No
OneNote Yes
Comparison reflects each app’s native, out-of-the-box features as of mid-2026. Competitors may cover some rows through paid add-ons or third-party plugins.
Your notes, not Microsoft’s
Notes live as plain .md files on your device, encrypted before sync — not in OneDrive where Microsoft can read them.
One integrated workspace
Notes, tasks, a calendar, and a daily journal in one app, instead of OneNote plus Microsoft To Do plus Outlook.
Private by design
Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption; the sync server holds only ciphertext and never sees your keys.
Open & cross-platform
Open source on macOS, Windows, and Linux, with portable Markdown you can read in any editor.
Is memrynote a good OneNote alternative?
Yes. memrynote replaces OneNote’s cloud-first notebooks with plain Markdown files you own, zero-knowledge encrypted sync, and a single workspace covering notes, tasks, a calendar, and a daily journal — all without a Microsoft account. It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Honest caveat: OneNote is free, excels at freeform pages with ink and handwriting, has mature mobile apps, and integrates tightly with Microsoft 365. If those features matter most, they are reasons to keep OneNote.
Your notes, not Microsoft’s
OneNote stores your notebooks in OneDrive, where Microsoft can technically read your content — it is not end-to-end encrypted. memrynote encrypts every note with XChaCha20-Poly1305 on your device before it leaves; the sync server holds only ciphertext and never sees your keys. Notes also live as plain .md files you can open in any text editor, so your data stays readable regardless of what happens to the service.
One workspace: notes, tasks, calendar, journal
OneNote gives you freeform notebook pages and basic checkboxes; a real task system, calendar, or daily journal means adding Microsoft To Do, Outlook, or another app. memrynote builds all four into one offline-first workspace: Markdown notes with wiki-links and backlinks, projects with custom statuses and subtasks, a calendar that surfaces due dates and journal entries, and a quick-capture inbox.
Migrating from OneNote
memrynote does not yet have a one-click OneNote importer — worth knowing before you switch. Migration is still doable: in the OneNote desktop app, export each notebook (for example as .docx or PDF), convert the pages to Markdown with a free tool such as Pandoc, then point memrynote at the folder of .md files as your vault. A native OneNote importer is on the roadmap.
Pricing: memrynote vs OneNote
memrynote
Free, local-first forever. Encrypted sync from $5/mo.
OneNote
Free with a Microsoft account (uses OneDrive storage).
Switch from OneNote
- 1
In the OneNote desktop app, export each notebook (for example as .docx or PDF).
- 2
Convert the exported pages to Markdown with a free tool such as Pandoc.
- 3
Point memrynote at the folder of .md files as your vault — your notes are ready to read offline.
OneNote alternative FAQ
Can I import my OneNote notebooks into memrynote?
Not in one click yet — a native OneNote importer is on the roadmap. For now, export your notebooks from OneNote, convert the pages to Markdown with a free tool like Pandoc, and point memrynote at the resulting folder.
Is OneNote end-to-end encrypted?
No. OneNote stores notebooks in OneDrive with encryption in transit and at rest, but not end-to-end — Microsoft can technically read your content. memrynote encrypts every note on your device so the server only ever holds ciphertext.
Does memrynote need a Microsoft account?
No. memrynote works fully offline with no account at all. Optional encrypted sync uses your own memrynote account and is independent of Microsoft.
Does memrynote have mobile apps like OneNote?
Not yet — memrynote is a desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux today. Because your vault is plain Markdown in a folder you own, the files stay readable on any device in the meantime.
Make the switch.
Notes, tasks, calendar, and journal in one local-first app — private by design, open at heart.