Milanote vs OneNote: What are the differences?

Introduction

Milanote and OneNote are two popular tools used for note-taking and organization. While both applications offer similar functionalities, there are some key differences that set them apart. Here, we will explore and compare these differences in detail.

1. User Interface and Organization: Milanote provides a visually appealing and intuitive interface that resembles a virtual pinboard, making it easy to arrange and connect ideas using boards, images, and notes. OneNote, on the other hand, offers a more traditional digital notebook approach, organizing notes into sections and pages. Milanote's visual layout is better suited for creative brainstorming, while OneNote's hierarchical structure is ideal for more structured note-taking and academic purposes.

2. Collaboration and Sharing: Milanote allows real-time collaboration, enabling multiple users to work together on the same board simultaneously. Users can invite collaborators and assign specific roles for editing or viewing access. OneNote also supports collaboration, but the sharing process can often be more complex, often requiring the use of cloud storage services like OneDrive. Milanote's collaborative features are more simple and user-friendly.

3. Integrations and Cross-Platform Support: Milanote offers integrations with popular apps like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Adobe Creative Cloud, making it convenient to import and export content. It is also available as a web application, desktop app (Windows and macOS), and a mobile app (iOS). OneNote, on the other hand, is closely integrated with the Microsoft Office suite and offers seamless integration with other Microsoft products like Outlook and Teams. It is accessible on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

4. Note-taking Flexibility: Milanote allows users to capture ideas using different media, including text, images, links, audio, and video. Its visual interface supports creative workflows, making it easy to incorporate and manipulate images and visual content. OneNote offers similar features, but it excels at text-based note-taking and has advanced text formatting options, making it more suitable for extensive note-taking in an academic or professional setting.

5. Search and Organization: Milanote offers a comprehensive search feature that allows users to search for specific text, tags, or content within notes. It also provides a flexible organizational structure with the ability to create sub-boards and backlinks between notes. OneNote, on the other hand, offers a powerful search function that can even recognize handwritten notes and images. Its hierarchical organization system allows users to create and nest notebooks, sections, and pages.

6. Pricing and Availability: Milanote offers a free plan that provides basic features and limitations on the number of boards and file attachments. Its premium plan provides unlimited access to all features and costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year. OneNote, on the other hand, is free to use and comes bundled with the Microsoft Office suite. It does not have a separate premium plan but may require a Microsoft 365 subscription for additional features like offline access and advanced collaboration tools.

In summary, Milanote offers a visually-oriented and flexible platform for creative brainstorming and collaboration, while OneNote provides a more structured and text-centric approach to note-taking. The choice between these tools ultimately depends on the specific needs and preferences of the user.