JoplinLinux
vs
Microsoft OneNoteWindows
Joplin as a Linux alternative to Microsoft OneNote
Updated
Our verdict
Joplin can serve as a solid OneNote replacement for users who are comfortable with Markdown and don’t need real‑time multi‑user collaboration. It covers the core notebook‑section‑page hierarchy, rich media embedding, offline access and cross‑device sync, all without a proprietary cloud. Power users who rely on OneNote’s tight integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, native .one file handling, or built‑in collaborative editing may find Joplin lacking, but anyone who values open formats, local control and encryption will feel at home.
- License
- AGPL-3.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.7.21 (September 25, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Notebook, section and page hierarchy","Ability to embed text, images, audio and drawings","Searchable notes with tag support","Offline editing and cross‑device sync","Export to PDF or HTML
What is different
- No native .one import/export – conversion required","No real‑time collaborative editing within a notebook","Limited drawing tools compared to OneNote’s ink features","No built‑in integration with Microsoft Office suite","No automatic OCR of handwritten notes
Opening your Microsoft OneNote files
Joplin cannot open Microsoft OneNote .one files directly. You would need to export OneNote content to a format Joplin understands (e.g., PDF, HTML or plain text) or use a third‑party conversion tool before importing. Export from Joplin to PDF or HTML works, but round‑tripping .one files is not supported.
Switching from Microsoft OneNote to Joplin, step by step
- Export your OneNote notebooks to PDF or HTML via the Windows client
- Create matching notebooks in Joplin
- Use Joplin’s Import → Import from file to bring in the exported documents
- Add tags or reorganise as needed
- Configure sync (e.g., Nextcloud or Dropbox) to keep notes across devices
Key features of Joplin
- Markdown‑based notes with live preview
- Notebook hierarchy and tag system
- Import from Evernote (.enex) and plain Markdown
- Sync via Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV or local folder
- Web clipper extensions for Firefox and Chrome
- End‑to‑end encryption option
- Desktop, terminal and mobile clients
- Export to PDF, HTML or raw Markdown
How to install Joplin on Linux
flatpak install flathub net.cozic.joplin_desktopFrequently asked questions
Can Joplin sync with OneDrive like OneNote?
Yes, Joplin can use OneDrive as a sync target, but it stores notes as plain Markdown files rather than OneNote’s proprietary format.
Is there a web version of Joplin for quick access?
Joplin does not provide a hosted web app; you need a desktop, mobile or terminal client, though you can serve the sync folder via a web server for manual access.
Will my notes be encrypted during sync?
Joplin offers optional end‑to‑end encryption; enable it in the sync settings to encrypt data before it leaves your device.
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