Microsoft OneNote Free Plan 2026: What's Included & What's Not
Honest breakdown of the free tier limits and features
Microsoft OneNote pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $0 to $19.99 per month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.
Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.
- Free tier: No free tier available
- Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
- Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Microsoft OneNote's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit.
What's Included in the Free Plan
- Basic note-taking
- Web and mobile access
- 5GB OneDrive storage
What's NOT Included (Paid Only)
- OneNote desktop app
- 1TB OneDrive storage
- Premium Office apps
- 1 user
You'll Need to Upgrade When...
- You exceed the user limit
- You need features like OneNote desktop app or 1TB OneDrive storage
- You require premium support or SLA guarantees
- You need to remove branding or watermarks
- You need advanced integrations or API access
Hidden Restrictions on Free Plan
- Microsoft OneNote branding may appear on your content or communications
- Support is limited to community forums or email with longer response times
- Export options may be restricted or include watermarks
- API access is typically limited or not available
- Advanced reporting and analytics require paid plans
Free vs Paid: Which Do You Need?
Free Plan is Enough If...
- You're an individual or very small team
- You need only basic features
- You don't mind usage limits
- Branding on output is acceptable
- Community support is sufficient
You Need Paid If...
- Your team is growing beyond limits
- You need advanced features
- Professional branding is required
- You need priority support
- Integrations/API access is critical
Free vs Microsoft 365 Personal Plan Comparison
| OneNote Free $0 | Microsoft 365 Personal $9.99/ | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 3 included | 4+ included |
| Support | Community/Email | Priority Support |
| Branding | Microsoft OneNote branding | Your branding |
| Best For | Individual personal use | Individual professionals |
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is Microsoft OneNote free?
Yes, Microsoft OneNote offers a forever free plan with 3 core features included. However, there are limits on users and features that may require upgrading.
02 What's included in Microsoft OneNote's free plan?
Microsoft OneNote's free plan includes: Basic note-taking, Web and mobile access, 5GB OneDrive storage. Key limits include basic usage caps.
03 What's NOT included in Microsoft OneNote's free plan?
The free plan excludes: OneNote desktop app, 1TB OneDrive storage, Premium Office apps, 1 user. You'll also have Microsoft OneNote branding and limited support options.
04 When should I upgrade from Microsoft OneNote's free plan?
Consider upgrading when: you hit user or storage limits, need features like OneNote desktop app or 1TB OneDrive storage, require premium support, or want to remove branding. The cheapest paid plan starts at $9.99/month.
05 Is Microsoft OneNote's free plan really free forever?
Yes, Microsoft OneNote's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit. However, feature and usage limits may restrict what you can do without upgrading to a paid plan.
Get Microsoft OneNote pricing updates
We'll notify you when pricing changes or new free features are added.