Note-taking apps differ less in what they store and more in who controls the data.

Xournal++ (/ˌzɚnl̟ˌplʌsˈplʌs/) is a FLOSS note-taking software for PDF documents. It is a modern rewrite of [Xournal](https://sourceforge.net/projects/xournal/) which is extremely featureful.

Why consider the swap

If you currently rely on Microsoft OneNote and want more control over data, lower long-term costs, or a privacy-friendly licensing model, Xournal++ covers most of the same ground.

What you trade off

Most privacy-friendly alternatives require more setup than their commercial counterparts and may lag on polish, mobile apps, or ecosystem integrations. Check the project’s documentation for current feature parity with Microsoft OneNote before committing.

Where to start

• Project page: Xournal++
• Comparison reference: Microsoft OneNote

This recommendation is indexed from switching.software. Read their full project notes for the latest changes.