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OneNote is primarily a PC app, but the Apple Pencil has made the iPad version stand out, especially if you prefer handwriting your notes. However, there are some features you might be missing out on if you’re not using the PC version of OneNote.
The biggest difference between these versions is that on a Mac, you’re more likely to type your notes, while on an iPad, you can easily handwrite them with an active stylus. The drawing feature is naturally better on the iPad, while the PC version excels at handling text. OneNote is unique in being available on all major operating systems, but the inconsistencies across platforms make it necessary to compare the app on each.
For example, Sticky Notes are exclusive to the iPad version, providing a handy way to keep track of tasks without leaving the app. On a Mac, you have to use the web version to access Sticky Notes, and you miss out on features like switching between Samsung Notes and Sticky Notes, which is available on the iPad.
When customizing fonts in your notes, you might want to keep headings, subtitles, and highlights consistent. The Format Painter on the PC version allows you to quickly apply existing formatting to other text, saving time and effort. Unfortunately, this feature isn’t available on the iPad.
Superscripts and subscripts are easier to use on a Mac because they’re available on the toolbar. On an iPad, you need a special keyboard app, which can be inconvenient.
Both versions support various bullet points for creating lists, but the Mac version offers more options—nine starting bullet points compared to the iPad’s default dotted bullet. The same goes for numbered lists, where the Mac provides more flexibility.
If you need to clear formatting changes on a Mac, you can do so with a single click. On an iPad, you’ll have to undo each change manually, which can be time-consuming.
The iPad version offers more tags—23 compared to just five on the Mac. However, the Mac allows you to create custom tags, naming them and choosing an icon (though options are limited). Hopefully, emoji icons will be available in the future, as they’re more intuitive.
Even though the iPad has more tags, custom tags on the Mac may be more useful, especially since you can search specifically through your tags. This makes organizing and finding your notes much easier.
Both versions have a 100 MB limit for inserting files, but on a Mac, you can upload to OneDrive and insert a link, which might be better depending on your workflow. This option isn’t available on the iPad.
Audio recording on the iPad isn’t very practical because you can’t use the app while recording. If you need to take notes while recording audio, the PC version is better, offering a more advanced playback interface and the ability to add bookmarks to your audio.
The Web Clipper extension lets you save information from the internet directly to OneNote, choosing a specific notebook and section, and even adding notes—great for research.
On a Mac, you can recover deleted notes, which isn’t possible on the iPad. You can view deleted notes and restore them to any notebook or section, a feature that’s particularly useful.
The Mac version also offers an additional level of organization for your notes by allowing you to group sections, which will then appear on the iPad. This highlights the benefits of using both versions together.
However, the Mac version lacks page size options, which are available in the Windows version of OneNote. These inconsistencies across platforms can be frustrating.
What features do you like most about the PC version of OneNote?
