# Open source OneNote alternatives for AI agents

2 alternatives to OneNote. 2 have an interface an agent can drive. 2 are open source.

Page: alternatives/onenote.html

## Poznote

Self-hosted note-taking app with a REST API and an MCP server of about 60 tools.

- Listing: apps/timothepoznanski--poznote.html
- JSON: apps/timothepoznanski--poznote.json
- License: MIT
- Agent interface: MCP server, from the builder
- Reach: 9 of 10 jobs
- Last activity: 2026-11-05
- Effort: config-only
- Agent cannot reach: Manage users, OIDC sign-in and webhooks
- Use it when: you want a self-hosted notes app your coding agent can read and write over MCP
- Use it when: you want read-only, write or admin scopes on what an agent may touch in your notes
- Gotcha: MCP is HTTP only and published on 127.0.0.1 by default; set POZNOTE_MCP_AUTH_TOKEN before exposing it
- Gotcha: In classic mode any client that reaches the MCP port can act on any profile
- Gotcha: MCP tools above POZNOTE_MCP_SCOPE are not registered at all
- Gotcha: Local accounts start with default passwords listed in docs/API-REST.md; change them before exposing Poznote
- Gotcha: PikaPods and the other hosts on poznote.com/hosting.html are third parties with their own prices

## Joplin

Open-source notes app with an in-app MCP server, a local Data API, and paid Joplin Cloud sync.

- Listing: apps/laurent22--joplin.html
- JSON: apps/laurent22--joplin.json
- License: AGPL-3.0-or-later
- Agent interface: MCP server, from the builder
- Reach: 5 of 9 jobs
- Last activity: 2026-09-03
- Agent cannot reach: Upload attachments and resources; Sync, encryption, sharing, and publishing; Plugins and web clipper
- Use it when: you already keep years of notes in Joplin and want Claude to search and write them without leaving the app
- Use it when: you want encrypted cross-device notes and are happy to pay a few euros a month for sync
- Gotcha: The MCP server runs inside the desktop app; the app must be open and the service enabled
- Gotcha: packages/server (Joplin Server) is under a Personal Use License, not AGPL; business self-hosting requires the paid Joplin Server Business
- Gotcha: Notebook delete and resource upload are not in the MCP tool set; fall back to the Data API on port 41184

## Questions

### Is there an open source alternative to OneNote?

Yes. Both listings here are open source: Poznote (MIT), Joplin (AGPL-3.0-or-later).

### Which OneNote alternatives have an MCP server?

Poznote and Joplin have MCP servers from their builders.

### Which OneNote alternative can an agent do the most with?

Poznote: 9 of 10 recorded jobs reachable. Jobs differ by listing, so read each list before you choose.