Alternatives to Denote
An Emacs note-taking package that organises plain-text notes through a predictable, descriptive file naming scheme. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Denote
An Emacs note-taking package that organises plain-text notes through a predictable, descriptive file naming scheme.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Denote.
Org-roam
An Emacs package for linked, plain-text personal knowledge management built on Org mode files.
Org-roam is a GPL-3.0 Emacs package for linked Org mode notes with backlinks, a graph view and GPG encryption, relying on Org mode rather than file naming.
Org mode
A GNU Emacs major mode for notes, outlines, to-do lists and documents kept in plain text.
Org mode is the GPL-3.0 Emacs mode for notes, outlines, tasks and agenda in plain text files, without Denote's file naming scheme for organising notes.
zk
A command-line tool for maintaining a plain-text Markdown Zettelkasten or personal wiki.
zk is a command-line tool for a plain-text Markdown Zettelkasten that works with any text editor, removing the need for Emacs.
Foam
A personal knowledge management system built on Visual Studio Code and plain Markdown files.
Foam builds a linked Markdown knowledge base with wikilinks and graph view inside Visual Studio Code, switching the editor from Emacs to VS Code.
Obsidian
A notes app that works on a folder of plain Markdown files on your own disk, with links between them.
Obsidian manages a folder of plain Markdown files with links, backlinks and graph view in a standalone app with mobile clients, but it is not open source.
VimWiki
A Vim plugin that turns linked plain-text files into a personal wiki with its own syntax.
VimWiki moves plain-text linked notes into Vim with its own wiki syntax and website export, requiring Vim instead of Emacs and offering no built-in sync.
The Archive
A plain-text Zettelkasten note-taking app for macOS that stores notes as Markdown files.
The Archive is a paid macOS Zettelkasten app storing notes as plain Markdown files, giving a graphical interface instead of Emacs.
nb
A command-line and local web tool for plain text notes, bookmarks and a Git-backed knowledge base.
nb keeps plain text notes and bookmarks with Git-backed versioning from the command line, working with any text editor instead of Emacs.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Denote as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
jrnl
A command-line journal that stores entries in plain text files, with optional AES encryption.
Denote keeps plain-text notes with predictable file names inside Emacs, and its companion packages cover journals, but it requires Emacs instead of a standalone command.
Neorg
A Neovim plugin and file format for notes, tasks and organising your life inside the editor.
Denote organises plain-text notes in Emacs through predictable file names with no database, and has companion packages for journals, but requires Emacs.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Emanote
A tool that turns a folder of Markdown notes into a linked, browsable website.
Zettlr
Write and organize Markdown documents for publication.
Logseq
An outliner that stores notes as plain Markdown files, built around a daily journal and linked blocks.
MindForger
Organize Markdown notes in a personal knowledge workspace.
