Alternatives to FSNotes
An open-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone that stores notes as plain files. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
FSNotes
An open-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone that stores notes as plain files.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as FSNotes.
Obsidian
A notes app that works on a folder of plain Markdown files on your own disk, with links between them.
Obsidian works on a folder of plain Markdown files with backlinks, graph view and plugins across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and is free but closed source.
Bear
Apple-exclusive markdown notes app with tag-based organization and a polished editor.
Bear is an Apple-only Markdown app with tag-based organization and a polished editor, but it is closed source and advanced features like export require a subscription.
Joplin
An open source note and to-do app that syncs end-to-end encrypted through storage you already have.
Joplin is an AGPL-licensed note app with end-to-end encrypted sync and apps on every major platform, though attachments live in Joplin's own storage layout rather than loose files.
Notenik
A free, open-source Mac note-taking app that stores notes as plain-text Markdown files in folders.
Notenik is a free, MIT-licensed Mac app storing plain-text Markdown notes with wiki-style links, but it has no iPhone app and relies on third-party 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 plain Markdown files synced through any cloud folder, with no iPhone app and no built-in encryption.
Octarine
A local-first Markdown note-taking app for macOS that keeps notes as plain files.
Octarine is a freemium, closed-source macOS app that keeps notes as local Markdown files with core features built in, but offers no iPhone app.
QOwnNotes
A plain-text Markdown notepad and todo manager that syncs through Nextcloud or ownCloud, or any file sync you already use.
QOwnNotes is a free GPL-2.0 Markdown notepad for macOS and Linux that syncs through Nextcloud, ownCloud or any file sync, but has no iPhone app.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
iA Writer
Minimalist Markdown writing app focused on the text.
Typora
A polished Markdown editor with live in-place rendering, sold as a one-off purchase rather than a subscription.
Tot
A small text scratchpad for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch that syncs through iCloud.
Markor
An open-source Android text editor for Markdown notes, todo.txt lists and plain text files.
Drafts
An Apple-platform app for capturing text quickly and sending it elsewhere with actions.
