Alternatives to Joplin

An open source note and to-do app that syncs end-to-end encrypted through storage you already have. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Joplin.

  • Obsidian

    A notes app that works on a folder of plain Markdown files on your own disk, with links between them.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Obsidian stores notes as plain Markdown files with backlinks and a large plugin ecosystem, but it is not open source and sync needs Obsidian Sync or your own tool.

  • Standard Notes

    Encrypted notes built for the long term, where sync is free on unlimited devices and you can host the server.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSWebSelf-hosted

    Standard Notes keeps end-to-end encryption and adds free sync on unlimited devices and a web app, but requires an account and editors are paid.

  • Notesnook

    An end-to-end encrypted note app where the company cannot read your notes, with clients on every platform and full source published.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxWeb

    Notesnook is open source with end-to-end encryption and a web client, but it requires an account and self-hosting its sync server is not straightforward.

  • Logseq

    An outliner that stores notes as plain Markdown files, built around a daily journal and linked blocks.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Logseq is open source and stores notes as Markdown files as a daily journal outliner with block linking, though its database version is still in beta.

  • Simplenote

    Minimal note app that syncs plain-text and Markdown notes across devices.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

    Simplenote offers free unlimited sync of plain-text notes, but has no encryption of note contents, no attachments and no iOS app listed.

  • TriliumNext Notes

    A hierarchical note app where one note can live in several places at once, with a server you can host.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxWebSelf-hosted

    TriliumNext Notes adds a self-hosted server, cloning notes into several places and per-note encryption, but has no official mobile app and uses a database.

  • QOwnNotes

    A plain-text Markdown notepad and todo manager that syncs through Nextcloud or ownCloud, or any file sync you already use.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinux

    QOwnNotes keeps plain Markdown files synced through Nextcloud, ownCloud or any file sync, but Linux is its primary platform and there are no mobile apps.

  • SiYuan

    A block-based notes workspace with Markdown that renders as you type, and an option to self-host it.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSSelf-hosted

    SiYuan is open source with block references, SQL queries and self-hosting, but notes live in its own store and official sync is a subscription.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Joplin as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Apple Notes

    Apple's built-in notes app with sync, sketches, and text recognition.

    FreeProprietarymacOSiOS

    Joplin is open source with apps on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS and end-to-end encrypted sync through storage you already use, though its interface is less polished.

  • Bear

    Apple-exclusive markdown notes app with tag-based organization and a polished editor.

    FreemiumProprietarymacOSiOS

    Joplin is free and open source with apps on every major platform and end-to-end encrypted sync, though its editor feels less polished than commercial apps.

  • CherryTree

    A hierarchical notebook with rich text and syntax highlighting, storing everything in one file or a folder you control.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsLinux

    Joplin adds macOS and mobile apps with end-to-end encrypted sync through services like Nextcloud or Dropbox, using notebooks rather than deep node trees.

  • MindForger

    Organize Markdown notes in a personal knowledge workspace.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Joplin adds end-to-end encrypted sync through Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive and others plus mobile apps, but attachments live in its own storage layout rather than loose files.

  • RedNotebook

    Keep a searchable desktop journal with dated entries.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsLinux

    Joplin is an open source note app with end-to-end encrypted sync and mobile apps, but it has no dedicated calendar-style journal of dated entries.

  • SilverBullet

    Keep linked Markdown notes in a self-hosted browser workspace.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hostedWeb

    Joplin is an open source desktop and mobile note app that syncs with end-to-end encryption through existing storage, rather than a browser workspace on your server.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.