Alternatives to QOwnNotes
A plain-text Markdown notepad and todo manager that syncs through Nextcloud or ownCloud, or any file sync you already use. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
QOwnNotes
A plain-text Markdown notepad and todo manager that syncs through Nextcloud or ownCloud, or any file sync you already use.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as QOwnNotes.
Obsidian
A notes app that works on a folder of plain Markdown files on your own disk, with links between them.
Obsidian also works on plain Markdown files, adds backlinks, graph view, plugins and mobile apps, but it is not open source and has no Nextcloud task integration.
Joplin
An open source note and to-do app that syncs end-to-end encrypted through storage you already have.
Joplin is open source with end-to-end encrypted sync through Nextcloud, WebDAV and others, plus mobile apps, but stores attachments in its own layout rather than plain files.
Logseq
An outliner that stores notes as plain Markdown files, built around a daily journal and linked blocks.
Logseq keeps notes as plain Markdown files in an open source outliner with a daily journal, block linking and apps for Windows, Android and iOS.
Simplenote
Minimal note app that syncs plain-text and Markdown notes across devices.
Simplenote offers free built-in sync of plain-text and Markdown notes across Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, but notes live on Automattic's servers without encryption.
Standard Notes
Encrypted notes built for the long term, where sync is free on unlimited devices and you can host the server.
Standard Notes provides end-to-end encrypted sync with a self-hostable server on all major platforms, but requires an account and its free tier is plain text only.
MindForger
Organize Markdown notes in a personal knowledge workspace.
MindForger is a free GPL-2.0 Markdown knowledge workspace for Windows, macOS and Linux, focused on connections between notes rather than Nextcloud sync or todos.
Zettlr
Write and organize Markdown documents for publication.
Zettlr is a free open source Markdown app for Windows, macOS and Linux aimed at writing and exporting documents for publication rather than notes and todos.
SilverBullet
Keep linked Markdown notes in a self-hosted browser workspace.
SilverBullet keeps linked Markdown notes in a self-hosted browser workspace with queries and extensions, replacing file sync with a server you maintain.
Also worth comparing
These listings name QOwnNotes as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
CherryTree
A hierarchical notebook with rich text and syntax highlighting, storing everything in one file or a folder you control.
QOwnNotes keeps notes as plain Markdown files synced through Nextcloud, ownCloud or any file sync, but Linux is its primary platform and the interface is dense.
FSNotes
An open-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone that stores notes as plain files.
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.
Inkdrop
A Markdown note-taking app for developers with notebooks, tags, encrypted sync and AI features.
QOwnNotes is free GPL-2.0 software storing plain Markdown files synced through Nextcloud, ownCloud or any file sync, with Linux as its primary platform and no mobile app.
Octarine
A local-first Markdown note-taking app for macOS that keeps notes as plain files.
QOwnNotes keeps plain Markdown files and is open source under GPL-2.0, syncing through Nextcloud or any file sync, but its Qt interface is dense rather than native.
VNote
An open-source desktop Markdown note-taking app written in native C++ that keeps notes as local files.
QOwnNotes is a free, open-source Qt Markdown notepad that keeps plain files and syncs through Nextcloud, ownCloud or any file sync tool.
Zim
A desktop wiki that keeps linked notes as plain text files in a folder structure.
QOwnNotes is a GPL-2.0 plain Markdown notepad syncing through Nextcloud, ownCloud or any file sync, primarily built for Linux with macOS support.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Superlist
A task and notes app from the creators of Wunderlist, combining to-do lists, notes and projects.
Typora
A polished Markdown editor with live in-place rendering, sold as a one-off purchase rather than a subscription.
MarkText
A Markdown editor that shows formatted text as you type, with no preview pane and no syntax symbols in the way.
Markor
An open-source Android text editor for Markdown notes, todo.txt lists and plain text files.
ghostwriter
Write Markdown in a distraction-free desktop editor.
