Alternatives to Standard Notes

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

  • 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 also end-to-end encrypted with published client code and a usable free tier, but self-hosting its sync server is not straightforward.

  • Joplin

    An open source note and to-do app that syncs end-to-end encrypted through storage you already have.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Joplin offers end-to-end encrypted sync through your own Nextcloud, Dropbox or S3 storage, works offline without an account, and is free.

  • Anytype

    An encrypted, offline-first workspace for notes, tasks and databases that syncs peer to peer.

    FreemiumWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Anytype keeps data on your device with encrypted peer-to-peer sync and adds databases, but it is source-available, beta, and has no web app.

  • Simplenote

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

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

    Simplenote gives free plain-text sync across devices with version history, but notes are not encrypted on Automattic's servers and there is no iOS app listed.

  • Obsidian

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

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Obsidian offers a local-only mode on plain Markdown files with no account, but is not open source and has no built-in encryption 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 is free with a self-hosted sync server and per-note encryption, but has no official mobile app and stores notes in a database.

  • UpNote

    A cross-platform notes app with rich text, Markdown support, nested notebooks and automatic sync.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSBrowser extension

    UpNote gives a rich editor with Markdown and attachments across desktop and mobile with automatic sync, but is closed source without listed end-to-end encryption.

  • Reflect

    An end-to-end encrypted note app with backlinked notes, calendar integration and an AI assistant.

    PaidProprietaryiOSWeb

    Reflect is end-to-end encrypted with backlinks and calendar integration, but it is paid after the trial, closed source and available on iOS and web.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Standard Notes 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

    Standard Notes adds end-to-end encryption and free sync on unlimited devices across every platform, but the free tier is plain text only and an account is required.

  • Bear

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

    FreemiumProprietarymacOSiOS

    Standard Notes adds end-to-end encryption and free sync on all platforms, but its free tier is plain text only and editors are a paid feature.

  • Google Keep

    A note service from Google for quick notes, checklists and reminders that sync across devices.

    FreeProprietaryWeb

    Standard Notes adds end-to-end encryption with free sync on unlimited devices and optional self-hosting, though the free tier is plain text only and an account is required.

  • Inkdrop

    A Markdown note-taking app for developers with notebooks, tags, encrypted sync and AI features.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Standard Notes is open source with end-to-end encryption, free sync on unlimited devices and a self-hostable server, though the free tier is plain text only and editors are paid.

  • Markor

    An open-source Android text editor for Markdown notes, todo.txt lists and plain text files.

    FreeOpen sourceAndroid

    Standard Notes adds end-to-end encrypted sync on unlimited devices across Android, desktop and web, but requires an account and editors beyond plain text are paid.

  • Nextcloud Notes

    A distraction-free Markdown notes app for Nextcloud that stores notes as files on your server.

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    Standard Notes has a documented self-hostable server with end-to-end encryption and apps on every platform, but requires an account and the free tier is plain text only.

  • QOwnNotes

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

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinux

    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.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.