Alternatives to Zim
A desktop wiki that keeps linked notes as plain text files in a folder structure. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Zim
A desktop wiki that keeps linked notes as plain text files in a folder structure.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Zim.
CherryTree
A hierarchical notebook with rich text and syntax highlighting, storing everything in one file or a folder you control.
CherryTree is a GPL-3.0 hierarchical notebook for Windows and Linux with rich text and code highlighting, stored in a single file rather than plain text pages.
Obsidian
A notes app that works on a folder of plain Markdown files on your own disk, with links between them.
Obsidian uses plain Markdown files instead of wiki markup, adds macOS and mobile apps, graph view and plugins, but is closed source.
TiddlyWiki
A non-linear personal notebook that runs as a single self-contained HTML file in a browser.
TiddlyWiki keeps a linked, tagged personal wiki in one portable HTML file running in the browser, instead of a folder of text files.
TriliumNext Notes
A hierarchical note app where one note can live in several places at once, with a server you can host.
TriliumNext Notes is an AGPL hierarchical note app with a self-hosted sync server and note cloning, but stores notes in a database rather than plain files.
VNote
An open-source desktop Markdown note-taking app written in native C++ that keeps notes as local files.
VNote is an LGPL native desktop Markdown notebook for Windows, macOS and Linux keeping notes as local files, using Markdown instead of wiki markup.
VimWiki
A Vim plugin that turns linked plain-text files into a personal wiki with its own syntax.
VimWiki turns linked plain-text files into a personal wiki inside Vim, requiring familiarity with Vim instead of a graphical desktop editor.
MindForger
Organize Markdown notes in a personal knowledge workspace.
MindForger is a GPL Markdown knowledge workspace for Windows, macOS and Linux that connects related notes.
RedNotebook
Keep a searchable desktop journal with dated entries.
RedNotebook is a GPL-2.0 desktop journal for Windows and Linux with dated, searchable entries and tags, covering Zim's journal use but not its linked wiki.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Zim as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
nb
A command-line and local web tool for plain text notes, bookmarks and a Git-backed knowledge base.
Zim is a desktop wiki for Windows and Linux storing linked notes as plain text files with a version control plugin, using a graphical interface and its own markup.
Org mode
A GNU Emacs major mode for notes, outlines, to-do lists and documents kept in plain text.
Zim is a desktop wiki storing linked notes as plain text files with plugins for tasks, but it uses its own markup and runs only on Windows and Linux.
QOwnNotes
A plain-text Markdown notepad and todo manager that syncs through Nextcloud or ownCloud, or any file sync you already use.
Zim keeps linked plain-text notes in a folder on Windows and Linux with task plugins, but uses its own wiki markup instead of Markdown.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Logseq
An outliner that stores notes as plain Markdown files, built around a daily journal and linked blocks.
Joplin
An open source note and to-do app that syncs end-to-end encrypted through storage you already have.
Wiki.js
Modern self-hosted wiki with Markdown editing and Git synchronisation.
Markor
An open-source Android text editor for Markdown notes, todo.txt lists and plain text files.
