Compare software

Denote vs Foam: catalog facts
Denote	Foam
Free Free and available from GNU ELPA.	Free Free and open source with no subscription.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Plain-text notes with predictable file names No database or lock-in	Notes stored as standard Markdown files Wikilinks, backlinks, embeds and graph view
Requires Emacs and some familiarity with it No mobile app	Requires Visual Studio Code No dedicated mobile app
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.