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Org-roam vs Denote: catalog facts
Org-roam	Denote
Free Free and open source under the GPL version 3 or later.	Free Free and available from GNU ELPA.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Plain-text notes that stay fully under your control Backlinks and a graph view for connecting ideas	Plain-text notes with predictable file names No database or lock-in
Requires Emacs and familiarity with Org mode No mobile app of its own	Requires Emacs and some familiarity with it No mobile app
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-3.0-or-later	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Works offline	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.