Free Self-Hosted Evernote Alternatives

Evernote is not available as a self-hosted solution but there are plenty of alternatives for power users and business that want to host a solution on-premise. The best free Self-Hosted alternative is Joplin, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Evernote and 11 are free and available as a self-hosted solution so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Self-Hosted alternatives to Evernote are Standard Notes, Turtl, Logseq and TiddlyWiki.

filter to find the best alternatives

Evernote alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools, but if you're looking for Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows, iPad, Self-Hosted, Open Source, Linux, Android and Mac. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Evernote.
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Alternatives list

  1. Joplin icon

    Joplin

     865 likes
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    Joplin is a free, open-source alternative to Evernote, known for its Markdown support, encryption, and cross-platform compatibility. While Evernote offers seamless cloud syncing and text formatting, Joplin excels in privacy and customization. Choose Joplin for technical expertise and security.

    105 Joplin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Termux
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Desktop and mobile apps
     
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    25
    179
    Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Evernote
    Comment summary: Joplin is often praised as a strong alternative to Evernote, particularly for its open-source nature, cross-platform support, and markdown capabilities. Users appreciate its effective import feature from Evernote, robust synchronization options, and encryption features. However, it lacks WYSIWYG editing and background sync capabilities on mobile devices. Learning Markdown may be necessary, and while it excels in privacy and customization, Evernote remains a more mature and collaborative product.
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    14

    PRO:

    • markdown ?
    • let you encrypt your notes
    • save them on your computer(backup with thirdparty backupsoftware)
    • free, Open Source
    • crossplatform

    CON:

    • no OCR
    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    mandrael
    6

    Joplin is a quite okay alternative to Evernote, but it has its issues. 1) the mobile sync doesn't work in the background, so it doesn't work sufficiently. Issue on Android and iOS. It only syncs if you watch it. No background-sync (!!). 2) It's not WYSIWYG and you can't do several common things you can do with Evernote or Nimbus. Joplin has to improve in sync and user-friendlyness. Then it can really compete. But: it has the best Evernote import feature on the market. This worked flawlessly!

    Eduardo3382
    Positive
    1

    There is a large community behind this app that can assist you if you find some problem.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 25 comments
    Evernote Icon
    Joplin icon

    • Most users think Joplin is a great Evernote alternative.

    • Joplin is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to Evernote.

    • Joplin is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Evernote.

    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceEvernote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Joplin is Privacy focused, Lightweight and MinimalisticEvernote is not according to our users
  2. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     682 likes
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    Though Standard Notes only supports text entry out of the box, it has its own advantages compared to Evernote. Its features can also be expanded with extensions. It's end-to-end encrypted, open source (but freemium), and has no device limit. It can synchronize your notes to as many supported devices as you want. Our users find that it does not feature multilingual support, however.

    116 Standard Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Standard Notes homepage.
     
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    12
    100
    Comments about Standard Notes as an Alternative to Evernote
    Comment summary: Standard Notes is praised for its security, privacy, and open-source nature. It offers end-to-end encryption, multiplatform support including Linux, and options to extend its functionality through plugins, such as Markdown. Users appreciate its reliable sync capabilities and active development, though some note the lack of multilingual support and limited handling of images or attachments. Considered a solid alternative to Evernote for users prioritizing privacy and simplicity.
    Top Positive Comment
    a a
    3

    Not good as joplin because almost all features are paid

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    15

    Does not support images or attachments, only text.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    RemovedUser
    Positive
    2

    Standard Notes is the service that I can trust to not share and read my notes.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 12 comments
    Evernote Icon
    Standard Notes icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Standard Notes is a great Evernote alternative.

    • Standard Notes is Freemium and Open SourceEvernote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Standard Notes is Privacy focused, Minimalistic, Security-focused and CustomizableEvernote is not according to our users
  4. Turtl icon

    Turtl

     178 likes
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    Turtl is open source and encrypted end-to-end, so it's desirable as an Evernote alternative from a privacy standpoint. However, its development has ceased since 2019. It also lacks some of the more intricate features of Evernote and some of its highest rated alternatives, such as the ability to import notes from other programs.

    186 Turtl alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    Turtl screenshot 1
     
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    6
    77
    Comments about Turtl as an Alternative to Evernote
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    10

    Turtl stores your info encrypted, unlike Evernote. Much more private.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    AnonAT
    6

    Windows versions do not work properly. There is very little documentation and a poor forum.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Client-side AES encryption (private), open-source and free syncing. Markdown support, attachments, bookmarks, browser plugins and apps for Win, OsX, Linux and Android. Best used for simple notes, but it's infinitely better than, say Simplenote and much more private than Evernote.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 6 comments
    Evernote Icon
    Turtl icon

    • Most users think Turtl is a great Evernote alternative.

    • Turtl is Freemium and Open SourceEvernote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Turtl is Privacy focusedEvernote is not according to our users
  5. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     314 likes
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    Local-first, privacy-focused notebook supporting Markdown and Emacs Org mode. Offers offline use, encrypted backups, plugin extensibility, LaTeX support, real-time collaboration, and hierarchical organization for personal knowledge management.

    161 Logseq alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Logseq screenshot 1
     
  6. TiddlyWiki icon

    TiddlyWiki

     306 likes
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    TiddlyWiki is a single html file with all the characteristics of a wiki - including all of the functionality (including editing, saving, tagging and searching) and the style sheet. Because its a single file, its very portable - you can email it, put it on a web server or share...

    176 TiddlyWiki alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Xfce
    • RemoteStorage
    TiddlyWiki screenshot 1
     
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    1
    29
    Comments about TiddlyWiki as an Alternative to Evernote
    Tarcilio Neto
    Positive
    0

    Although the approach is different, it is an alternative for other platforms in regards to note-taking in which Evernote does not cover (self-hosting mostly).

    Evernote Icon
    TiddlyWiki icon

    • Most users think TiddlyWiki is a great Evernote alternative.

    • TiddlyWiki is Free and Open SourceEvernote is Freemium and Proprietary
    • TiddlyWiki is CustomizableEvernote is not according to our users
  7. Trilium Notes icon

    Trilium Notes

     109 likes
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    The original trilium is transfered to this repo by its owner and the app continues to develop here as stated here: https://github.com/TriliumNext/Trilium

    369 Trilium Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Cloudron
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Trilium Notes screenshot 1
     
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    7
  9. Mimiri Notes icon

    Mimiri Notes

     18 likes
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    Secure device-synced notepad using AES-GCM-256 encryption to protect confidential data. Features include a tree-structure for note organization, historical changes tracking, and collaboration options. Supports all major platforms with cloud sync and offline access.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Main app window - Dark mode
     
  10. Notemod icon

    Notemod

     4 likes
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    At Notemod, we believe that taking notes should be simple, powerful, and accessible to everyone. Whether you're a student, professional, or creative thinker, Notemod is designed to streamline your note-taking experience with a modern touch.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Notemod screenshot 1
     
  11. Rocketnotes icon

    Rocketnotes

     3 likes
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    Rocketnotes is a web-based Markdown note taking app with AI-powered text completion. You can sign up for free or deploy it with low effort to your personal AWS account. Check out the installation guides for deploying Rocketnotes at AWS or running it on your local machine with...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    • Mac
    • Online
    Rocketnotes screenshot 1
     
  12. SimplyNote icon

    SimplyNote

     Like
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    SimplyNote is a lightweight note-taking app that stores your notes in Google Drive. Organize notes with tags and stars, and quickly find what you need with fast search.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Self-Hosted
    Android Apps
     
  13. Lithic PKMS icon

    Lithic PKMS

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    Lithic is a bespoke Personal Knowledge Management System (PKMS) built on the powerful TiddlyWiki engine, re-engineered for a modern academic and engineering workflow. It bridges the gap between the database flexibility of TiddlyWiki and the rapid, outlining experience of Logseq.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Lithic PKMS screenshot 1
     
11 of 11 Evernote alternatives