Open Source Notes AlternativesNote-taking Tools & Todo List Managers like Notes

The best open source alternative to Notes is Joplin. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Notes and loads of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Notes are Notesnook, Zim, CherryTree and Beaver Notes.

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Most Notes alternatives are Note-taking Tools, but you can also narrow the list to Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools. Other popular filters are Android and Open Source. You can also filter for EU-based alternatives if you prefer software from the European Union.
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Alternatives
Notes alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Joplin icon
     946 likes

    Open source app for managing notes and to-dos with Markdown support. Syncs seamlessly across devices using services like Dropbox and OneDrive. Offers end-to-end encrypted synchronicity, offline access, rich import/export options, and a Web Clipper for browsers.

    236 Joplin alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    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
    Good alternative?
     
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  2. Notesnook icon
     224 likes

    Offers open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes with device-based privacy, cross-platform support, private vault, secure sync, offline access, markdown editor, exports to multiple formats, automatic backups, organizational tools, and strong encryption.

    403 Notesnook alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    • Self-Hosted
    Good alternative?
     
  3. Zim icon
     521 likes

    Zim brings the concept of a wiki to your desktop. Store information, link pages and edit with WYSISYG markup or directly typing some lightweight markup syntax and see it previewed as-you-type. Creating a new page is easy by either clicking on the "Create new note"...

    362 Zim alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU
    Zim screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  4. CherryTree icon
     335 likes

    Hierarchical note-taking software that is free, open-source, cross-platform. Features include rich text, syntax highlighting, multi-level lists, embedded files, customizable interface, code execution, PDF export, spell check, images & tables, and comprehensive project management support.

    156 CherryTree alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    Good alternative?
     
  5. HelixNotes icon
     30 likes

    HelixNotes is a local markdown note-taking app built with Rust, Tauri 2.0, and SvelteKit. Your notes are standard .md files on your filesystem - sync with whatever you want or nothing at all.

    165 HelixNotes alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    Good alternative?
     
  6. Cryptee icon
     114 likes

    Encrypted, privacy-focused digital storage with zero-knowledge architecture supporting document editing, notes, journals, and photo storage with raw DSLR support, live sync, markdown, code, LaTeX, to-dos, audio, tables, EPUB, PDF, and cross-platform access.

    106 Cryptee alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Good alternative?
     
  7. Blinko icon
     33 likes

    Open-source note-taking tool offering AI-enhanced retrieval with RAG technology, secure self-hosted data storage, Markdown support, and transparent community collaboration on GitHub for efficient, private, and effortless note management.

    125 Blinko alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    • Online
    Good alternative?
     
  8. jotty·page icon
     17 likes

    Lightweight, self-hosted app for managing personal checklists and notes with drag and drop, progress bars, Kanban boards, Markdown WYSIWYG editor, file-based data, user management, sharing options, themes, open source, and API access.

    160 jotty·page alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    Good alternative?
     
  9. Turtl icon
     180 likes

    Whether it's bookmarks or passwords, files or shopping lists...Turtl organizes it all and makes it easy to find later. Sync across your devices. Leave nothing behind.

    209 Turtl alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    • US flagUnited States
    Turtl screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  10. Anchor icon
     18 likes

    Offline-first, self-hostable note app supporting rich text formatting, tag-based organization, customizable backgrounds, pinning, search, archiving, admin management, trash recovery, mobile and web access, sync, privacy safeguards, and dark or light themes.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    Good alternative?
     
  11. Rnote icon
     39 likes

    Rnote aims to be a simple but functional note taking application for freehand drawing or annotating pictures or documents. It eventually should be able to import / export various media file formats.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Good alternative?
     
12 of 64 Notes alternatives