CherryTree
337 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.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
- Flatpak
Features
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Recent activities
- Radu GT liked CherryTree
CorreaRicardo98 added CherryTree as alternative to Libreta
Paul added CherryTree as alternative to Opensidian- humble-advisor liked CherryTree
Alex-Semenov added CherryTree as alternative to Semacheck
danieldeng2 added CherryTree as alternative to MarbleMD
DavidBoissevain added CherryTree as alternative to Fyka Notes
Gareth-Brown added CherryTree as alternative to EtherPK
abelnotes added CherryTree as alternative to AbelNotes- Asherzarsenic liked CherryTree
The Best (and the rest) of Personal Knowledge Management Software [2022] [Updated 2023]
I spend a ridiculous amount of time searching for a PKM tool that fits my organizational needs. Everything falls short. I want to help others on their own quests by compiling this list. Tags on AlternativeTo are helpful, but I wanted a place to keep a curated list with my own findings that others can contribute to.
Where I can, I have tried to answer the following important questions for each app:
- Is it open source?
- Is it offline-capable?
- Can blocks/notes exist in multiple locations?
As well as providing rough overall ratings (Scale of 1 to 5) for the following metrics:
- Organization: How does the app allow you to structure information? Is it flexible? Is it logical?
- User experience (UX): Is it easy to use? Is the interface designed in a way that is not just logical, but natural for the everyday user?
- Privacy: To the best of my (limited) knowledge, does this tool protect your personal data AND is it designed so that you can ensure the safety of your data yourself rather than relying on the app developers (trust, but verify).
Please comment with additions/suggestions, collaboration makes things better.
Note Organizing
A list with 42 apps by BlueThrasher22 without a description.
Progress & Management
A list with 568 apps by AmileyaRyver without a description.
Official Links
Install from the command line
winget install -e --id Giuspen.Cherrytreebrew install cherrytreeflatpak install flathub net.giuspen.cherrytree
Developed by
Giuseppe PenoneLicensing
Open Source and Free product.Written in
Rating
Average rating of 3.8Alternatives
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Office & Productivity, DevelopmentGitHub repository
- 3,975 Stars
- 527 Forks
- 986 Open Issues
- Updated
Comments and Reviews
I have a hobby of making huge archives of data and stuff that I come across while I crawl through the internet, reading and learning. This archive, as of writing this, is about 5 GB in size, 2000 files filled with information, images, videos, and whatnot, hand processed in LibreOffice, GIMP, and other stuff. This archive is just a whole bunch of folder and files on my local disk. I spent a long time finding something that could potentially hold all this data in just one space, in one file. No, a simple tar.gz file wasn't going to cut it, and that is because I also wanted to be able to search each of these files' contents for certain words in the future. Just having them as folders and files wasn't good enough. Sure, I could search the file names themselves using FSearch, but what if I wanted to search for a certain idea within one of my odt files, not just searching for the names of the files? FSearch couldn't do that.
Enter CherryTree. Its hierarchical approach to note-taking is similar enough to my current archive's structure. It has a serviceable text editor, with highlighting, lists, and headings. It can attach files to the database you are working on. Most important of all to me, it can search through the contents of each "node" in the hierarchical structure. All I have to do now is to copy and paste all the contents of each file I've created into CherryTree. Voila! I can now search to find whatever key phrase I want! (Well...that's the plan. It's going to take time to make this goal a reality. That I know it is possible with this software, however, makes me glad.)
That's enough about my personal usage of it. Users will find that there are quite a few options in the preferences to tinker with to make your note taking experience just how you want it. You can also password-protect your notes in either an SQLite or XML file if you wish.
My only gripe is that dragging and dropping files into CherryTree doesn't really work the way you might want it to. Doing this will give you only the file's path, not embed the file itself into the database. You'll have to attach files the old-fashioned way by navigating to the file when prompted to do so.
Nevertheless, I think if you are the type of person who likes to keep their ideas and notes organized in a single file, then CherryTree is a good...pick.
[Edited by TerrifiedTyphlosion, December 04] (typo)
I have moved to CherryTree form Zim on frend's recomendation and because it has a good import utilitiy. I liked it at first, but then I realized, there is no way out. CherryTree's export feature is very crippled and you can not export to any meaningfull format even Markdown is not supported. If you have a lot of notes, stay away.
I hear you on this, and sorry I gave you the down vote before. I think it's reliability may be subject to the file format chosen and SQlite may be a better choice than XML. But you are right.. it's file formats are too proprietary and it should be able to export to .rtf . And as a matter of fact, I'm going to check out other note-takers again. CherryTree does however exports to pdf,Html, and Plain Text.
I use it on both Mint and Win11. It works quite well for my purposes, which is for keeping a few hundred personal notes, on both OSes. t's easy enough to transfer one branch from one OS to the other as a text file.
I have tried Zim then CherryTree. It has more useful features for programmers and also more formatting options. Tables and code blocks are really game changers here. Also it can import almost from anything so migration to it is very easy.
Very convenient program for local notes
I like CherryTree because I can create a huge encyclopedia in a single file. I appreciate the ability to use special symbols in node names (nodes are like pages within CherryTree file).
When CherryTree is working right, it is my favorite Note-taking app. I use numbers of note-taking apps and CherryTree, Obsidian, and AllMyNotes are the only ones I've seen import URL/hyperlink links smoothly. On the downside, the file system is proprietary and if anything goes wrong, it can be impossible to rebuild, and it doesn't export to .rtf. CherryTree offers starting file format choices. Sqlite may be the most reliable/easiest to reassemble. Like most other programs, CherryTree has quirks.. for one, ambiguous icons. I notice that extra .ctb files get tilde marks at the end that can be removed to make the file usable. I'm trying other programs now which DO export to .rtf.