The Best Open Source Evernote AlternativesTop Note-taking Tools & Todo List Managers similar to Evernote

The best open source alternative to Evernote is Joplin. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Evernote and 11 is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Evernote are Standard Notes, Simplenote, Logseq and CherryTree.

Evernote alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Evernote.

Evernote alternatives page was last updated

Evernote

2466

Freemium • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool

Evernote is a cross-platform, freemium app designed for note taking, organizing, and archiving.

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Joplin
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
AppImageHub
Snapcraft
Google Chrome
Flathub
Cloudron
Homebrew
Chocolatey
Termux
Firefox
22 Joplin alternatives
Joplin is an open source note-taking alternative to Evernote that is also available on most mainstream platforms. Unlike Evernote, Joplin is an offline first and client-side encrypted app. On top of no upload limit, it can also import notes from Evernote and other note-taking services. These advantages and this support for migration makes Joplin an easy recommendation.
- - Joplin is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Evernote.
- - Joplin is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Evernote.
Suggest and vote on features
Joplin Features
1. Support for MarkDownJoplin supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
3. End-to-End EncryptionJoplin has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. Privacy focusedJoplin is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Web ClipperSave any page or content from the web with a single click with Joplin.
6. Works OfflineJoplin can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Ad-freeJoplin doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
8. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Joplin.
9. LightweightJoplin consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Local Storage
Android Sync
Tagging
Encrypted Notes
WebDAV Support
Write files in markdown
Multiplatform
Synchronization
Plugin system
Export to HTML
Comments about Joplin as a Alternative to Evernote
Most users think Joplin is a great Evernote alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
frankmcc
Synchronizes between Windows, Linux and Android. I keep all of my notes here. Markdown is easy to learn. There are browser extensions to allow clipping notes from the web. Supports images, documents and links. Best all around notes app ever!
Top positive comment•
3

Guest
open source with excellent sync options, plus encryption.
Top positive comment•
8

mandrael
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!
Top negative comment•
1

Eduardo3382
There is a large community behind this app that can assist you if you find some problem.
Positive comment•
0

RemovedUser
It's not WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) as Evernote. You need to learn Markdown.
Negative comment•
-1

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5 of 25 comments
Standard Notes
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
29 Standard Notes alternatives
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.
- - Standard Notes is the most popular Web-based alternative to Evernote.
Suggest and vote on features
Standard Notes Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionStandard Notes has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Privacy focusedStandard Notes is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
4. Support for MarkDownStandard Notes supports MarkDown for document formatting.
5. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsStandard Notes can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
6. Works OfflineStandard Notes can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Encrypted BackupStandard Notes uses encryption algorithms to keep your files safe as well as prevent unauthorized access.
8. Ad-freeStandard Notes doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
9. Automatic BackupStandard Notes will automatically back up your data periodically.
Encrypted Notes
Clean design
AES Encryption
Security focused
Minimalistic
Distraction-free Writing
Sync on many devices
Simple text editor
Two-factor Authentication
Customizable
Comments about Standard Notes as a Alternative to Evernote
Almost everyone thinks Standard Notes is a great Evernote alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
RemovedUser
Standard Notes is the service that I can trust to not share and read my notes.
Top positive comment•
2

Ed Cook
A clean and simple, yet versatile and secure end-to-end encrypted notes app. There are multiple available extensions that allow for including images, building spreadsheets, and using markdown, among many other things.
Top positive comment•
6

Guest
Does not support images or attachments, only text.
Top negative comment•
12

a a
Not good as joplin because almost all features are paid
Positive comment•
1

Guest
Standard Notes is a multiplatform application (Windows, Android, Linux), secure with perfect synchronization on several devices. Only problem: it is not multilingual.
Positive comment•
2

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5 of 12 comments
Simplenote
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
15 Simplenote alternatives
As its name suggests, Simplenote is a simplified note-taking app for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and the web. It only supports text-based entry and doesn't really support media clipping or any of the more advanced or elaborate features found in other Evernote alternatives. However, for text-based notes, this is truly accessible and simple to use.
Suggest and vote on features
Simplenote Features
1. Support for MarkDownSimplenote supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Dark ModeSimplenote supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Full-Text SearchSimplenote lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
4. No TrackingSimplenote will not track you or use your personal data.
5. Ad-freeSimplenote doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Distraction-freeSimplenote has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
7. File VersioningSimplenote has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
8. LightweightSimplenote consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. PortableSimplenote can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Cross-device syncing
Search by tags
Clean design
Simple text editor
Protected by Password
Notes synchronisation
Android Sync
Text Based Format
Tagging
Tag based
Comments about Simplenote as a Alternative to Evernote
Most users think Simplenote is a great Evernote alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
John Fastman
Simplenote is a cross-platform app that allows you to take simple (as the name implies) text-based notes and sync them across your devices. There is markdown support, but little else. It's Evernote with almost everything but the note taking feature taken out. If that appeals to you, it's great. Also, thumbs up for open source and Linux support!
Top positive comment•
4

Guest
Very quick sync, responsive UI, works good across Windows, Linux and Android, although missing support for graphical notes and more text formatting options
Top positive comment•
9

luminousdragongames
The core features of evernote are about clipping information and saving it, note writing text notes. While it might be a good program it doesn't fit.
Top negative comment•
3

pufeed
Simplenote is very literal in the name. It is as basic as you can get. Markdown notes. That's it.
Negative comment•
0

Dennis Moul
Good for plain text without the bloat of Evernote. Lately (late 2018/early 2019) it's been having trouble syncing reliably between devices, and there's no way to force a sync or see what's happening with sync. That's a showstopper problem, so I've switched to Standard Notes.
Positive comment•
0

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Logseq
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Task Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
iPad
Self-Hosted
92 Logseq alternatives
Logseq is a platform for knowledge sharing and management. It focuses on privacy, longevity, and user control. Notice: the backend code will be open-sourced as soon as we’re sure that the backend service meets the security standards.
Suggest and vote on features
Logseq Features
1. Support for MarkDownLogseq supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Works OfflineLogseq can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. Ad-freeLogseq doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Dark ModeLogseq supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Full-Text SearchLogseq lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
6. Privacy focusedLogseq is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
7. No TrackingLogseq will not track you or use your personal data.
8. PDF annotationLogseq support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
9. SubtasksLogseq allows you to create and manage tasks inside of a parent-main task.
Bidirectional links
Graph view
Outliner
Backlinks
Local Storage
Knowledge base
Knowledge Management
Note organization
Hyperlinks
Wiki
CherryTree
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
19 CherryTree alternatives
A hierarchical note taking application, featuring rich text and syntax highlighting, storing data in a single xml or sqlite file.
Suggest and vote on features
CherryTree Features
1. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with CherryTree.
2. Syntax HighlightingCherryTree supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
3. Support for MarkDownCherryTree supports MarkDown for document formatting.
4. Code FormattingCherryTree supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
5. PortableCherryTree can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Tree structure
Infinite hierarchical depth
Includes images in notes
Outliner
Tree view
Text-manipulation
Internal linking
Tree-style
Customizable
Export to HTML
Comments about CherryTree as a Alternative to Evernote
Most users think CherryTree is a great Evernote alternative.
RemovedUser
Rich text with images; Syntax highlighting (store codes); You can link notes; You can export notes as HTML (a web page), PDF, and others; Really customizable.
Positive comment•
1

Guest
CherryTree is a great alternative, particularly if you're also looking for the notebook/wiki setup (think of it as a newer, less buggy Zim). SQLite storage, optional encryption, hierarchical node structure, syntax highlighting (for code documentation), customizable keyboard shortcuts, cross-platform, etc.
Positive comment•
1
TiddlyWiki
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
BSD
Self-Hosted
Xfce
RemoteStorage
171 TiddlyWiki alternatives
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...
Suggest and vote on features
TiddlyWiki Features
1. Support for MarkDownTiddlyWiki supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. PortableTiddlyWiki can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Customizable
Standalone
Cross page linking
Wiki
Wiki-like interface
Personal Information Manager (PIM)
Offline
Password encryption
Support for NodeJS
Notebook
Comments about TiddlyWiki as a Alternative to Evernote
Most users think TiddlyWiki is a great Evernote alternative.
Tarcilio Neto
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).
Positive comment•
0
Turtl
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
Google Chrome
Firefox
171 Turtl alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Turtl Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionTurtl has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Support for MarkDownTurtl supports MarkDown for document formatting.
3. Privacy focusedTurtl is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
5. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Turtl simultaneously.
Encrypted Notes
Sync on many devices
To do lists
Data portability
AES Encryption
Save Attachments
WebExtenion
Android Sync
List management
Password encryption
Discontinued
The last update is from 2019.

Comments about Turtl as a Alternative to Evernote
Most users think Turtl is a great Evernote alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Turtl stores your info encrypted, unlike Evernote. Much more private.
Top positive comment•
10

John Fastman
Turtl is presently more of a bookmark sync utility than Evernote replacement. (For an open source Evernote replacement see TagSpaces). Unlike Evernote, Turtl is open source and use end-to-end encryption so that you can store simple notes and online bookmarks with full privacy, even from the Turtl developers. A browser plugin works together with the client to capture links. It's still being developed but already a good choice for cross-platform bookmark/note syncing.
Top positive comment•
0

AnonAT
Windows versions do not work properly. There is very little documentation and a poor forum.
Top negative comment•
6

Guest
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.
Positive comment•
1

kbabir
Turtl has a great potential to be a full alternative to evernote in the future. But that will take time, still waiting for import feature from other services like evernote,simplenote etc.
Positive comment•
1

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5 of 6 comments