Free Privacy focused Google Keep Alternatives

The best free alternative to Google Keep is Obsidian. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Google Keep and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Google Keep are Joplin, Standard Notes, Notesnook and Turtl.

filter to find the best alternatives

Google Keep 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 Open Source, Privacy focused, Free + Privacy focused, Linux, Android, EU and Note-taking. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Google Keep.
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Alternatives list

  1. Obsidian icon

    Obsidian

     1078 likes
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    Privacy-oriented note-taking app for non-linear thinking, blending knowledge graph creation with wiki-style linking. Supports Markdown, end-to-end encryption, and plugins for customization. Offers distraction-free mode, tags, themes, syntax highlighting, and operates offline without tracking.

    160 Obsidian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Obsidian screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Obsidian as an Alternative to Google Keep
    zlelmefs
    0

    Obsidian seems great, but one important caveat. Google Keep is free and uses Google's cloud service to sync between devices as a matter of course... but Obsidian ties sync into their backup/cloud service which is $8/month. So you're going to probably be using Google's cloud to sync anyway... And if you want privacy you'll also have to set up something like cryptomator and... it's a lot less attractive for multi-device users- i.e. everyone

    Google Keep Icon
    Obsidian icon

    • Most users think Obsidian is a great Google Keep alternative.

    • Obsidian is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Google Keep.

    • Obsidian is the most popular free alternative to Google Keep.

    • Obsidian is Freemium and ProprietaryGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
    • Obsidian is Privacy focusedGoogle Keep is not according to our users
  2. Joplin icon

    Joplin

     861 likes
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    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.

    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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    7
    41
    Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Google Keep
    Top Positive Comment
    Tommi
    2

    It offers everything that Google Keeps offer, without any cost in terms of privacy and ads targeting

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    1

    It's more like Evernote than Google Keep

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Achim Knopp
    Positive
    0

    I have to say, within just a few days, this has proven to be a very professional alternative to note-taking apps, websites, and programming tools. Keep simply can't do that, which is why I switched. However, there's an issue with the Android version: it doesn't work reliably with WebDAV. That definitely needs improvement!

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    3 of 7 comments
    Google Keep Icon
    Joplin icon

    • Most users think Joplin is a great Google Keep alternative.

    • Joplin is the most popular Web-based & Self-Hosted alternative to Google Keep.

    • Joplin is the most popular Open Source alternative to Google Keep.

    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
    • Joplin is Privacy focused and MinimalisticGoogle Keep is not according to our users
  4. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     679 likes
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    Secure note-taking app with end-to-end encryption, unlimited syncing across all platforms, offline access, detailed organization through tags, strong passcode and biometric protections, and premium features like encrypted files, themes, web clipper, super note types, and hardware key support.

    115 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 screenshot 1
     
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    6
    37
    Comments about Standard Notes as an Alternative to Google Keep
    Top Positive Comment
    KeenFlosser
    0

    Having tried other popular "alternative" note keeping apps, Standard Notes stands out with its simplicity. Fast to get into, easy to use. Great for quick notekeeping cross-device.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    BarnMTB
    1

    Standard Notes is like a notebook. You write things down and organize them with robust feature. Unlike Google Keep where you just post some sticky notes, usually shorter & less detailed info, onto one big board with basic tagging & barebones organization.

    gunther
    Positive
    0

    End-to-end encrypted, privacy-focused, cloud synced notes. An excellent alternative to any note-taking app. The free tier has some restrictions, but shouldn't bother most users.

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    3 of 6 comments
    Google Keep Icon
    Standard Notes icon

    • Most users think Standard Notes is a great Google Keep alternative.

    • Standard Notes is Freemium and Open SourceGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
    • Standard Notes is Privacy focused, Minimalistic, Security-focused and CustomizableGoogle Keep is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Zoho Notebook icon
    Zoho Notebook

    Web-based tool for integrating text, images, audio, and video with syncing across devices, real-time collaboration, handwriting input, AI-powered summaries, checklists, scanning, reminders, search in handwritten notes, and advanc...

    https://www.zoho.com
    Learn More
  6. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     169 likes
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    Notesnook is a simple and cross-platform private notes app that keeps your notes organized and synced on your phone, tablet and computer. Take notes, capture ideas, create to-do lists, keep a journal, write your assignments and manage projects, we have got you covered.

    290 Notesnook alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    Notesnook screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Notesnook as an Alternative to Google Keep
    Achim Knopp
    Positive
    0

    I have to say, it's high quality and still not very well known. It's like Joplin! Unfortunately, it's in English though.

    Google Keep Icon
    Notesnook icon

    • Notesnook is the most popular SaaS alternative to Google Keep.

    • Notesnook is Freemium and Open SourceGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
    • Notesnook is Privacy focusedGoogle Keep is not according to our users
  7. Turtl icon

    Turtl

     178 likes
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    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.

    185 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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    3
    32
    Comments about Turtl as an Alternative to Google Keep
    John Fastman
    Positive
    1

    Google Keep invades your privacy; it's one of Google's ways of harvesting your private data: you are the product. The answer is to use encrypted, trustworthy, open source apps. Turtl is such a project. Recent development has been slow, but it's the most similar (to Keep) end-to-end encrypted note-taking app. Protect your privacy!

    Guest
    Negative
    4

    turtl has no web client access event though it's build upon npm/electron.. also has no android widget like google keep

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    This is a great safe note-taking app for quick transfer notes. There could be more features added but when I want to safely organize notes on one of my phones to be transferred to other phones or other pcs, or vice versa, this works. It only comes with 50MB storage but if it is just quick notes being stored, that is more than enough space. I only use the free version though. They would have to add a lot more features to make the program worth paying for.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Google Keep Icon
    Turtl icon

    • Most users think Turtl is a great Google Keep alternative.

    • Turtl is Freemium and Open SourceGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
    • Turtl is Privacy focusedGoogle Keep is not according to our users
  10. Fossify Notes icon

    Fossify Notes

     28 likes
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    Introducing Fossify Notes – your ultimate tool for effortless note-taking, organization, and planning. Simplify your life with this intuitive organizer designed to streamline your tasks and ideas effortlessly.

    84 Fossify Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Fossify Notes screenshot 1
    Fossify Notes screenshot 2
    Fossify Notes screenshot 3
     
  11. Notebook PEA icon

    Notebook PEA

     22 likes
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    Protects your private notes with a password. Notebook PEA is a self-decrypting archive, that will never store unencrypted text on your disk.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Notebook PEA
     
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    42
  12. Marknote icon

    Marknote

     21 likes
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    Marknote lets you create rich text notes and easily organise them into notebooks. You can personalise your notebooks by choosing an icon and accent color for each one, making it easy to distinguish between them and keep your notes at your fingertips.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Marknote screenshot 1
     
  13. Zoho Notebook icon

    Zoho Notebook

     91 likes
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    Web-based tool for integrating text, images, audio, and video with syncing across devices, real-time collaboration, handwriting input, AI-powered summaries, checklists, scanning, reminders, search in handwritten notes, and advanced organization.

    317 Zoho Notebook alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    Zoho Notebook screenshot 1
     
  14. 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.

    74 Mimiri Notes alternatives

    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
     
  15. Carnet icon

    Carnet

     43 likes
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    Carnet is a complete and rich note taking app for Android and Linux that can be synced with NextCloud (selfhosted) or the official Carnet server.

    76 Carnet alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Snapcraft
    • Mac
    Carnet screenshot 1
     
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    2
    9
    Comments about Carnet as an Alternative to Google Keep
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    It's very similar to google keep, offering the same functionality and even importing notes from google keep (from linux), making the switch much easier

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

    It has a great UI and it is Open Source.

    Google Keep Icon
    Carnet icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Carnet is a great Google Keep alternative.

    • Carnet is Free and Open SourceGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
    • Carnet is Privacy focusedGoogle Keep is not according to our users
12 of 50 Google Keep alternatives