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 50 alternatives to Google Keep and many 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 Free + Privacy focused and Android + Open Source. 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.
Google Keep iconGoogle Keep
  822
  • ...

Multifunctional cross-device tool captures ideas, lists, voice/photo notes. Features color coding, geo-fencing, checklists, and cloud sync.

More about Google Keep
More about Google Keep
Google Keep alternatives page was last updated Mar 7, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. Obsidian icon

    Obsidian

     972 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.

    105 Obsidian alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Obsidian screenshot 1

    Top Obsidian Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Local Storage
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Graph view
    5.  Bidirectional links
    6.  Mind Mapping
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Personal Information Manager (PIM)
    9.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    10.  Knowledge Management
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Backlink

    Obsidian VS Google Keep

     
    Comments about Obsidian as an Alternative to Google Keep
    zlelmefs
    •Jan 14, 2024
    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 Linux alternative to Google Keep.

    • Obsidian is Freemium and ProprietaryGoogle Keep is Free and Proprietary
  2. Joplin icon

    Joplin

     820 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.

    75 Joplin alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • 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

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  Web Clipper
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Local Storage
    7.  Tagging
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  File Sync
    10.  Encrypted Notes
    11. Android icon  Android Sync
    12.  WebDAV Support

    Joplin VS Google Keep

     
    Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Google Keep
    Top Positive Comment
    Tommi
    Oct 12, 2020
    2

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

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Feb 13, 2025
    0

    It's more like Evernote than Google Keep

    Most Recent Comment
    Vishal Hirawat
    Positive •Sep 19, 2020
    -1

    Open Source, Cross-platform, Encryption, Sync with numerous cloud services, Markdown Support with WYSIWYG support...NOW what else do you need from a note editor.

    Show more comments
    3 of 6 comments
    Google Keep Icon
    Joplin icon

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

    • Joplin is the most popular 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 focusedGoogle Keep is not according to our users
  4. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     649 likes
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    Standard Notes is a simple and private notes app. It allows you to write and sync your notes across all your devices, iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, MacOS, and web browser.

    85 Standard Notes alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Standard Notes screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Clean design
    3.  Security-focused
    4.  Minimalistic
    5.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Encrypted Notes
    4.  Support for MarkDown
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Encrypted Backup
    8.  AES Encryption
    9.  Sync on many devices
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Mobile friendly
    12.  Client side encryption

    Standard Notes VS Google Keep

     
    Comments about Standard Notes as an Alternative to Google Keep
    Top Positive Comment
    3SDDd8g3
    May 31, 2021
    -1

    SN is privacy focused and has a long-term vision

    Top Negative Comment
    BarnMTB
    Nov 14, 2021
    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.

    Most Recent Comment
    gunther
    Positive •Feb 28, 2023
    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.

    Show more comments
    3 of 5 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 and Security-focusedGoogle Keep is not according to our users
  5. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     138 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.

    250 Notesnook alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • PK flagPakistan

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    Notesnook screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Notes
    2.  Private notes
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Note organization
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Support for MarkDown
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Cloud Sync
    11.  Web Clipper
    12.  Reminders

    Notesnook VS Google Keep

     

    • 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
  6. Turtl icon

    Turtl

     172 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.

    174 Turtl alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    Turtl screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The last update is from 2019.

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Notes
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  Sync on many devices
    5.  Data portability
    6.  Cloud Sync
    7.  Real time collaboration
    8.  To do lists
    9.  Notebook
    10.  List management
    11.  Client side encryption
    12.  Password encryption

    Turtl VS Google Keep

     
    Comments about Turtl as an Alternative to Google Keep
    Most Recent Comment
    John Fastman
    Positive •May 24, 2018
    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 •May 1, 2019
    4

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

    Guest
    Positive •Apr 10, 2020
    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.

    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
  7. Beaver Notes icon

    Beaver Notes

     45 likes
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    Your personal note-taking haven for privacy and efficiency.

    51 Beaver Notes alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • IT flagItaly
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    Beaver Notes screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  No registration required
    4.  File Tagging
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Tag based
    7. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    8.  Syntax Highlighting
    9.  WYSIWYG Support
    10.  Support for MarkDown
    11.  Cloud Sync
    12.  Focus Mode

    Beaver Notes VS Google Keep

     
  9. Fossify Notes icon

    Fossify Notes

     25 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.

    79 Fossify Notes alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Fossify Notes screenshot 1
    Fossify Notes screenshot 2
    Fossify Notes screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Distraction-free
    4.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Reminders
    7.  Auto-saving
    8.  Note organization

    Fossify Notes VS Google Keep

     
  10. 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.

    215 Notebook PEA alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Notebook PEA

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Hierarchical Structure
    3.  Authenticated encryption
    4.  Encrypted Notes

    Notebook PEA VS Google Keep

     
8 of 36 Google Keep alternatives