The Best Open Source Joplin AlternativesTop Note-taking Tools & Todo List Managers like Joplin

The best open source alternative to Joplin is Standard Notes. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Joplin and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Joplin are Logseq, Zettlr, Notesnook and Simplenote.

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Joplin alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools.  Other popular filters includes Android + Open Source. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Joplin.
Joplin iconJoplin
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  • ...

Open source note-taking app with Markdown support, to-do integration, and synchronization with cloud services like Dropbox and OneDrive.

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Joplin alternatives page was last updated Mar 1, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     647 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.

    84 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 Joplin

     
    Comments about Standard Notes as an Alternative to Joplin
    Top Positive Comment
    garrry
    Feb 13, 2023
    4

    basic features are paywalled and the cost has doubled over the years

    Top Negative Comment
    bentsoft
    Dec 30, 2023
    3

    folders & themes are paywalled. it only allows for plain text notes in the free plan

    Most Recent Comment
    ztdzyvhb
    Positive •Mar 29, 2022
    0

    It’s a lot more simple and easy to use. The security is better than Joplin thanks to on-device storage encryption.

    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Joplin Icon
    Standard Notes icon

    • Some users think Standard Notes is a great Joplin alternative, some don't.

    • Standard Notes is the most popular Web-based & Self-Hosted alternative to Joplin.

    • Standard Notes is the most popular Open Source alternative to Joplin.

    • Standard Notes is Freemium and Open SourceJoplin is also Freemium and Open Source
    • Standard Notes is Privacy focused and Security-focusedJoplin is not according to our users
  2. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     277 likes
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    Local-first, privacy-focused notebook supporting Markdown and Emacs Org mode. Offers offline use, encrypted backups, plugin extensibility, LaTeX support, real-time collaboration, and hierarchical organization for personal knowledge management.

    127 Logseq alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Logseq screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Bidirectional links
    2.  Graph view
    3.  Outliner
    4.  Local Storage
    5.  Backlinks
    6.  Knowledge base
    7.  Support for MarkDown
    8.  Knowledge Management
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Note organization
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Full-Text Search

    Logseq VS Joplin

     
    Comments about Logseq as an Alternative to Joplin
    bentsoft
    Negative •Jan 30, 2024
    1

    no folders :(, all your notes are just thrown together

    Joplin Icon
    Logseq icon
    • Logseq is Free and Open SourceJoplin is Freemium and Open Source
  4. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     222 likes
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    From idea to publication in one app: Zettlr accompanies you while writing your blog post, newspaper article, term paper, thesis, or entire book.

    164 Zettlr alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Zettelkasten note method
    3.  File Tagging
    4.  Multiple export options
    5. Zotero icon  Zotero integration
    6.  Note organization
    7.  Link files
    8.  Built-in themes
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Export to LaTeX
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Write files in markdown

    Zettlr VS Joplin

     
  5. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     134 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 Joplin

     

    • Notesnook is the most popular SaaS alternative to Joplin.

    • Notesnook is Freemium and Open SourceJoplin is also Freemium and Open Source
    • Notesnook is Privacy focusedJoplin is not according to our users
  6. Simplenote icon

    Simplenote

     593 likes
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    Made by the company behind WordPress, Simplenote enables users to take notes, lists, and ideas. These notes are stored on the cloud and are accessible across multiple devices.

    75 Simplenote alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Simplenote screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Clean design
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Minimalistic

    Features

    1.  Cross-device syncing
    2.  Support for MarkDown
    3.  Search by tags
    4.  Simple text editor
    5.  Protected by Password
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Text Based Format
    8.  Full-Text Search
    9.  Portable
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  No Tracking
    12.  Ad-free

    Simplenote VS Joplin

     
    Comments about Simplenote as an Alternative to Joplin
    Guest
    Positive •Sep 4, 2020
    1

    Unlike Joplin, this has a web-based version. The Android version is also very lightweight.

    bentsoft
    •Sep 3, 2024
    0

    Good app by itself, but not as comprehensive as Joplin, it's much simpler and lighter

    Joplin Icon
    Simplenote icon

    • Some users think Simplenote is a great Joplin alternative, some don't.

    • Simplenote is Free and Open SourceJoplin is Freemium and Open Source
    • Simplenote is LightweightJoplin is not according to our users
  7. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     311 likes
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    A hierarchical note taking application, featuring rich text and syntax highlighting, storing data in a single xml or sqlite file.

    76 CherryTree alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    CherryTree screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Hierarchical Structure
    2.  Tree structure
    3.  Infinite hierarchical depth
    4.  Includes images in notes
    5.  Outliner
    6.  Tree view
    7.  Tree Style Tabs
    8.  Syntax Highlighting
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Portable
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  No registration required

    CherryTree VS Joplin

     
    Comments about CherryTree as an Alternative to Joplin
    andgregorik
    Positive •Dec 15, 2019
    3

    CherryTree has more elaborate hierarchy features and less elaborate to-do features. It is not into cloud-based cross-platform syncing, but makes it up with having a very natural feel on a desktop.

    Farrukh
    Positive •Aug 23, 2022
    0

    it does not support MarkDown as so cannot be compared to Joplin. However, it has its own good features.

    Joplin Icon
    CherryTree icon

    • Most users think CherryTree is a great Joplin alternative.

    • CherryTree is Free and Open SourceJoplin is Freemium and Open Source
  9. Zim icon

    Zim

     498 likes
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    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"...

    299 Zim alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zim screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Plain text file
    3.  Wiki-like interface
    4.  Hierarchical Structure
    5.  Cross-Platform
    6.  Note organization
    7.  WYSIWYG Support
    8.  Outliner
    9.  Text formatting
    10.  Portable
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Notebook

    Zim VS Joplin

     
    Comments about Zim as an Alternative to Joplin
    Most Recent Comment
    Sam Lander
    Positive •May 25, 2024
    0

    Zim is more lightweight, less buggy, saves in plain text. So you don't have to worry about any bloated configurations and high attack surfaces. Just put your folder in a VeraCrypt vault in a cloud drive.

    Guest
    Negative •Dec 26, 2020
    1

    Zim is a desktop Wiki System and wiki editor, not a multifunction note taking and data synchronizing platform. Joplin and Zim may be complimentory in use and apear to have similar fuctions, but they serve very different purposes. It is like comparing a text editor (e.g. Emacs) to a word processor (MS Word). One can use either to write program code or a novel; however, it is best to match the tool to the job (i.e. a text ditor for the code and a word processor for the novel).

    Harvey Williams
    Negative •Nov 14, 2018
    -11

    Joplin offers syncing functionality with other services (such as OwnCloud/Nextcliud) where as Zim only gives you access to the files so you can sync them.

    Joplin Icon
    Zim icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Zim is a legitimate Joplin alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Zim is Free and Open SourceJoplin is Freemium and Open Source
    • Zim is LightweightJoplin is not according to our users
  10. 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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    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 Joplin

     
  11. Trilium Notes icon

    Trilium Notes

     92 likes
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    Trilium Notes is a hierarchical note taking application.

    353 Trilium Notes alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Cloudron
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Trilium Notes screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    Trilium transitions into maintenance mode and don't plan adding any new major functionality. You can take a look at this community fork: https://github.com/TriliumNext

    Properties

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

    Features

    1.  Tree of notes
    2.  Knowledge base
    3.  Note organization
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Encrypted Notes
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  End-to-End Encryption
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Cloud Sync
    11.  REST API
    12.  Web Clipper

    Trilium Notes VS Joplin

     
    Comments about Trilium Notes as an Alternative to Joplin
    Guest
    Positive •Sep 12, 2022
    2

    Awesome note taking app with E2E encryption only bad thing is another Java/Electron application. Really hard on resources of older devices even if sync is off.

    Joplin Icon
    Trilium Notes icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Trilium Notes is a great Joplin alternative.

    • Trilium Notes is Free and Open SourceJoplin is Freemium and Open Source
    • Trilium Notes is Privacy focusedJoplin is not according to our users
9 of 45 Joplin alternatives