Paper Alternatives

Paper is described as '“This is a super-clean writing space with a lot of configurability that stays out of sight when you don’t need it.”' and is a Note-taking tool in the news & books category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Paper for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and iPad. The best alternative is Joplin, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Paper are Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, Simplenote and Typora.

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

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Paper

Freemium • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool

Mac
iPhone
iPad

“This is a super-clean writing space with a lot of configurability that stays out of sight when you don’t need it.”

Learn more about Paper

Joplin
Do you think 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
Homebrew
Chocolatey
Termux
Firefox
Cloudron
593 alternatives to Joplin
Joplin is a free, open source note taking and to-do application, which can handle a large number of notes organised into notebooks. The notes are searchable, can be copied, tagged and modified either from the applications directly or from your own text editor.
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
Synchronization
Multiplatform
Plugin system
Export to HTML
Microsoft OneNote
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Windows S
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple Watch
Android Wear
Kindle Fire
475 alternatives to Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote, part of the Microsoft 365 (Office), is a digital notebook application that gives people one place to gather notes and information. It also offers shared notebooks, syncing between multiple computers and devices via Windows...
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Microsoft OneNote Features
1. Handwritten NotesMicrosoft OneNote supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. Web ClipperSave any page or content from the web with a single click with Microsoft OneNote.
3. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Microsoft OneNote.
4. Works OfflineMicrosoft OneNote can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
5. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
6. Pressure SensitivityMicrosoft OneNote can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
7. Dark ModeMicrosoft OneNote supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. SubtasksMicrosoft OneNote allows you to create and manage tasks inside of a parent-main task.
9. WYSIWYG SupportMicrosoft OneNote integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
Visual Organization
Text formatting
Insert images
Unicode Math Support
Support for styluses
Sketching
Unlimited Canvas Area
Real-time sync
Linking capability
Freehand Writing
Evernote
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Blackberry
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
Apple Watch
Android Wear
Kindle Fire
551 alternatives to Evernote
Evernote is a cross-platform, freemium app designed for note taking, organizing, and archiving.
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Evernote Features
1. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
2. Works OfflineEvernote can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. OCRExtract the text from a screen capture or file and paste it into another document for edits.
4. Handwritten NotesEvernote supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
5. Calendar IntegrationEvernote lets you sync your tasks and events with your calendar application.
6. Dark ModeEvernote supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. Support for MarkDownEvernote supports MarkDown for document formatting.
8. PDF annotationEvernote support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
9. Web ClipperSave any page or content from the web with a single click with Evernote.
Text formatting
Hyperlinks
Screenshot OCR
Tagging
Folders
Sits in the System Tray
Note organization
Export to HTML
Export to PDF
Notifications
Simplenote
Do you think 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
404 alternatives to Simplenote
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.
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Simplenote Features
1. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
2. Support for MarkDownSimplenote supports MarkDown for document formatting.
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. LightweightSimplenote consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. File VersioningSimplenote has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
8. Distraction-freeSimplenote has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
9. PortableSimplenote can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Cross-device syncing
Search by tags
Protected by Password
Clean design
Simple text editor
Android Sync
Notes synchronisation
Text Based Format
Tagging
Tag based
Typora
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Electron / Atom Shell
137 alternatives to Typora
Typora gives you a seamless experience as both a reader and a writer. It removes the preview window, mode switcher, syntax symbols of markdown source code, and all other unnecessary distractions. Instead, it provides a real live preview feature to help you concentrate on the...
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Typora Features
1. Support for MarkDownTypora supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
3. Distraction-freeTypora has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
4. WYSIWYG SupportTypora integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
5. Support for LaTeXTypora supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
6. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Typora.
7. LightweightTypora consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
8. Code FormattingTypora supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
9. Spell CheckingTypora can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Write files in markdown
Save as Markdown
Simple text editor
Code Syntax Highlighting
Export to PDF
Clean design
Multiplatform
Nested Folders
Minimalistic
Multiple languages
Manuskript
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Note-taking Tool
Project Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
FLATHUB
102 alternatives to Manuskript
Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.
Suggest and vote on features
Manuskript Features
1. Support for MarkDownManuskript supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. File VersioningManuskript has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Outliner
Tree structure
Tracking of plots
Distraction-free Writing
Tracking of characters
Plot visualisation
Track Characters
Visual Organization
Tracking of locations
Outline folding
Cryptee
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
File Search Utility
Online
Software as a Service (SaaS)
454 alternatives to Cryptee
Cryptee is a safety and privacy focused, encrypted and cross-platform personal data storage service. You can write personal documents, notes, journals, store photos and all sorts of other files.
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Cryptee Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionCryptee has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Privacy focusedCryptee is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Support for MarkDownCryptee supports MarkDown for document formatting.
4. No TrackingCryptee will not track you or use your personal data.
5. Dark ModeCryptee supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. Ad-freeCryptee doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Encrypted Notes
Encrypted Photo Storage
Rich text editing
File Storage
Dendron
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Visual Studio Code
222 alternatives to Dendron
Dendron is an open-source, local-first, markdown-based, note-taking tool built on top of VSCode. It supports all the usual features you would expect like tagging, backlinks, a graph view, split panes, and so forth.
Suggest and vote on features
Dendron Features
1. Support for MarkDownDendron supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Dendron.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsDendron can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Privacy focusedDendron is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Local Storage
Block reference
Graph view
VSCode
Backlinks
Quick reference lookup
Publishing
Tagging
Bidirectional links
Built-in themes
Discontinued
Dendron is no longer actively developed since 2022. See the last post in this thread for example https://github.com/dendronhq/dendron/issues/92 which links to Discord https://discordapp.com/channels/717965437182410783/737323300967022732/1072563304289030164 where the Developer wrote down about his burnout and so on....
Scrivener
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool
Note-taking Tool
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
iPhone
iPad
PlayOnLinux (PlayOnMac)
Wine
96 alternatives to Scrivener
Typewriter. Ring-binder. Scrapbook. Scrivener combines everything you need to craft your first draft, from nascent notion to final full stop.
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Scrivener Features
1. Support for scriptingScrivener supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
2. Support for LaTeXScrivener supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
Corkboard
Integrated Search
Document compiler
Multi-document View
Visual Organization
Scene Management
Character database
Folders
Split files into sections
Word counter
FocusWriter
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Word Processor
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
92 alternatives to FocusWriter
FocusWriter is a fullscreen, distraction-free word processor designed to immerse you as much as possible in your work. The program autosaves your progress, and reloads the last files you had open to make it easy to jump back in during your next writing session, and has many...
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FocusWriter Features
1. Distraction-freeFocusWriter has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
2. LightweightFocusWriter consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. PortableFocusWriter can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Distraction-free Writing
Customizable
Daily progress tracker
Fullscreen support
Skin customization
Auto-saving
Writing statistics
Tabbed interface
Multiple languages