The Best Standard Notes AlternativesTop Note-taking Tools & Todo List Managers like Standard Notes

Standard Notes is described as 'An end-to-end encrypted note-taking by Proton. Offline access, unlimited sync across devices, tagging, passcode and biometric security, plus advanced premium privacy features' and is a leading Note-taking tool in the security & privacy category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Standard Notes for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Web-based, Windows, Android and Linux apps. The best Standard Notes alternative is Obsidian, which is free. Other great apps like Standard Notes are Joplin, Logseq, Anytype and Notion.

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Standard Notes 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. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Standard Notes.
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Alternatives list

  1. Obsidian icon

    Obsidian

     1081 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.

    162 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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    10
    Comments about Obsidian as an Alternative to Standard Notes
    tunnar13
    Positive
    0

    Standard Notes offers an official Firefox extension, and it works well.

    Standard Notes Icon
    Obsidian icon

    • Most users think Obsidian is a great Standard Notes alternative.

    • Obsidian is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Standard Notes.

    • Obsidian is the most popular free alternative to Standard Notes.

    • Obsidian is Freemium and ProprietaryStandard Notes is Freemium and Open Source
    • Obsidian is LightweightStandard Notes is not according to our users
  2. Joplin icon

    Joplin

     865 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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    33
    Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Standard Notes
    Top Positive Comment
    3li0
    3

    Just as secure (even more so) if you enable encryption within the application, can also be synchronized to a secure vault via WebDav or your file system (i.e. cryptomator). joplin is completely free, has many configurable options. Standard notes is a competent application, but it is far too expensive for what it does. Go with Joplin you will not regret it.

    Top Negative Comment
    Erik Estrada
    0

    Standard Notes are secure. Joplin has no local security whatsoever. Anyone with access to your computer can access everything in done in Joplin

    tunnar13
    Positive
    1

    Standard Notes is more stable than Joplin

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

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

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

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

    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceStandard Notes is also Freemium and Open Source
    • Joplin is LightweightStandard Notes is not according to our users
  4. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     314 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.

    161 Logseq alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Logseq screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Logseq as an Alternative to Standard Notes
    justtempo
    Negative
    0

    it dont support cloud sync for free

    Standard Notes Icon
    Logseq icon
    • Logseq is Free and Open SourceStandard Notes is Freemium and Open Source
    • Logseq is LightweightStandard Notes is not according to our users
  5. Ad
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    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...

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  6. Anytype icon

    Anytype

     274 likes
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    Manage notes, tasks, and projects offline with Markdown support. Enjoy encrypted storage, P2P syncing, and powerful dynamic collections across all devices, while allowing redistribution and modification for non-commercial uses.

    136 Anytype alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Movie Database
     
  7. Notion icon

    Notion

     644 likes
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    Enhance team collaboration and content organization with Notion. Experience real-time access, intuitive drag-and-drop functionalities, and visually simple interfaces designed for productivity in managing tasks, notes, and databases effectively. Ideal for teams of every size.

    150 Notion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Notion screenshot 1
     

    • Notion is the most popular SaaS alternative to Standard Notes.

    • Notion is Freemium and ProprietaryStandard Notes is Freemium and Open Source
  8. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     171 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.

    292 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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    8
    Comments about Notesnook as an Alternative to Standard Notes
    Malaz YI
    Positive
    0

    They're pretty much similar to each other, except that NoteNook is more generous giving you the folder organization feature for free. And the UI also looks better. So if you're not willing to pay for a note taking app but also want something that is open-source and secure, and provided your notes are just plain text, then this is the best option on the market.

    Abdullah Atta
    Positive
    -2

    The best thing about Notesnook is that it works the same across all devices unlike Standard Notes. It's also pretty cheap, tbh. Love it so far.

    Standard Notes Icon
    Notesnook icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Notesnook is a great Standard Notes alternative.

    • Notesnook is Freemium and Open SourceStandard Notes is also Freemium and Open Source
    • Notesnook is LightweightStandard Notes is not according to our users
  10. NoteLedge icon

    NoteLedge

     196 likes
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    Note-taking tool tailored for creatives offering idea capture from Pinterest, YouTube, and the web. Allows mood board creation, drawing, and sketching with varied brushes. Present work, share with teams using multimedia and exportable notes in PDF format

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    NoteLedge screenshot 1
     
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    62
  11. Simplenote icon

    Simplenote

     604 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.

    111 Simplenote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Simplenote screenshot 1
     
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    39
    Comments about Simplenote as an Alternative to Standard Notes
    Alabaster3632
    Negative
    2

    Does not have encryption and even the apps site itself says to do not store sensitive information. The app uses trackers too.

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    Focus on simple strong features, very good customer service, no mess, strong privacy.

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

    Compared with the free version of Standard Note I have a much better experience with Simplenotes (fast, easy to learn, auto recognition of URLs, efficient realtime synchronisation including collaborative). Did not tried the payed version of Standard Notes as doing so I should also give a correlated contribution to all other softwares I am using wich would make a total of many times my income.

    Standard Notes Icon
    Simplenote icon

    • Most users think Simplenote is a great Standard Notes alternative.

    • Simplenote is Free and Open SourceStandard Notes is Freemium and Open Source
    • Simplenote is LightweightStandard Notes is not according to our users
  12. Google Keep icon

    Google Keep

     831 likes
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    Google Keep is a multifunctional tool that merges note-taking with browsing, allowing capture of thoughts, checklists, or voice notes, with cross-device synchronization. Features include color-coded notes, voice transcription, geo-fencing, collaboration, cloud storage, and seamless Google integration.

    103 Google Keep alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Android Wear
    Google Keep screenshot 1
    Google Keep screenshot 2
    Google Keep screenshot 3
     
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    23
    Comments about Google Keep as an Alternative to Standard Notes
    trustport
    Negative
    2

    Google Keep is not privacy friendly, this should not be used by anybody who doesn´t want their notes could be read by Google staff.

    Guest
    Negative
    34

    It is not end-to-end encrypted. To the contrary, it is free exactly because you allow them to read your data and make good use of it.

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

    One of the strength of standard notes is that it does not use users data, it consider them a liability and not an asset. While Google Keep allows you to use the basic notes functions, it misses the core point of standard notes.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    Standard Notes Icon
    Google Keep icon

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

    • Google Keep is Free and ProprietaryStandard Notes is Freemium and Open Source
    • Google Keep is LightweightStandard Notes is not according to our users
  13. Evernote icon

    Evernote

     2482 likes
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    App designed for cross-platform note-taking and organizing. Create notes with text, images, and audio, tag and search them. Features offline access, business card scanning, and presentation modes. Integrate with LinkedIn and secure with a passcode lock.

    79 Evernote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Kindle Fire
    Evernote screenshot 1
     
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    2
    13
    Comments about Evernote as an Alternative to Standard Notes
    Sam Lander
    Negative
    1

    Standard notes is a lightweight, encrypted, open-source, and privacy-friendly note-taking app.

    Standard notes is not quite as robust as Evernote, but it serves a different purpose. Evernote uses a lot of resources, is closed source, and is inferior to other apps which serve the same functions, such as Joplin, Zim Wiki, and Obsidian.

    Kimmy Garcia
    Positive
    -28

    Simple, fast, and free! This is the best notebook ever!

    Standard Notes Icon
    Evernote icon

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

    • Evernote is Freemium and ProprietaryStandard Notes is Freemium and Open Source
  14. Microsoft OneNote icon

    Microsoft OneNote

     1138 likes
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    Comprehensive digital notebook offering organizers, shared notes, multi-device syncing, and optical character recognition, plus cloud-based data management for efficient information handling and accessibility.

    136 Microsoft OneNote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Wear
    • Kindle Fire
    Microsoft OneNote screenshot 1
     
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    4
    11
    Comments about Microsoft OneNote as an Alternative to Standard Notes
    Sam Lander
    Negative
    3

    Standard Notes uses much less resources, is encrypted, open-source, and private.

    One Note is junk.

    m00t316
    Positive
    0

    It's available on pretty much every device and syncs notebooks very well.

    Dios
    Negative
    1

    OneNote is an all in one note taking, sketching, etc. webapp. Standard Notes is a simple note taking service although extendable with the paid service

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    3 of 4 comments
    Standard Notes Icon
    Microsoft OneNote icon

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

    • Microsoft OneNote is Freemium and ProprietaryStandard Notes is Freemium and Open Source
12 of 116 Standard Notes alternatives