The Best Zim AlternativesTop Note-taking & Task Management Tools like Zim
Zim is described as '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"' and is a very popular Note-taking tool in the office & productivity category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Zim for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, Linux, Android and iPhone apps. The best Zim alternative is Obsidian, which is free. Other great apps like Zim are Joplin, Notion, Anytype and CherryTree.
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Zim alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Zim.- Note-taking Tool
- Free • Open Source
950 likes93 Obsidian alternativesPrivacy-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.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Snapcraft
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Flathub
- Safari
- Mozilla Firefox
Top Obsidian Features
Obsidian VS Zim
Is Obsidian a good alternative to Zim?
805 likes70 Joplin alternativesOpen 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.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
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
Joplin VS Zim
Is Joplin a good alternative to Zim?Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Zim
Marco BartoliSadly, Joplin's Notes are proprietary: You cannot easily access your files with a third party tool (like a text editor). Zim (and other tools) keep your files readable and writeable in plaintext.
1andgregorikJoplin caters to a somewhat different user base: more simplistic, quicker, requires way less IT/wiki savvy just to operate daily. It also has pitch perfect syncing which is not Zim's cup of tea. Still, the moving parts are similar, and it can work as an alternative.
3LordMaxIT's not so similar to Zim Desktop, it's really near to evernote/nixnote It can be a good replacement too
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612 likes96 Notion alternativesEnhance 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.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Top Notion Features
Notion VS Zim
Is Notion a good alternative to Zim?Comments about Notion as an Alternative to Zim
Android Client, Markdown, Built-in trello-like board
-1Dima NeiaglovNotion is also a wiki and also cross-platform in the sense that it is a web application. It has some features that Zim doesn't, e.g. multi-column layouts.
1
234 likes101 Anytype alternativesManage 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.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Google Chrome
- Flathub
- Flatpak
Anytype VS Zim
Is Anytype a good alternative to Zim?
310 likes69 CherryTree alternativesA hierarchical note taking application, featuring rich text and syntax highlighting, storing data in a single xml or sqlite file.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
- Flatpak
Top CherryTree Features
CherryTree VS Zim
Is CherryTree a good alternative to Zim?Comments about CherryTree as an Alternative to Zim
John FastmanIf Zim isn't to your liking, CherryTree might be: open-source, stores data locally, supports instant search, interprets code blocks, and has more text editing features. The only thing it's not good at (yet) is attaching things by drag-n-drop. But that is in development, I hear.
11bekir celikwysiwyg , bug free, easy-to use and versatile interface, encrypted and un-encrypted mode, can import/export data from/to zim keynote html etc . Code box with syntax highlighting feature is nice. Also can import files image etc . Strictly hierarchical. More likely an outlining software.
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1137 likes88 Microsoft OneNote alternativesComprehensive digital notebook offering organizers, shared notes, multi-device syncing, and optical character recognition, plus cloud-based data management for efficient information handling and accessibility.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Windows Phone
- iPad
- Apple Watch
- Android Wear
- Kindle Fire
Top Microsoft OneNote Features
Microsoft OneNote VS Zim
Is Microsoft OneNote a good alternative to Zim?Comments about Microsoft OneNote as an Alternative to Zim
Sam LanderMicrosoft OneNote can be used for similar functions, but I wouldn't call it a replacement.
OneNote is very bulky. It uses up a lot of space and resources, and doesn't automatically save to a format practically any device can use. Your data is not secure, as it's a Microsoft program.
1Marco BartoliMore functional and user-friendly than Zim. However: Privacy. Ask yourself if you trust Microsoft with your data. If yes, that's ok. Personally however, I'd recommend using open source, self-hosted alternatives like Zim.
2It supports both internal and external links and has good structure. It's also WYSIWYG.
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162 likes61 AppFlowy alternativesAppFlowy is an open source alternative to Notion. You are in charge of your data and customizations.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Self-Hosted
- Snapcraft
- Rust
- Flathub
AppFlowy VS Zim
Is AppFlowy a good alternative to Zim?
217 likes159 Zettlr alternativesFrom idea to publication in one app: Zettlr accompanies you while writing your blog post, newspaper article, term paper, thesis, or entire book.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Flathub
Zettlr VS Zim
Is Zettlr a good alternative to Zim?Comments about Zettlr as an Alternative to Zim
Marco BartoliNative markdown editor. My new choice after retiring Zim. Good features, even clunkier interface than Zim, yet easy to learn and master.
-1
128 likes241 Notesnook alternativesNotesnook 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.
License model
- Freemium • 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 VS Zim
Is Notesnook a good alternative to Zim?
Comments about Obsidian as an Alternative to Zim
Zim is more lightweight. Obsidian has better UI and more community plugins.
Zim saves to .txt and has built in folder notes. Obsidian users rely on too many community plugins, making Obsidian inherently less secure.
Proprietary, meaning: Do you ultimately trust the vendor with your (potentially) most personal information. If not, stick with Zim.
I like obsidian because of the ease of organization with the bookmark plugin . but Zim is great for noting
"bits and bytes" since Omnivore is shutting down.