The Best Open Source Zim AlternativesTop Note-taking & Task Management Tools like Zim

Alternatives list

1. 

   

   Joplin

    900 likes

   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.

   144 Joplin alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Open Source

   Application types

   • Note-taking
   • Todo List Manager

   Origin

   • France
   • EU

   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

   

   

   

   +7

   

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   Is Joplin a good alternative to Zim?

    

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   Joplin vs Zim Comments

    

   Marco Bartoli

   Comment•Dec 9, 2022

   1

   Sadly, 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.

   LordMax

   Positive comment•Feb 28, 2020

   2

   IT's not so similar to Zim Desktop, it's really near to evernote/nixnote It can be a good replacement too

   andgregorik

   Positive comment•Dec 12, 2019

   3

   Joplin 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.

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   3 of 4 comments

   

   

   • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceZim is Free and Open Source
   • Joplin is Minimalistic and DecentralizedZim is not according to our users
2. 

   

   CherryTree

    324 likes

   Hierarchical note-taking software that is free, open-source, cross-platform. Features include rich text, syntax highlighting, multi-level lists, embedded files, customizable interface, code execution, PDF export, spell check, images & tables, and comprehensive project management support.

   122 CherryTree alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application types

   • Note-taking
   • Todo List Manager

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Flathub
   • PortableApps.com
   • Flatpak

   

   

   

   +3

   

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   Is CherryTree a good alternative to Zim?

    

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   2comments

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   CherryTree vs Zim Comments

    

   John Fastman

   Positive comment•Mar 26, 2017

   11

   If 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.

   bekir celik

   Positive comment•Nov 26, 2019

   2

   wysiwyg , 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.

   

   

   • CherryTree is Free and Open SourceZim is also Free and Open Source
   • CherryTree is CustomizableZim is not according to our users
4. 

   

   Notesnook

    190 likes

   Offers open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes with device-based privacy, cross-platform support, private vault, secure sync, offline access, markdown editor, exports to multiple formats, automatic backups, organizational tools, and strong encryption.

   341 Notesnook alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

   Application types

   • Note-taking
   • Task Management

   Origin

   • Pakistan

   Platforms

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

   

   

   

   +6

   

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5. 

   

   Zettlr

    254 likes

   Unified writing platform offering note-taking, easy citations with Zotero integration, LaTeX/Word templates, snippets, themes, dark modes, code highlighting, multi-language support, and knowledge management with Zettelkasten for seamless writing from notes to books.

   202 Zettlr alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

   Application types

   • Note-taking
   • Text Editor

   Origin

   • Germany
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Flathub
   • PortableApps.com

   

   

   

   +5

   

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   Zettlr vs Zim Comments

    

   Marco Bartoli

   Positive comment•Dec 9, 2022

   -1

   Native markdown editor. My new choice after retiring Zim. Good features, even clunkier interface than Zim, yet easy to learn and master.

   

   

   • Zettlr is Free and Open SourceZim is also Free and Open Source
6. 

   

   AppFlowy

    202 likes

   Open-source workspace offering complete data control, deep customization via themes, plugins, and templates, native multi-platform support using Flutter and Rust, offline access, privacy features, collaborative tools, and easy extensibility for all users.

   116 AppFlowy alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Open Source (AGPL-3.0)

   Application types

   • Note-taking
   • Todo List Manager

   Origin

   • Singapore

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Android
   • iPhone
   • Self-Hosted
   • Snapcraft
   • Rust
   • Flathub

   

   

   

   +2

   

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7. 

   

   TiddlyWiki

    311 likes

   TiddlyWiki is a single html file with all the characteristics of a wiki - including all of the functionality (including editing, saving, tagging and searching) and the style sheet. Because its a single file, its very portable - you can email it, put it on a web server or share...

   189 TiddlyWiki alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application types

   • Note-taking
   • Todo List Manager

   Origin

   • United Kingdom

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Online
   • BSD
   • Self-Hosted
   • Xfce
   • RemoteStorage

   

   More about TiddlyWiki  

   

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   TiddlyWiki vs Zim Comments

    

   Guest

   Positive comment•May 14, 2017

   0

   The single html file of TW is unbelievably simple and platform agnostic. File can be opened in any browser. There TW will open, edit, etc. Works just as well on a phone. File can be hosted/sync'd on DropBox or similar so you don't even need to download/upload (in the usual sense). Very smooth interface to boot. Robust support community constantly adding plugins.

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   

   

   • TiddlyWiki is Free and Open SourceZim is also Free and Open Source
   • TiddlyWiki is CustomizableZim is not according to our users
9. 

   

   Simplenote

    606 likes

   Cloud-based, open-source note-taking app supporting plain text notes, lists, and ideas with real-time sync, multi-device support, version history, markdown, tagging, collaborative editing, no ads, and free registration required for all cloud features.

   146 Simplenote alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source (GPL-2.0)

   Application types

   • Note-taking
   • Todo List Manager

   Origin

   • United States

   Alerts

   • Discontinued

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Online
   • Android
   • iPhone
   • Android Tablet
   • iPad

   

   

   

   +3

   

   More about Simplenote  

   

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   |

   2comments

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   Simplenote vs Zim Comments

    

   John Fastman

   Negative comment•Mar 26, 2017

   26

   Simplenote is much less functional than Zim (no rich-text, no attachment to notes) and although it does work on mobile, it syncs your data via web-facing servers on which your info is held unencrypted. In that respect your information is much more vulnerable to hackers and govt agencies than if you used Zim, stored the data locally and maybe - if you need - sync it with an end-to-end encrypted service like Spideroak, Tresorit or Seafile (Seafile encrypts file content, not metadata).

   Guest

   Positive comment•Oct 26, 2016

   -8

   Free and free of problems. Just simple.

   Review by a new / low-activity user.

   

   

   • Simplenote is Free and Open SourceZim is also Free and Open Source
   • Simplenote is MinimalisticZim is not according to our users
10. 

    

    AFFiNE

     116 likes

    Open-source, privacy-focused workspace combining note-taking, project and task management, Kanban board, interactive whiteboard, Pomodoro timer, Markdown support, offline access, real-time team collaboration with @mentions, goal tracking, subtasks, and customizable features.

    166 AFFiNE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    • Note-taking
    • Todo List Manager

    Origin

    • Singapore

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted

    

    

    

    +3

    

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11. 

    

    Trilium Notes

     115 likes

    The original trilium is transfered to this repo by its owner and the app continues to develop here as stated here: https://github.com/TriliumNext/Trilium

    403 Trilium Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (AGPL-3.0)

    Application types

    • Note-taking
    • Todo List Manager

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Cloudron
    • Mozilla Firefox

    

    

    

    +9

    

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12. 

    

    Docmost

     49 likes

    Open-source wiki and documentation solution offering real-time collaborative editing, robust permissions, group management, spaces for organizing content, inline commenting, full-page history, advanced full-text search, nested pages, attachments, and flexible storage.

    116 Docmost alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (AGPL-3.0)

    Application types

    • Note-taking
    • Todo List Manager

    Origin

    • United States

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    • Cloudron

    

    

    

    +7

    

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13. 

    

    Cryptee

     110 likes

    Encrypted, privacy-focused digital storage with zero-knowledge architecture supporting document editing, notes, journals, and photo storage with raw DSLR support, live sync, markdown, code, LaTeX, to-dos, audio, tables, EPUB, PDF, and cross-platform access.

    90 Cryptee alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    • Note-taking
    • Todo List Manager

    Origin

    • Estonia
    • EU

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)

    

    

    

    +9

    

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14. 

    

    SiYuan

     80 likes

    SiYuan is a desktop Markdown Block-Reference and Bidirectional-Link note-taking application. Support fine-grained block-level reference and Markdown WYSIWYG.

    95 SiYuan alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (AGPL-3.0)

    Application types

    • Note-taking
    • Todo List Manager

    Origin

    • China

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Docker
    • Docker Hub
    • F-Droid

    

    

    

    +3

    

    More about SiYuan  

    

    Is SiYuan a good alternative to Zim?