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

The best open source alternative to Zim is Joplin. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Zim and loads of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Zim are CherryTree, Notesnook, AppFlowy and Zettlr.

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Zim 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, Mac and Android. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Zim.
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Alternatives list

  1. Joplin icon

    Joplin

     861 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.

    103 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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    13
    Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Zim
    Marco Bartoli
    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.

    andgregorik
    Positive
    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.

    LordMax
    Positive
    2

    IT'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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    3 of 4 comments
    Zim Icon
    Joplin icon

    • Most users think Joplin is a great Zim alternative.

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

    • Joplin is the most popular Open Source alternative to Zim.

    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceZim is Free and Open Source
    • Joplin is MinimalisticZim is not according to our users
  2. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     319 likes
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    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.

    96 CherryTree alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    CherryTree screenshot 1
     
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    27
    Comments about CherryTree as an Alternative to Zim
    John Fastman
    Positive
    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
    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.

    Zim Icon
    CherryTree icon

    • Most users think CherryTree is a great Zim alternative.

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

    Notesnook

     169 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.

    288 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
     
  6. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     242 likes
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    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.

    174 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)
     
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    6
    Comments about Zettlr as an Alternative to Zim
    Marco Bartoli
    Positive
    -1

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

    Zim Icon
    Zettlr icon

    • Most users think Zettlr is a great Zim alternative.

    • Zettlr is Free and Open SourceZim is also Free and Open Source
  7. 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.

    108 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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    10
    Comments about Simplenote as an Alternative to Zim
    John Fastman
    Negative
    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
    -8

    Free and free of problems. Just simple.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Zim Icon
    Simplenote icon

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

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

    TiddlyWiki

     306 likes
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    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...

    175 TiddlyWiki alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Xfce
    • RemoteStorage
    TiddlyWiki screenshot 1
     
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    14
    Comments about TiddlyWiki as an Alternative to Zim
    Guest
    Positive
    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.
    Zim Icon
    TiddlyWiki icon

    • Most users think TiddlyWiki is a great Zim alternative.

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

    Cryptee

     101 likes
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    Cryptee is a safety and privacy focused, encrypted and cross-platform personal data storage service. You can write personal documents, notes, journals, store photos (including raw photos from DSLR cameras) and all sorts of other files.

    69 Cryptee alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Cryptee screenshot 1
     
  13. Docmost icon

    Docmost

     43 likes
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    Docmost is an open-source collaborative wiki and documentation software. It is an open-source alternative to Confluence and Notion.

    87 Docmost alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Docker
    Docmost screenshot 1
     

    • Docmost is the most popular commercial alternative to Zim.

    • Docmost is Paid and Open SourceZim is Free and Open Source
  14. Markor icon

    Markor

     92 likes
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    Markor is a TextEditor for Android, versatile, flexible, and lightweight. Markor utilizes simple markup formats like Markdown and todo.txt for note-taking and list management. It is versatile at working with text; it can also be used for keeping bookmarks, copying to clipboard...

    151 Markor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Markor screenshot 1
    Markor screenshot 2
    Markor screenshot 3
     
12 of 134 Zim alternatives