Open Source Zim Alternatives

The best open source alternative to Zim is Zettlr. 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 Simplenote, CherryTree, AppFlowy and TiddlyWiki.

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

Zim alternatives page was last updated

Zim

468

Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool

Zim brings the concept of a wiki to your desktop. Store information, link pages and edit with WYSISYG markup or directly...

More about Zim

Zettlr
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Text Editor
File Organizer
Mac
Windows
Linux
145 Zettlr alternatives
Zettlr is a one-stop publication workbench that combines many writing features and collects them in one application. It aims at speeding up your workflow and help you write without any interruptions.
- - Zettlr is the most popular Linux alternative to Zim.
- - Zettlr is the most popular Open Source alternative to Zim.
Suggest and vote on features
Zettlr Features
1. Support for MarkDownZettlr supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. File TaggingZettlr can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
3. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
4. Privacy focusedZettlr is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Ad-freeZettlr doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Syntax HighlightingZettlr supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
7. Dark ModeZettlr supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Zettlr.
9. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Zettlr without registration.
Zettelkasten note method
Multiple export options
Zotero integration
Note organization
Link files
Built-in themes
Export to LaTeX
Sync with Nextcloud
Interactive tables
Write files in markdown
Comments about Zettlr as a Alternative to Zim
Most users think Zettlr is a great Zim alternative.
Marco Bartoli
Native markdown editor. My new choice after retiring Zim. Good features, even clunkier interface than Zim, yet easy to learn and master.
Positive comment•
0
Simplenote
Is 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
15 Simplenote alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Simplenote Features
1. Support for MarkDownSimplenote supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Dark ModeSimplenote supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
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. Distraction-freeSimplenote has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
7. File VersioningSimplenote has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
8. LightweightSimplenote consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. PortableSimplenote can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Cross-device syncing
Search by tags
Clean design
Simple text editor
Protected by Password
Notes synchronisation
Android Sync
Text Based Format
Tagging
Tag based
Comments about Simplenote as a Alternative to Zim
Some users think Simplenote is a great Zim alternative, some don't.
John Fastman
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).
Negative comment•
25

Guest
Free and free of problems. Just simple.
Positive comment•
-8
CherryTree
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
19 CherryTree alternatives
A hierarchical note taking application, featuring rich text and syntax highlighting, storing data in a single xml or sqlite file.
Suggest and vote on features
CherryTree Features
1. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with CherryTree.
2. Syntax HighlightingCherryTree supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
3. Support for MarkDownCherryTree supports MarkDown for document formatting.
4. Code FormattingCherryTree supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
5. PortableCherryTree can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Tree structure
Infinite hierarchical depth
Includes images in notes
Outliner
Tree view
Text-manipulation
Internal linking
Tree-style
Customizable
Export to HTML
Comments about CherryTree as a Alternative to Zim
Most users think CherryTree is a great Zim alternative.
John Fastman
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.
Positive comment•
11

bekir celik
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.
Positive comment•
2
AppFlowy
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Task Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Self-Hosted
Rust
31 AppFlowy alternatives
AppFlowy is an open source alternative to Notion. You are in charge of your data and customizations.
- - AppFlowy is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Zim.
Suggest and vote on features
AppFlowy Features
1. Privacy focusedAppFlowy is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. Works OfflineAppFlowy can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. Kanban BoardAppFlowy allows you to organize your workflow by moving cards with drag-and-drop functionality between multiple columns.
4. Dark ModeAppFlowy supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Ad-freeAppFlowy doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. No TrackingAppFlowy will not track you or use your personal data.
7. WYSIWYG SupportAppFlowy integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
8. LightweightAppFlowy consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. PortableAppFlowy can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Note organization
Notebook
Support for MarkDown
Cloud Sync
Wiki
Rust
TiddlyWiki
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
BSD
Self-Hosted
Xfce
RemoteStorage
171 TiddlyWiki alternatives
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...
Suggest and vote on features
TiddlyWiki Features
1. Support for MarkDownTiddlyWiki supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. PortableTiddlyWiki can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Customizable
Standalone
Cross page linking
Wiki
Wiki-like interface
Personal Information Manager (PIM)
Offline
Password encryption
Support for NodeJS
Notebook
Comments about TiddlyWiki as a Alternative to Zim
Most users think TiddlyWiki is a great Zim alternative.
Guest
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.
Positive comment•
0
Anytype
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Task Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
84 Anytype alternatives
Offline and local first. The most powerful taking notes app. With a fully compatibility across devices. Support Markdown and you will be able to keep your notes, and files, in the same place.
Suggest and vote on features
Anytype Features
1. Works OfflineAnytype can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Privacy focusedAnytype is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. End-to-End EncryptionAnytype has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. DecentralizedAnytype is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
5. Ad-freeAnytype doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Support for MarkDownAnytype supports MarkDown for document formatting.
7. WYSIWYG SupportAnytype integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
8. Dark ModeAnytype supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. No TrackingAnytype will not track you or use your personal data.
Visual Organization
Synchronization
Knowledge Management
Wiki
Bookmarks
Local Storage
Cross-Platform
Graph database
Cloud Sync
Direct P2P Sync
Trilium Notes
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Self-Hosted
Google Chrome
Cloudron
Firefox
347 Trilium Notes alternatives
Trilium Notes is a hierarchical note taking application.
Suggest and vote on features
Trilium Notes Features
1. Dark ModeTrilium Notes supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. End-to-End EncryptionTrilium Notes has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. No TrackingTrilium Notes will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
5. Works OfflineTrilium Notes can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. Web ClipperSave any page or content from the web with a single click with Trilium Notes.
7. Ad-freeTrilium Notes doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
8. Privacy focusedTrilium Notes is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
9. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Trilium Notes simultaneously.
Knowledge base
Tree of notes
Note organization
Encrypted Notes
REST API
Customizable
Electron based
Command line interface
Notebook
WYSIWYG Support
TagSpaces
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Document Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
Microsoft Edge
Google Chrome
Firefox
118 TagSpaces alternatives
TagSpaces is privacy aware, cross-platform file browser with note-taking capabilities. It helps you organize your files and folders with tags and colors.
Suggest and vote on features
TagSpaces Features
1. File TaggingTagSpaces can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
2. PortableTagSpaces can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with TagSpaces.
4. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in TagSpaces without registration.
5. Web ClipperSave any page or content from the web with a single click with TagSpaces.
6. Dark ModeTagSpaces supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. Privacy focusedTagSpaces is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
8. Support for MarkDownTagSpaces supports MarkDown for document formatting.
9. Built-in viewerTagSpaces shows you a quick preview of an image, page or file in supported formats.
Tag based
Tagging
Information aggregator
Local Storage
Local tagging
File preview
Automatic file renaming
Indexed search
DMS
WYSIWYG Support
Opinions about TagSpaces as a Alternative to Zim
This alternative is disputed. TagSpaces is still a legitimate Zim alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Turtl
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
Google Chrome
Firefox
171 Turtl alternatives
Whether it's bookmarks or passwords, files or shopping lists...Turtl organizes it all and makes it easy to find later. Sync across your devices. Leave nothing behind.
Suggest and vote on features
Turtl Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionTurtl has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Support for MarkDownTurtl supports MarkDown for document formatting.
3. Privacy focusedTurtl is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
5. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Turtl simultaneously.
Encrypted Notes
Sync on many devices
To do lists
Data portability
AES Encryption
Save Attachments
WebExtenion
Android Sync
List management
Password encryption
Discontinued
The last update is from 2019.

Opinions about Turtl as a Alternative to Zim
Most users think Turtl is a great Zim alternative.
Markor
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Task Management Tool
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
134 Markor alternatives
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...
Suggest and vote on features
Markor Features
1. LightweightMarkor consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Support for MarkDownMarkor supports MarkDown for document formatting.
3. Ad-freeMarkor doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Handwritten NotesMarkor supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
5. Code FormattingMarkor supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
6. Works OfflineMarkor can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Dark ModeMarkor supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Syntax HighlightingMarkor supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
Markdown preview
Share notes
Customizable
Offline Reading
Export to PDF
Note organization
Readability
Todo.txt based
Visual bookmarks
Meeting notes