Zkn (Zettelkasten) Alternatives

Zkn (Zettelkasten) is described as 'Welcome to the homepage of the Zettelkasten (slip box) for your computer. This program is based on the working principle of Niklas Luhmann's famous Zettelkasten' and is an app in the education & reference category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Zkn (Zettelkasten) for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, Linux, Web-based and Flathub apps. The best Zkn (Zettelkasten) alternative is Zettlr, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Zkn (Zettelkasten) are TiddlyWiki, CherryTree, DEVONthink and wikidPad.

Zkn (Zettelkasten) iconZkn (Zettelkasten)
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Welcome to the homepage of the Zettelkasten (slip box) for your computer. This program is based on the working principle of...

More about Zkn (Zettelkasten)
More about Zkn (Zettelkasten)
Zkn (Zettelkasten) alternatives page was last updated Aug 6, 2024
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  1. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     226 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.

    161 Zettlr alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Zettelkasten note method
    3.  File Tagging
    4.  Multiple export options
    5. Zotero icon  Zotero integration
    6.  Note organization
    7.  Link files
    8.  Built-in themes
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Export to LaTeX
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Write files in markdown

    Zettlr VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     

    • Zettlr is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Zkn (Zettelkasten).

    • Zettlr is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Zkn (Zettelkasten).

    • Zettlr is Free and Open SourceZkn (Zettelkasten) is also Free and Open Source
    • Zettlr is Privacy focusedZkn (Zettelkasten) is not according to our users
  2. TiddlyWiki icon

    TiddlyWiki

     297 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...

    163 TiddlyWiki alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Xfce
    • RemoteStorage
    TiddlyWiki screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Standalone
    2.  Cross page linking
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  Wiki
    5.  Portable
    6.  Wiki-like interface
    7.  Personal Information Manager (PIM)
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  No Coding Required
    12.  WYSIWYG Support

    TiddlyWiki VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     

    • TiddlyWiki is the most popular Web-based & Self-Hosted alternative to Zkn (Zettelkasten).

    • TiddlyWiki is Free and Open SourceZkn (Zettelkasten) is also Free and Open Source
    • TiddlyWiki is CustomizableZkn (Zettelkasten) is not according to our users
  4. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     314 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.

    82 CherryTree alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    CherryTree screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Hierarchical Structure
    2.  Tree structure
    3.  Infinite hierarchical depth
    4.  Includes images in notes
    5.  Outliner
    6.  Tree view
    7.  Tree Style Tabs
    8.  Syntax Highlighting
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  Portable
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  No registration required

    CherryTree VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    DEVONthink icon
    DEVONthink

    Organizes documents, notes, emails, PDFs, and media using AI-powered search, tagging, and OCR. Supports offline use, syncing across macOS and iOS, encryption, web clipping, automation, and customizable grouping for efficient info...

    https://www.devontechnologies.com
    Learn More
  6. DEVONthink icon

    DEVONthink

     128 likes
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    Organizes documents, notes, emails, PDFs, and media using AI-powered search, tagging, and OCR. Supports offline use, syncing across macOS and iOS, encryption, web clipping, automation, and customizable grouping for efficient information management.

    151 DEVONthink alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    DEVONthink screenshot 1

    Top DEVONthink Features

    1.  File Tagging
    2.  Indexed search
    3.  File Organizer
    4.  Built-in viewer
    5.  Reminders
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Full-Text Search
    8.  Support for MarkDown
    9.  Split PDF files
    10.  Recurring Tasks
    11.  OCR
    12.  Support for scripting

    DEVONthink VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     

    • DEVONthink is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Zkn (Zettelkasten).

    • DEVONthink is the most popular commercial alternative to Zkn (Zettelkasten).

    • DEVONthink is Paid and ProprietaryZkn (Zettelkasten) is Free and Open Source
  7. wikidPad icon

    wikidPad

     178 likes
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    wikidPad is a Wiki-like notebook for storing your thoughts, ideas, todo lists, contacts, or anything else you can think of to write down. What makes wikidPad different from other notepad applications is the ease with which you can cross-link your information.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    wikidPad screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    Last update was in November 2018, and various links are dead on their website.

    wikidPad Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Tree structure
    3.  Wiki
    4.  Cross Linking
    5.  Outliner
    6.  Wiki-like interface
    7.  Notebook

    wikidPad VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     
  8. MyInfo icon

    MyInfo

     40 likes
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    MyInfo is a personal information manager for Windows. It will help you capture, organize, edit and share ideas, documents, tasks, and web pages.

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • BG flagBulgaria
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    MyInfo screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Outliner
    2.  Tagging
    3.  Tree structure
    4.  Web Clipper
    5.  Reminders
    6.  Portable
    7.  Full-Text Search
    8.  Hierarchical Structure
    9.  File Tagging
    10.  Built-in viewer
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  No Tracking

    MyInfo VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     
  10. nvALT icon

    nvALT

     73 likes
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    nvALT is a fork of the original Notational Velocity with some additional features and interface modifications by Brett Terpstra and ElasticThreads.

    130 nvALT alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    nvALT screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Sync with Simplenote
    3.  Integrated Search

    nvALT VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     
  11. synapsen icon

    synapsen

     4 likes
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    Synapsen is a hypertextual card index or reference organizer, which is to say a storage system on the basis of an electronic literature database that enables the management of bibliographies and notes.

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    synapsen screenshot 1

    synapsen Features

    1.  Cross-references
    2.  Wiki
    3.  Knowledge base

    synapsen VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     
  12. The Archive icon

    The Archive

     11 likes
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    Fast & clean-looking note-taking app for macOS that helps writers write and think more.

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    The Archive screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Clean design

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Full-Text Search
    3.  Distraction-free Writing
    4.  Knowledge base
    5.  Integrated Search

    The Archive VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     
  13. ProtoText icon

    ProtoText

     2 likes
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    Minimalist Card-based App to create Notes, Knowledge Networks, Presentations, Portfolios, Multilingual guides, Educational videos, Audiobooks.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    Welcome screen.

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Educational

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Portable
    7.  Zettelkasten note method
    8.  Brainstorming

    ProtoText VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     
  14. Auratikum icon

    Auratikum

     5 likes
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    Auratikum is your all-in-one, paper-writing personal assistant, so you can focus more on what matters and let Auratikum manage the rest.

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Auratikum screenshot 1

    Auratikum Features

    1.  References
    2.  Outliner
    3.  Note Manager

    Auratikum VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     

    • Auratikum is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to Zkn (Zettelkasten).

    • Auratikum is Freemium and ProprietaryZkn (Zettelkasten) is Free and Open Source

  15. Neuron

     Like
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    Neuron is a future-proof open-source CLI app for managing your plain-text notes in Zettelkasten style, as well as for publishing them on the web.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Country of Origin

    • IN flagIndia

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux

    Neuron VS Zkn (Zettelkasten)

     
12 of 12 Zkn (Zettelkasten) alternatives