Joplin
Free, open-source note-taking and to-do app with end-to-end encryption
About Joplin
Joplin is a free, open-source note-taking and to-do application that handles large numbers of notes organized into notebooks. It supports Markdown editing, end-to-end encryption, and synchronization across all major platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, or self-hosted solutions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no feature locks on the core app
- Strong privacy with end-to-end encryption and self-hosting options
- Excellent cross-platform support including desktop and mobile
- Rich plugin ecosystem for extensive customization
- Supports multiple sync providers including self-hosted options
- Active open-source community with regular updates
Cons
- Interface can feel dense and overwhelming for new users
- No OCR for PDFs making scanned document search difficult
- Limited customer support since it relies on community forums
- Mobile app experience can be unpolished with occasional bugs
- Cloud plans are priced in euros which can be confusing for non-EU users
Key Features
Markdown & Rich Text Editor
Write notes in Markdown or use the built-in rich text editor with formatting toolbar
End-to-End Encryption
Secure your notes with E2EE so only you can access your data
Cross-Platform Sync
Synchronize notes across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via multiple cloud providers
Web Clipper
Browser extension for Chrome and Firefox to save web pages and screenshots as notes
Plugin Ecosystem
Extend functionality with community plugins, custom themes, and the Extension API
Offline Access
Access all your notes without internet connection with automatic sync when reconnected
Multimedia Support
Attach images, videos, PDFs, and audio files to notes with inline rendering
To-Do Management
Create to-do items with alarms and reminders integrated alongside your notes
Note Sharing & Collaboration
Share notes and notebooks with others and collaborate via Joplin Cloud
Math & Diagrams
Create mathematical expressions and diagrams directly within notes using KaTeX and Mermaid
Pricing
- All core features
- Markdown & rich text editing
- End-to-end encryption
- Sync via Dropbox/OneDrive/WebDAV
- Plugin support
- Offline access
- Joplin Cloud sync
- 2 GB storage
- 10 MB per note/attachment
- Publish notes to internet
- Multi-device sync
- Collaboration
- Everything in Basic
- 10 GB storage
- Larger attachments
- Priority support
- Everything in Pro
- 10 GB per user
- Team collaboration
- Shared notebooks
- Admin controls
Best For
Privacy-Focused Note-Taking
Ideal for users who want full control over their data with end-to-end encryption and self-hosting options
Developer Documentation
Perfect for developers who prefer Markdown-based note-taking with code block support and plugin extensibility
Web Research & Clipping
Save web pages, screenshots, and articles directly from the browser using the web clipper extension
Cross-Platform Personal Knowledge Base
Build a personal knowledge base accessible from any device with automatic synchronization
Open-Source Alternative to Evernote
Free replacement for proprietary note-taking apps with import support from Evernote and other services
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Featured In
7 Best Open-Source Note-Taking Apps for Knowledge Management (2026)
Best for straightforward note-taking with strong privacy — Joplin is ideal for users migrating from Evernote who want reliable Markdown notes, web clipping, and E2E encryption without learning a new knowledge paradigm
Logseq vs Joplin vs AppFlowy: Which Open-Source PKM Tool Fits Your Brain? (2026)
The most reliable and private option — choose Joplin if you need encrypted, cross-platform notes that sync flawlessly and you value proven stability over cutting-edge PKM features.
4 Notion Alternatives With Better Offline Support for Travelers (2026)
Best for security-conscious travelers who need simple, encrypted offline notes — Joplin's flexible sync, end-to-end encryption, and web clipping make it the most reliable tool for building and accessing a reference library without internet.
Best Note Apps With iOS Widgets for Quick Capture (2026)
Best for self-hosters and privacy-first users who want encrypted capture without a SaaS subscription.
Best Note-Taking Apps for Mobile Capture (2026)
Best for share-sheet-heavy clippers who want bulletproof reliability and zero vendor lock-in.