Joplin
Free, open-source note-taking and to-do app with end-to-end encryption
Founded
2017
Starting Price
$0
Category
Productivity
Last updated April 27, 2026
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
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
Pricing
Free (Self-Hosted)
$0
- All core features
- Markdown & rich text editing
- End-to-end encryption
- Sync via Dropbox/OneDrive/WebDAV
- Plugin support
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
Similar Tools
Featured In
#5
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
#2
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.
