Joplin

A free, open source note-taking and to-do application

softwareNote TakingNote-takingTo-doMarkdown

Visit Website

Alternatives

logseqAI-suggested

Choose logseq if…

you need bi‑directional links between notes
you need hierarchical page organization
you want daily note journaling
you need built‑in task management
you prefer a highly customizable UI

See details

TriliumAI-suggested

Choose Trilium if…

you need a tree‑structured note hierarchy
you want self‑hosted storage for full control
you rely on powerful full‑text search across thousands of
you require extensive UI customization
you need to link notes to form a knowledge graph

See details

nbAI-suggested

Choose nb if…

you need a distraction‑free, minimal UI
you rely on keyboard shortcuts for fast note editing
you only work on desktop/laptop and don’t need a mobile app
you want simple PDF/HTML export without extra plugins

See details

LavernaAI-suggested

Choose Laverna if…

you need a distraction‑free Markdown editor
you need local encryption before cloud sync
you are fine with web‑only access (no mobile app)
you prefer a minimal interface over advanced features
you want an integrated simple task manager

See details

VNoteAI-suggested

Choose VNote if…

you need Vim‑style keybindings for fast navigation
you need syntax‑highlighted code snippets in notes
you need a built‑in file manager to organize code files
you need distraction‑free mode tuned for coding sessions

See details

How to Decide

Joplin is a free, open‑source note‑taking and to‑do app popular with students and researchers. The alternatives split into a few clear camps: logseq leans on bi‑directional links and a hierarchical knowledge graph for personal knowledge bases; nb emphasizes a minimal‑istic, distraction‑free interface for writers and students; VNote focuses on Vim‑inspired keybindings and code‑snippet management for programmers; Trilium offers a self‑hosted, hierarchical note structure with powerful full‑text search for researchers; open‑notebook provides a live Markdown preview and deep UI customisation for students and researchers.

All Alternatives

logseq

AI-suggested

Logseq is a knowledge management tool that helps users organize their thoughts, notes, and ideas in a structured and connected way. It allows users to create a personal knowledge base that is easily searchable and navigable.

✦ Best for individuals seeking flexible knowledge management.

FreeAGPL-3.0WebWindowsMacMarkdown SupportBi-directional LinksDaily Notes

Trilium

AI-suggested

Trilium is a note-taking application with a strong focus on building large personal knowledge bases. It is designed to be a long-term companion for thinking and learning.

✦ Best for researchers seeking customizable, hierarchical note organization

FreeAGPL-3.0WebWindowsMacHierarchical NotesTagging SystemLinking Notes

nb

AI-suggested

nb is a free, open-source, note-taking app that allows users to create and manage notes in a simple and intuitive way. It's designed to be minimalistic and distraction-free, making it ideal for users who want to focus on their writing.

✦ Best for writers seeking minimal distraction

FreeAGPL-3.0WebWindowsMacSimple InterfaceMarkdown SupportNote Organization

Laverna

AI-suggested

Laverna is a JavaScript note-taking app with a Markdown editor and encryption support. It's built to be an open-source alternative to popular note-taking apps like Evernote.

✦ Best for solo freelancers with security concerns

FreeMPL-2.0WebWindowsMacMarkdown EditorEncryptionTagging

VNote

AI-suggested

VNote is a Vim-inspired note-taking application that supports Markdown and has many features that are useful for programmers. It is designed to be fast, efficient, and customizable.

✦ Best for solo programmers and markdown enthusiasts

FreeLGPL-3.0WindowsMacLinuxMarkdown SupportVim KeybindingsCode Snippets