Joplin

Open-source Markdown notebook that syncs to storage you control.

joplinapp.org

FreemiumOpen SourceE2E EncryptedWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSFrance

Pricing The app is free and syncs to storage you control; optional Joplin Cloud hosting runs from about €2.40/mo (Basic) up to €6.69/mo (Teams).

Joplin is a mature, open-source (AGPL-3.0) Markdown notebook whose big strength is control: you choose where notes sync, whether that is Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, Dropbox or plain WebDAV. End-to-end encryption is available but off by default and has to be switched on so it asks a little more of you than a managed service. The app itself is free; only hosted Joplin Cloud sync and its publishing and collaboration extras cost money. The company is based in France, keeping its cloud data under EU and GDPR protection. Pick it if you want to own your storage and do not mind a steeper setup.

Strengths

  • Open source (AGPL-3.0) with a large, active community
  • Sync to storage you control, no vendor lock-in
  • Markdown with a web clipper and plugins
  • France-based, EU and GDPR jurisdiction

Considerations

  • End-to-end encryption is opt-in, not default
  • Steeper setup than a managed app

Listed in Notes

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