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Joplin

Productivity & Notes

4.4(20 ratings)

88% recommend

Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application.

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About Joplin

Best for privacy-minded individuals wanting a free, open-source note app.

Joplin is a free, open-source note-taking and to-do application that supports Markdown formatting and end-to-end encryption. It allows users to organize notes into notebooks, tag them, and sync across multiple devices using services like Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Joplin Cloud. The app is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, making it a genuinely cross-platform solution. It's particularly popular among privacy-conscious users and those migrating from Evernote, as it offers a straightforward import tool. While it may lack the polish of some commercial alternatives, its flexibility, plugin ecosystem, and commitment to open-source principles make it a strong choice for technical users.

Pros

Completely free and open-source with no vendor lock-in
End-to-end encryption for secure note syncing
Cross-platform support including Linux desktop
Extensive plugin system for added functionality
Easy import from Evernote and other apps

Cons

User interface feels dated compared to modern alternatives
Web clipper is less powerful than Evernote's
Collaboration features are limited for team use
Sync setup can be complex for non-technical users

Use Cases

Best for privacy-focused individuals who need encrypted note syncing across devices

Best for developers and technical users who prefer Markdown-based note-taking

Best for Evernote users looking for a free open-source alternative

Best for researchers organizing large collections of notes, web clippings, and references

Key Features

6 features

Markdown support for notes

End-to-end encryption for security

Web clipper for saving content

Cross-platform synchronization capabilities

Task management with to-do lists

Tagging system for organization

SaasHunter Score

7.6/10

“You're looking for a free, open-source note-taking option with strong organizational features and no hidden costs.”

Ease of Use

7.0

Features

8.0

Pricing

10.0

Support

6.0

Integrations

7.0

Best For

Freelancers 8Small Business 7Agencies 6Startups 6Enterprise 5

Integrations

NextcloudDropboxOneDriveJoplin CloudAmazon S3WebDAVGitHub (via plugins)

Productivity Notes Open Source Content Curation Traditional Note Taking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joplin?

Joplin is a free, open-source note-taking and to-do application that supports Markdown, end-to-end encryption, and cross-device syncing. It's available on all major desktop and mobile platforms.

How much does Joplin cost?

The Joplin desktop and mobile apps are completely free. Joplin Cloud, the optional sync service, offers plans starting at around €2.99/month for the Basic plan and €5.99/month for the Pro plan.

What are the main features of Joplin?

Key features include Markdown editing, notebook organization with tags, end-to-end encryption, a web clipper browser extension, file attachments, and synchronization via multiple cloud services. It also supports plugins for extended functionality.

Who should use Joplin?

Joplin is ideal for privacy-conscious individuals, developers comfortable with Markdown, and anyone seeking a free alternative to proprietary note-taking apps like Evernote or OneNote.

Is there a free plan for Joplin?

Yes, Joplin itself is entirely free and open-source. You can sync notes for free using your own Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, or WebDAV server, though the optional Joplin Cloud sync service is a paid offering.