Evernote vs Joplin: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Evernote and Joplin comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Evernote wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan. Pick Joplin if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Evernote
The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years
Best for you if:
- • You want excellent web clipper for saving articles
Joplin
Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app.
Best for you if:
- • You want open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format
| At a Glance | Evernote | Joplin |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | Free Free plan |
Category | Note-Taking Productivity | Note-Taking Productivity |
Rating | 4.4/5 Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.4 10,296 reviews | 4.3/5 SourceForge 4.3 67 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Evernote or Joplin?
Choose Evernote if
- You want excellent web clipper for saving articles
- You want strong search including handwritten notes
Choose Joplin if
- You want open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format
- You want strong emphasis on privacy with End-To-End Encryption (E2EE)
In-Depth Analysis
Evernote
The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years
Evernote's pricing is expensive, especially the Starter tier at $14.99/month for very limited features.
Strengths
- Pro: Excellent web clipper for saving articles
- Pro: Strong search including handwritten notes
- Pro: Cross-platform sync
- Pro: Mature and stable platform
- Pro: Good document scanning
Weaknesses
- Con: Free plan severely limited (2 devices only)
- Con: Expensive premium plans
- Con: Development has stagnated
- Con: Performance issues with large notebooks
- Con: Lost market share to Notion and others
Key features
Joplin
Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app.
Joplin's pricing is fair, especially for individual users.
Strengths
- Pro: Open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format.
- Pro: Strong emphasis on privacy with End-To-End Encryption (E2EE).
- Pro: Highly customizable with plugins, themes, and API.
- Pro: Available across a wide range of platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Terminal).
- Pro: Supports multimedia content and web clipping for comprehensive note-taking.
Weaknesses
- Con: E2EE setup requires manual enabling on each device.
- Con: Initial E2EE sync can be time-consuming for large note collections.
- Con: Advanced collaboration and sharing features are tied to paid Joplin Cloud plans.
Key features
Pricing: Evernote vs Joplin
| Plan | Evernote | Joplin |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Free | 2.99$ /month Basic |
| Tier 2 | $14.99 Starter | 5.99$ /month Pro |
| Tier 3 | $19.99 Advanced | 7.99$ /month (*) Teams |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Contact us Joplin Server Business |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Evernote pricing and Joplin pricing.
Key Takeaways
Evernote
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (10,296 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Joplin
- Choose if you want capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app
The Bottom Line
Evernote wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Evernote or Joplin better in 2026?
Evernote wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan. Pick Evernote for note-taking workflows (main strength: excellent web clipper for saving articles). Pick Joplin for note-taking workflows (main strength: open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format).
What are Evernote and Joplin used for?
Evernote: The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years. Joplin: Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app.
What does Evernote cost vs Joplin?
Evernote's paid plans start at Free (Starter). Joplin pricing is on their site.
What's the main difference between Evernote and Joplin?
Evernote's main strength: excellent web clipper for saving articles. Joplin's main strength: open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format.