Joplin vs Standard Notes: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Joplin and Standard Notes side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
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:
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
Standard Notes
Secure, end-to-end encrypted note-taking with unparalleled privacy and cross-platform syncing.
Best for you if:
- • You want strong end-to-end encryption ensures high data privacy and security
| At a Glance | Joplin | Standard Notes |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $3.22/mo, billed monthly Basic plan | Free plan, paid from $7.50/mo, billed yearly Productivity plan |
Category | Note-Taking Productivity | Note-Taking Productivity |
Rating | 4.4/5 SourceForge 4.3 · G2 4.8 · Trustpilot 3.7 73 reviews | 4.3/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.0 27 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Higher tiers needed for file storage |
Choose Joplin or Standard 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)
Choose Standard Notes if
- You want strong end-to-end encryption ensures high data privacy and security
- You want cross-platform availability with seamless syncing across unlimited devices
In-Depth Analysis
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
Standard Notes
Secure, end-to-end encrypted note-taking with unparalleled privacy and cross-platform syncing.
Standard Notes offers a generous free tier with core privacy features.
Watch out
Higher tiers needed for file storage
Strengths
- Pro: Strong end-to-end encryption ensures high data privacy and security.
- Pro: Cross-platform availability with seamless syncing across unlimited devices.
- Pro: Offers a free tier with core encryption and syncing features.
- Pro: Supports diverse note types, catering to various needs beyond simple text.
- Pro: Open-source and independently audited code builds trust and transparency.
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced features like rich text editing, spreadsheets, and file storage are locked behind paid plans.
- Con: The free version is limited to plain text notes.
- Con: No specific cons mentioned regarding performance or usability in the provided text.
Key features
Plans and prices: Joplin vs Standard Notes
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Joplin |
| joplinapp.org/plans read Oct 28, 2026 |
| Standard Notes |
| standardnotes.com/plans read Nov 2, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Joplin pricing and Standard Notes pricing.
Key Takeaways
Joplin
- Choose if you want capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app
Standard Notes
- Choose if you want secure, end-to-end encrypted note-taking with unparalleled privacy and cross-platform syncing
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 73 reviews for Joplin, 4.3/5 from 27 reviews for Standard Notes).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Joplin $3.22/mo, billed monthly; Standard Notes $7.50/mo, billed yearly.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Joplin and Standard Notes compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 73 reviews for Joplin, 4.3/5 from 27 reviews for Standard Notes). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Joplin $3.22/mo, billed monthly; Standard Notes $7.50/mo, billed yearly. Both have a free plan.
What are Joplin and Standard Notes used for?
Joplin: Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app. Standard Notes: Secure, end-to-end encrypted note-taking with unparalleled privacy and cross-platform syncing.
What does Joplin cost vs Standard Notes?
Joplin's cheapest paid plan is Basic at $3.22/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Standard Notes's cheapest paid plan is Productivity at $7.50/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 2, 2026.
What's the main difference between Joplin and Standard Notes?
Joplin's main strength: open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format. Standard Notes's main strength: strong end-to-end encryption ensures high data privacy and security.