MinkNote vs Joplin: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between MinkNote 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: Joplin wins this matchup. Our overall Note-Taking pick is Notion AI. Our free Note-Taking pick is Fathom. Pick MinkNote if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
MinkNote
Markdown notes for Mac, private and keyboard-first
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Joplin requires payment)
- • You want fully native macOS app with low resource usage compared to Electron-based alternatives
- • You want no account required and no internet needed for full functionality
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
- • You want strong emphasis on privacy with End-To-End Encryption (E2EE)
| At a Glance | MinkNote | Joplin |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | Custom |
Best For | Note-Taking | Note-Taking |
Rating | - | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose MinkNote or Joplin?
Choose MinkNote if
Markdown notes for Mac, private and keyboard-first
- You want a fully free tool (Joplin requires payment)
- You want fully native macOS app with low resource usage compared to Electron-based alternatives
- You want no account required and no internet needed for full functionality
Choose Joplin if
Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app.
- You want open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format
- You want strong emphasis on privacy with End-To-End Encryption (E2EE)
| Feature | MinkNote | Joplin |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.3/5 67 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingWriting Apps | Note-TakingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
MinkNote
Markdown notes for Mac, private and keyboard-first
MinkNote's pricing is generous since it offers a full-featured 14-day free trial with no credit card required, and after the trial the app remains usable in read-only mode at no cost.
Watch out
Read-only after 14 days limits editing
Strengths
- +Fully native macOS app with low resource usage compared to Electron-based alternatives
- +No account required and no internet needed for full functionality
- +Notes are plain files you own, readable in any editor now and in the future
Weaknesses
- -Less mature feature set compared to established apps like Obsidian, with a smaller community and plugin ecosystem
- -Only available for macOS, limiting cross-platform use
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
- +Open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format.
- +Strong emphasis on privacy with End-To-End Encryption (E2EE).
- +Highly customizable with plugins, themes, and API.
- +Available across a wide range of platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Terminal).
- +Supports multimedia content and web clipping for comprehensive note-taking.
Weaknesses
- -E2EE setup requires manual enabling on each device.
- -Initial E2EE sync can be time-consuming for large note collections.
- -Advanced collaboration and sharing features are tied to paid Joplin Cloud plans.
Key features
Pricing: MinkNote vs Joplin
| Plan | MinkNote | Joplin |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free for 14 days Free Trial | 2.99$ /month Basic |
| Tier 2 | N/A | 5.99$ /month Pro |
| Tier 3 | N/A | 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 MinkNote pricing and Joplin pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
MinkNote is free. Joplin is paid.
Go with: MinkNote
Want the highest-rated option?
Joplin is rated 4.3/5. MinkNote has no ratings yet.
Go with: Joplin
Value user reviews?
MinkNote: no ratings yet. Joplin: 67 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: Joplin
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
MinkNote is free. Joplin is paid. Go with MinkNote if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are note-taking tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Joplin is rated 4.3/5; MinkNote has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Joplin
- Our pick for this comparison
MinkNote
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Joplin wins this matchup. Our overall Note-Taking pick is Notion AI. Our free Note-Taking pick is Fathom. That said, MinkNote is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MinkNote or Joplin better?
Joplin is rated in our evaluation. MinkNote is free and Joplin is paid.
What are MinkNote and Joplin used for?
MinkNote: Markdown notes for Mac, private and keyboard-first. Joplin: Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app..
What does MinkNote cost vs Joplin?
MinkNote is completely free. Joplin is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.