
Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app.
Visit WebsiteThe Bottom Line
Best for
Privacy-conscious users and developers who want full control over their note data, zero vendor lock-in, and are willing to trade UX polish for sovereignty. Also the top pick for users migrating off Evernote who want E2E encryption included.
Entry price
Paid plans only
Biggest pro
Open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format.
Biggest con
E2EE setup requires manual enabling on each device.
TL;DR - Joplin
- Open-source note-taking app with multimedia support.
- Features end-to-end encryption and flexible sync options.
- Offers collaboration, web clipping, and extensive customization.
What Users Say About Joplin
Joplin is the privacy-focused open-source alternative that punches above its weight. Users — frequently developers, IT teams, and privacy-conscious writers — consistently cite end-to-end encryption, self-hostable sync, and the lack of vendor lock-in as reasons to switch from Evernote or Notion. The common friction points are the UI (utilitarian, not beautiful) and the reliance on the user to set up sync (Nextcloud, Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, etc.).
Highlights
- Fully open source (AGPL) with end-to-end encryption for all synced notes
- Self-hostable sync via Nextcloud, WebDAV, or your own S3 — complete data control
- Native Evernote importer (ENEX files) — the cleanest migration path off Evernote in 2026
- Markdown-first with a capable WYSIWYG toggle
- Active development — free for personal use on desktop, iOS, Android, and web
Limitations
- UI is functional but far less polished than Apple Notes, Bear, or Notion
- Setup requires you to configure sync yourself — not a 'log in and go' experience
- Joplin Cloud (the hosted sync) is reliable but less full-featured than paid competitors
- Plugin ecosystem smaller than Obsidian's
- Team/collaboration features are minimal — this is a single-user tool by design
Best for: Privacy-conscious users and developers who want full control over their note data, zero vendor lock-in, and are willing to trade UX polish for sovereignty. Also the top pick for users migrating off Evernote who want E2E encryption included.
Editorial synthesis from industry coverage, product docs, and early user reports
Editorial policyWhat is Joplin?
Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 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.
Cons
- 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.
Ratings Across the Web
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Jun 16, 2026
Basic
2.99$ /month
Everything in all plans, plus:
- 10 MB per note or attachment
- 2 GB storage space
Pro
5.99$ /month
Everything in all plans, plus:
- 200 MB per note or attachment
- 30 GB storage space
- Share a notebook with others
- Email to Note
- Customise the note publishing banner
Teams
7.99$ /month (*)
Everything in all plans, plus:
- 200 MB per note or attachment
- 50 GB storage space
- Share a notebook with others
- Email to Note
- Customise the note publishing banner
- Manage multiple users
- Consolidated billing
- Share permissions
Joplin Server Business
Contact us
Everything in all plans, plus:
- Share a notebook with others
- Email to Note
- Customise the note publishing banner
- Manage multiple users
- Share permissions
- Priority support
- Self-hosted
- Source code available
Included in all plans
- Publish notes to the internet
- Sync as many devices as you want
- Collaborate on a notebook with others
How Joplin's pricing compares
At $3.22/mo, Joplin is the most affordable of its 5 direct competitors.
Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Jun 16, 2026.
Reviews

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Explore More
Joplin FAQ
How does Joplin support multimedia content within notes?
Which teams would benefit most from using Joplin?
How does Joplin compare to Evernote regarding data privacy?
What kind of limitations exist when setting up end-to-end encryption in Joplin?
How is Joplin priced?
Can Joplin be used to save web pages and screenshots?
Does Joplin offer synchronization options beyond its own cloud service?
Source: joplinapp.org