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Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app.

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67 reviews tracked

The 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.
Pricing: Paid only
Best for: Privacy-conscious users and developers who want full control over their note data, zero vendor lock-in, and are willing to trad…
4.3/5 across review platforms

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 policy

What is Joplin?

Editorial review
Joplin is an open-source note-taking application designed to help users capture, organize, and access their thoughts and information across multiple devices. It supports various note types, including multimedia notes with images, videos, PDFs, and audio files, and allows for the creation of math expressions and diagrams directly within the app. Users can also save web pages and screenshots as notes using a web clipper extension for Chrome and Firefox. The application emphasizes data ownership and privacy, saving notes in an open format and offering end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to ensure that only the user can access their data. Joplin provides flexible synchronization options, including its own Joplin Cloud service, as well as third-party services like Dropbox and OneDrive. With Joplin Cloud, users can also collaborate on notebooks, publish notes to the internet, and manage multiple users for team environments. It is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and even as a terminal app, catering to a wide range of users from individuals to teams seeking a secure and customizable note-taking solution.

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

4.3(67 reviews)

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Multimedia notes (images, videos, PDFs, audio)Math expressions and diagramsWeb clipper extension (Chrome, Firefox)Customizable with plugins, themes, and text editors (Rich Text/Markdown)Extension API for custom scripts and pluginsCross-device synchronization (Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, OneDrive)End-To-End Encryption (E2EE)Collaboration on notebooks (Joplin Cloud)

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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4.3/5

Across 67 verified user reviews on SourceForge

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Joplin FAQ

How does Joplin support multimedia content within notes?

Joplin allows users to embed various types of multimedia directly into their notes, including images, videos, PDFs, and audio files. It also supports the creation of math expressions and diagrams, enhancing the richness of captured information.

Which teams would benefit most from using Joplin?

Teams seeking a secure and customizable note-taking solution will find Joplin beneficial, especially those prioritizing data ownership and privacy. Its collaboration features through Joplin Cloud and multi-user management cater to team environments.

How does Joplin compare to Evernote regarding data privacy?

Joplin emphasizes data ownership and privacy by saving notes in an open format and offering end-to-end encryption (E2EE). This ensures that only the user can access their data, a key differentiator in its approach to security.

What kind of limitations exist when setting up end-to-end encryption in Joplin?

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) in Joplin requires manual enabling on each device where the application is used. Additionally, the initial synchronization process can be time-consuming, especially for users with extensive note collections.

How is Joplin priced?

Joplin is a paid product and does not offer a permanently free tier for its services. Advanced collaboration and sharing features, such as those for teams, are specifically tied to paid Joplin Cloud plans.

Can Joplin be used to save web pages and screenshots?

Yes, Joplin includes a web clipper extension for Chrome and Firefox, allowing users to save web pages and screenshots directly as notes. This feature helps in consolidating research and information within the application.

Does Joplin offer synchronization options beyond its own cloud service?

Joplin provides flexible synchronization options, including its dedicated Joplin Cloud service. Users can also choose to synchronize their notes using third-party services such as Dropbox and OneDrive, offering versatility in data management.

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