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Joplin alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Joplin: interface is plainer than commercial apps, and collaboration features are basic. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Joplin, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Obsidian currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Obsidian logoObsidianFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +22 of 380.3
2Logseq logoLogseqOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +21 of 372.8
3Evernote logoEvernoteFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +22 of 358.3
4Standard Notes logoStandard NotesFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +45 of 540.0
5Trilium Notes logoTrilium NotesOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 440.0
  1. Obsidian logo

    1. ObsidianTop pick

    Best for: People who want to own their notes as local Markdown files

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    80.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Joplin

    More powerful linking and plugins, still local Markdown files.

    Pros

    • Notes are plain Markdown files you own
    • Works fully offline
    • Huge plugin ecosystem

    Cons

    • Official sync is a paid add-on
    • Real-time collaboration is limited
    Visit Obsidian Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Obsidian a good Joplin alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free, no sign-up required
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    Local Markdown files
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Paid add-on
    Not checked yetobsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Logseq logo

    2. Logseq

    Best for: Outliner thinkers who want local, open-source notes with backlinks

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    72.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Joplin

    Open-source outliner with backlinks and a daily journal.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Local Markdown or Org files
    • Strong backlinks and block references

    Cons

    • Outliner-only structure isn't for everyone
    • Mobile apps feel less polished
    Visit Logseq Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Logseq a good Joplin alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    Local Markdown/Org files
    Not checked yetlogseq.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free
    Not checked yetlogseq.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Evernote logo

    3. EvernoteAcquired

    Best for: Capturing web clippings, scans and mixed media in one searchable archive

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    58.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Joplin

    Polished commercial app with excellent clipping and search.

    Pros

    • Excellent web clipper
    • Search inside images and PDFs
    • Mature apps on every platform

    Cons

    • Free tier is restrictive
    • Frequent plan changes since the acquisition
    Visit Evernote Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Evernote a good Joplin alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, with limits
    Checked Oct 24, 2026evernote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Web clipper
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026evernote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Bending Spoons
    Not checked yetevernote.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Standard Notes logo

    4. Standard Notes

    Best for: Privacy-focused users who want every note end-to-end encrypted

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Joplin

    Encrypted notes with audited security and polished official sync.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encryption on every plan
    • Open-source, independently audited code
    • Free plan works on unlimited devices
    • Self-hostable sync server

    Cons

    • Free plan is limited to plain-text notes
    • Paid plans cost more than many rivals
    • Editors feel less polished than mainstream apps
    Visit Standard Notes Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Standard Notes a good Joplin alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes, on all plans
    Checked Oct 25, 2026standardnotes.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Productivity plan
    $90 per year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026standardnotes.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Professional plan
    $120 per year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026standardnotes.com(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Venture capital
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026standardnotes.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Trilium Notes logo

    5. Trilium Notes

    Best for: Tinkerers who want a large, scriptable knowledge base on their own server

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Web, Self-hosted

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Joplin

    A free, self-hosted knowledge base for very large note collections.

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no paid tiers
    • Handles very large hierarchical note trees
    • Scripting, templates and relations
    • Works offline with no account

    Cons

    • No official mobile app
    • You host your own sync server
    • Interface feels dated
    Visit Trilium Notes Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Trilium Notes a good Joplin alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    AGPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free, no paid tiers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026triliumnotes.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026triliumnotes.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Official mobile app
    No
    Checked Oct 25, 2026triliumnotes.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Joplin alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Obsidian logo

Best Joplin alternative for most people

Obsidian

More powerful linking and plugins, still local Markdown files.

Logseq logo

Best Joplin alternative for a free option

Logseq

Open-source outliner with backlinks and a daily journal.

Evernote logo

Best Joplin alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Evernote

Polished commercial app with excellent clipping and search.

Standard Notes logo

Best Joplin alternative for open source

Standard Notes

Encrypted notes with audited security and polished official sync.

Trilium Notes logo

Best Joplin alternative for self-hosting

Trilium Notes

A free, self-hosted knowledge base for very large note collections.

Obsidian logo

Best Joplin alternative for Mac

Obsidian

More powerful linking and plugins, still local Markdown files.

Obsidian logo

Best Joplin alternative for Windows

Obsidian

More powerful linking and plugins, still local Markdown files.

Obsidian logo

Best Joplin alternative for Linux

Obsidian

More powerful linking and plugins, still local Markdown files.

Obsidian logo

Best Joplin alternative for iPhone and Android

Obsidian

More powerful linking and plugins, still local Markdown files.

Evernote logo

Best Joplin alternative for working in the browser

Evernote

Polished commercial app with excellent clipping and search.

Joplin alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Joplin?

Obsidian ranks first right now. More powerful linking and plugins, still local Markdown files. Logseq and Evernote follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Joplin?

Yes. Obsidian (free plan + paid), Logseq (open source), Evernote (free plan + paid) and Standard Notes (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Joplin?

Yes: Logseq, Standard Notes and Trilium Notes. Standard Notes and Trilium Notes can also be self-hosted.

Which Joplin alternatives work on Linux?

Obsidian, Logseq, Standard Notes and Trilium Notes run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Joplin?

The complaints we hear most: interface is plainer than commercial apps; collaboration features are basic.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Joplin, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.