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RedNotebook alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave RedNotebook: no mobile apps and no built-in sync between devices, and no official macOS support. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces RedNotebook, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Day One currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Journey logoJourneyFree plan + paidNoAndroid, iOS, macOS +48 of 864.8
2jrnl logojrnlOpen sourceYesLinux, macOS, Windows4 of 459.4
3Joplin logoJoplinOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +31 of 358.0
  1. Journey logo

    1. JourneyTop pick

    Best for: People who journal across many devices and operating systems, including Linux

    Free plan + paidSelf-hostableAndroid, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, Web, Self-hosted

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from RedNotebook

    Cross-platform journal with web, mobile and desktop apps that syncs entries across devices.

    Pros

    • Runs on nearly every platform, including Linux and Chrome OS
    • End-to-end encrypted sync
    • Self-hosted sync option via Docker
    • Exports to PDF, DOCX and ePUB

    Cons

    • Most features need a paid membership
    • Busy interface with many add-ons
    • Self-hosting is still early
    Visit Journey Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Journey a good RedNotebook alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Platforms
    Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Web, Chrome OS
    Checked Oct 29, 2026journey.cloud(opens source in a new tab)
    Linux app
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026journey.cloud(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026journey.cloud(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Docker image for sync
    Checked Oct 29, 2026journey.cloud(opens source in a new tab)
    Export
    ePUB and DOCX
    Checked Oct 29, 2026journey.cloud(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $4.17 a month, billed annually
    Checked Nov 1, 2026journey.cloud(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Nov 1, 2026journey.cloud(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime price
    Lifetime membership available
    Checked Nov 1, 2026journey.cloud(opens source in a new tab)
  2. jrnl logo

    2. jrnl

    Best for: Developers and terminal users who want a fast, future-proof plain-text journal

    Open sourceLinux, macOS, Windows

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from RedNotebook

    Free command-line journal that also keeps entries in plain text, for people who live in a terminal.

    Pros

    • Plain-text files you fully control
    • Optional AES encryption
    • Fast natural-language entry from the terminal
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Command line only, with no GUI or mobile app
    • No photos or rich media
    • No reminders or prompts
    Visit jrnl Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is jrnl a good RedNotebook alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    AES
    Checked Oct 29, 2026jrnl.sh(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Via tools like Dropbox
    Checked Oct 29, 2026jrnl.sh(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free & open source
    Checked Oct 29, 2026jrnl.sh(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Joplin logo

    3. Joplin

    Best for: Leaving Evernote for an open-source app with encrypted sync

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    58.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from RedNotebook

    Open-source Markdown notes app with sync and mobile apps that many people use as a journal.

    Pros

    • Open source with end-to-end encryption
    • Sync with your own storage
    • Imports Evernote exports

    Cons

    • Interface is plainer than commercial apps
    • Collaboration features are basic
    Visit Joplin Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.338
    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 Joplin a good RedNotebook alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Not checked yetgithub.com(opens source in a new tab)
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026joplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Evernote import
    Yes (ENEX files)
    Not checked yetjoplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best RedNotebook alternative for…

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

Day One logo

Best RedNotebook alternative for most people

Day One

Polished journaling app with mobile apps, sync and photos, if you want to write away from your desk.

jrnl logo

Best RedNotebook alternative for a free option

jrnl

Free command-line journal that also keeps entries in plain text, for people who live in a terminal.

Journey logo

Best RedNotebook alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Journey

Cross-platform journal with web, mobile and desktop apps that syncs entries across devices.

Joplin logo

Best RedNotebook alternative for open source

Joplin

Open-source Markdown notes app with sync and mobile apps that many people use as a journal.

Journey logo

Best RedNotebook alternative for self-hosting

Journey

Cross-platform journal with web, mobile and desktop apps that syncs entries across devices.

Day One logo

Best RedNotebook alternative for Mac

Day One

Polished journaling app with mobile apps, sync and photos, if you want to write away from your desk.

Day One logo

Best RedNotebook alternative for Windows

Day One

Polished journaling app with mobile apps, sync and photos, if you want to write away from your desk.

Journey logo

Best RedNotebook alternative for Linux

Journey

Cross-platform journal with web, mobile and desktop apps that syncs entries across devices.

Diaro logo

Best RedNotebook alternative for iPhone and Android

Diaro

Diary app with tags, locations and mobile apps, plus sync for writing on the go.

Day One logo

Best RedNotebook alternative for working in the browser

Day One

Polished journaling app with mobile apps, sync and photos, if you want to write away from your desk.

RedNotebook alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to RedNotebook?

Day One ranks first right now. Polished journaling app with mobile apps, sync and photos, if you want to write away from your desk. Journey and Diaro follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to RedNotebook?

Yes. Day One (free plan + paid), Journey (free plan + paid), Diaro (free plan + paid) and jrnl (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to RedNotebook?

Yes: jrnl and Joplin. Joplin can also be self-hosted.

Which RedNotebook alternatives work on Linux?

Journey, jrnl and Joplin run on Linux.

Why do people switch from RedNotebook?

The complaints we hear most: no mobile apps and no built-in sync between devices; no official macOS support; plain interface with basic formatting compared with Day One or Journey.

How is this list ranked?

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