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Standard Notes alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Standard Notes: free plan is limited to plain-text notes, and paid plans cost more than many rivals. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Standard Notes, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Joplin currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Joplin logoJoplinOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +31 of 372.8
2Obsidian logoObsidianFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +22 of 370.9
3Anytype logoAnytypeFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +22 of 369.0
4Notesnook logoNotesnookFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +45 of 566.5
5Simplenote logoSimplenoteFreeNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 453.6
6Proton Docs logoProton DocsFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 450.3
  1. Joplin logo

    1. JoplinTop pick

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

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

    72.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Standard Notes

    Open-source notes with optional end-to-end encryption over your own sync service.

    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 ×0.387
    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 Joplin a good Standard Notes 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 24, 2026joplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Evernote import
    Yes (ENEX files)
    Not checked yetjoplinapp.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Obsidian logo

    2. Obsidian

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

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

    70.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Standard Notes

    Local Markdown files that never leave your device unless you choose to sync.

    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 ×0.369
    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 Standard Notes 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)
  3. Anytype logo

    3. Anytype

    Best for: A private, offline-capable alternative to Notion

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

    69.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Standard Notes

    Local-first, encrypted workspace with objects and linked notes.

    Pros

    • Local-first with end-to-end encryption
    • Notion-like objects and views
    • Works offline

    Cons

    • Source-available, not OSI open source
    • Smaller template and integration ecosystem
    Visit Anytype Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 Anytype a good Standard Notes alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Encryption
    End-to-end
    Checked Oct 24, 2026anytype.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Local-first
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026anytype.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes
    Not checked yetanytype.io(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Notesnook logo

    4. Notesnook

    Best for: Privacy-conscious users who want an encrypted, Evernote-style notes app

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

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Standard Notes

    Also encrypted and open source, with a richer editor and a cheaper entry plan.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encrypted by default
    • Apps and sync server are open source
    • Free plan with unlimited notes and devices
    • Rich editor with attachments

    Cons

    • Limited real-time collaboration
    • Storage and notebooks capped on lower plans
    • Fewer integrations than mainstream apps
    Visit Notesnook Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    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 Notesnook a good Standard Notes alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Unlimited notes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notesnook.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days on paid plans
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notesnook.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, web
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notesnook.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open-source server
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026notesnook.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Simplenote logo

    5. Simplenote

    Best for: People who want fast, free plain-text notes on every device

    FreeWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Standard Notes

    Simpler and completely free if encryption is not a priority.

    Pros

    • Completely free, with no paid tier or ads
    • Apps for every major platform plus the web
    • Fast and distraction-free
    • Markdown preview and version history

    Cons

    • No images, attachments or rich text
    • No folders or backlinks, only tags
    • Slow pace of new features
    • No end-to-end encryption
    Visit Simplenote Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    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 Simplenote a good Standard Notes alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, web
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline mode
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Automattic
    Checked Oct 25, 2026simplenote.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Proton Docs logo

    6. Proton Docs

    Best for: Privacy-minded people who want Google Docs-style collaboration with encryption

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

    50.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Standard Notes

    Encrypted documents inside Proton's suite if you already use Proton Mail.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encrypted with real-time collaboration
    • Included free with a Proton account
    • Pairs with Proton Mail, Drive and Pass in one bundle

    Cons

    • Fewer formatting options and templates than Google Docs
    • Young product still adding features
    • Free plan storage is small
    Visit Proton Docs Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    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 Proton Docs a good Standard Notes alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    5 GB storage
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $4.99/month (Drive Plus, 200 GB)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)
    Spreadsheets
    Proton Sheets, imports Excel files
    Checked Oct 25, 2026proton.me(opens source in a new tab)

The best Standard Notes alternative for…

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

Joplin logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for most people

Joplin

Open-source notes with optional end-to-end encryption over your own sync service.

Simplenote logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for a free option

Simplenote

Simpler and completely free if encryption is not a priority.

Obsidian logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Obsidian

Local Markdown files that never leave your device unless you choose to sync.

Notesnook logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for open source

Notesnook

Also encrypted and open source, with a richer editor and a cheaper entry plan.

Joplin logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for self-hosting

Joplin

Open-source notes with optional end-to-end encryption over your own sync service.

Anytype logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for Mac

Anytype

Local-first, encrypted workspace with objects and linked notes.

Proton Docs logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for Windows

Proton Docs

Encrypted documents inside Proton's suite if you already use Proton Mail.

Joplin logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for Linux

Joplin

Open-source notes with optional end-to-end encryption over your own sync service.

Joplin logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for iPhone and Android

Joplin

Open-source notes with optional end-to-end encryption over your own sync service.

Notesnook logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for working in the browser

Notesnook

Also encrypted and open source, with a richer editor and a cheaper entry plan.

Standard Notes alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Standard Notes?

Joplin ranks first right now. Open-source notes with optional end-to-end encryption over your own sync service. Obsidian and Anytype follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Standard Notes?

Yes. Joplin (open source), Obsidian (free plan + paid), Anytype (free plan + paid) and Notesnook (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Standard Notes?

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

Which Standard Notes alternatives work on Linux?

Joplin, Obsidian, Anytype, Notesnook and Simplenote run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Standard Notes?

The complaints we hear most: free plan is limited to plain-text notes; paid plans cost more than many rivals; editors feel less polished than mainstream apps.

How is this list ranked?

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