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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. Obsidian currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Joplin logoJoplinOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +31 of 369.7
2Notesnook logoNotesnookFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +45 of 566.5
  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

    69.7

    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) ×0.1579
    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. Notesnook logo

    2. 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)

The best Standard Notes alternative for…

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

Obsidian logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for most people

Obsidian

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

Joplin logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for a free option

Joplin

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

Anytype logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Anytype

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

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.

Simplenote logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for Mac

Simplenote

Simpler and completely free if encryption is not a priority.

Proton Docs logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for Windows

Proton Docs

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

Obsidian logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for Linux

Obsidian

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

Obsidian logo

Best Standard Notes alternative for iPhone and Android

Obsidian

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

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?

Obsidian ranks first right now. Local Markdown files that never leave your device unless you choose to sync. Joplin and Anytype follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Standard Notes?

Yes. Obsidian (free plan + paid), Joplin (open source), 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?

Obsidian, Joplin, 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.