Open-source alternatives to Evernote

1

AppFlowy

Open-source workspace for documents, databases, wikis, and AI.

AppFlowy is an AGPL-3.0 workspace with documents, databases, wikis, project management, offline support, desktop and mobile apps, AI features, and self-hosted sync.

Pricing: Free and open source; hosted sync and commercial services may be available.

• Offline support and self-hosting
• Documents, databases, and AI
• Desktop and mobile apps
• Not based around plain Markdown vaults
• More workspace-oriented than PKM-focused

2

Joplin

Cross-platform Markdown notes with encryption and sync.

Joplin is an AGPL-3.0-or-later cross-platform note-taking and PKM application with Markdown, end-to-end encryption, web clipping, attachments, plugins, offline use, and multiple synchronization options.

Pricing: Free and open source; optional hosted synchronization is available.

• Markdown and offline use
• End-to-end encryption
• Plugins, web clipper, and multiple sync options
• Less graph-focused than Obsidian
• More traditional interface
• Linking is less central

3

SiYuan

Local-first block-based personal knowledge management.

SiYuan is an AGPL-3.0 local-first PKM application with block references, documents, backlinks, graph views, databases, flashcards, rich editing, and Docker deployment.

Pricing: Free and open source under AGPL-3.0; some cloud functionality may be commercial.

• Local-first block references
• Graph view, databases, and spaced repetition
• Offline and Docker support
• Not a simple Markdown-vault model
• More complex data model
• Some cloud functionality is commercial

4

Notesnook

End-to-end encrypted notes with self-hostable sync.

Notesnook is a GPL-3.0 privacy-focused note-taking application with end-to-end encryption, cross-platform clients, note linking, a web clipper, rich editing, offline support, and self-hostable synchronization.

Pricing: Open source under GPL-3.0 with self-hostable sync; hosted services may be available.

• End-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge design
• Desktop, web, mobile, offline, and web clipper
• Self-hostable sync
• Less focused on knowledge graphs
• No Obsidian-style plugin ecosystem
• Not plain-file oriented

5

Blinko

Self-hosted AI-powered notes and personal knowledge management.

Blinko is a GPL-3.0 self-hosted note and PKM application for fast capture, Markdown, backlinks, search, AI-assisted organization, and knowledge-graph workflows.

Pricing: Free and self-hostable under GPL-3.0; external AI providers may cost money.

• Fast idea capture
• Markdown, backlinks, search, and AI
• Self-hosting and data ownership
• Younger project
• Less traditional notebook hierarchy
• AI features may require external models

6

Anytype

Local-first encrypted workspace for notes, tasks, and databases.

Anytype is a local-first encrypted workspace with notes, tasks, databases, relations, object types, graph views, offline use, and peer-to-peer synchronization. Its applications use a source-available license.

Pricing: Source available with commercial-use restrictions; hosted sync options may be paid.

• Local-first and encrypted
• Offline notes, relations, databases, and graph view
• Peer-to-peer synchronization
• Not OSI-approved open source
• Commercial restrictions apply
• Different model from Evernote

7

Beaver Notes

Offline-first private notes with local storage and Markdown.

Beaver Notes is an MIT-licensed offline-first note-taking application with local storage, Markdown, note linking, attachments, drawings, LaTeX, and user-controlled synchronization.

Pricing: Free and open source under MIT with local-first use and optional user-controlled synchronization.

• Offline-first local storage
• No mandatory account or telemetry
• Markdown, links, attachments, drawings, and LaTeX
• Smaller ecosystem
• Limited advanced PKM functionality
• No large plugin marketplace

8

Darkwrite

Privacy-focused offline note editor for desktop platforms.

Darkwrite is an AGPL-3.0 offline-first note editor focused on local writing, formatting, lists, images, customization, and export across desktop platforms.

Pricing: Free and open source under AGPL-3.0 with a local-first workflow.

• Offline-first and local data
• Cross-platform and customizable
• Simple open-source editing
• Much simpler than Obsidian
• Limited backlinks and graph functionality
• Small ecosystem

9

Cloudmark

Open-source cloud bookmark manager for saved research links.

Cloudmark is an AGPL-3.0 bookmark manager for saving and organizing webpages with browser-based capture, categories, collections, and cross-device access.

Pricing: Free and open source under AGPL-3.0; verify current project hosting.

• Browser-based capture
• Categories and collections
• Useful for saving research links
• Not a full note-taking app
• Limited document editing
• Better compared with bookmark managers

10

Justnote

Simple privacy-oriented notes with encrypted synchronization.

Justnote is a GPL-2.0 private note-taking application with synchronization and end-to-end encrypted data, focused on simple cross-device notes rather than complex personal knowledge management.

Pricing: Free and open source under GPL-2.0; verify current project availability.

• Privacy-focused encrypted synchronization
• Cross-device access
• Simple open-source interface
• Small project
• Limited PKM functionality
• No Obsidian-style graph or plugin ecosystem

11

Memos

Lightweight self-hosted Markdown timeline for quick notes.

Memos is an MIT-licensed self-hosted notes application organized around a chronological timeline for thoughts, links, logs, and short notes.

Pricing: Free and open source under MIT; self-hosted deployment is available.

• Lightweight and easy to self-host
• Markdown support
• Fast note capture
• No Obsidian-style graph
• Limited knowledge-management features

12

Tolaria

Markdown PKM with Git version control and integrated AI.

Tolaria is an AGPL-3.0 personal knowledge base built around plain Markdown files, YAML metadata, Git version control, Wikilinks, whiteboards, and local or cloud AI models.

Pricing: Free and open source under AGPL-3.0; verify current project hosting and deployment options.

• Plain Markdown and Git workflow
• Wikilinks and whiteboards
• Local/cloud AI with no mandatory account
• Younger project
• Smaller plugin ecosystem
• Less mature than Obsidian or Joplin

13

Standard Notes

Encrypted cross-platform notes with durable data ownership.

Standard Notes is an AGPL-3.0 encrypted note-taking application focused on privacy, longevity, secure synchronization, offline access, and a self-hosted server option.

Pricing: Open-source main app with self-hosting; some advanced hosted features require a subscription.

• End-to-end encryption and offline access
• Cross-platform and self-hostable
• Strong privacy and long-term data portability
• Less focused on backlinks and graphs
• Some hosted features are paid
• Less flexible than Obsidian for plugins

14

Macro Docs

Collaborative Markdown-native documents with tasks and AI agents.

Macro Docs is an AGPL-3.0 collaborative document editor connected to tasks, channels, email, people, search, comments, version history, and AI agents.

Pricing: Open source and self-hostable; hosted services may be offered separately.

• Markdown-native editing
• Real-time collaboration and AI
• Connections to tasks, messages, and workspace search
• More team-oriented than personal
• Not a traditional notebook
• Smaller ecosystem