Joplin review

Joplin is the open source pick, and the only app here with a Linux desktop app and a terminal version alongside Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Notes are saved in an open format, and synced notes are protected with end-to-end encryption so that no one but you can read them. You choose where they sync: Joplin Cloud, Dropbox or OneDrive. The app handles images, videos, PDFs and audio, renders math and diagrams, and a web clipper for Chrome and Firefox saves pages or screenshots as notes. Plugins, themes and a choice of Rich Text or Markdown editors let you tune it. Joplin Cloud adds sharing, collaboration and publishing notes to the web, with 2 GB of storage on Basic and 30 GB on Pro, and it is based in France. The trade-off is polish. Setting up sync and encryption takes more steps than Notion or Apple Notes, and the plans page showed us only euro prices.

Who it is for

Privacy-minded users and Linux users who want open source notes on every platform.

Price

Free open source app; Joplin Cloud plans for hosted sync. See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• End-to-end encryption for synced notes
• Sync through Joplin Cloud, Dropbox or OneDrive
• Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, plus a terminal app
• Web clipper for Chrome and Firefox
• Plugins, custom themes and Rich Text or Markdown editors

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Open source, with notes saved in an open format
• Strength: Free to use with your own Dropbox or OneDrive for sync
• Strength: Joplin Cloud is based in France under EU privacy law
• Weakness: Setting up sync and encryption takes more steps than most apps
• Weakness: Sharing and collaboration need Joplin Cloud
• Weakness: Joplin Cloud prices were shown to us only in euros

Key facts

• License: Open source
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, terminal
• Joplin Cloud Basic: 2 GB storage, 10 MB per note or attachment
• Joplin Cloud Pro: 30 GB storage, 200 MB per note or attachment
• Encryption: End-to-end

Where it ranks

Joplin is No. 9 in our Best Note Taking Apps verdict.