Overview
Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application with Markdown support, attachments, and a web clipper, designed as an Evernote alternative. Notes sync across desktop, mobile, and CLI with optional end-to-end encryption. You can self-host sync via the Joplin Server (Docker) or use Nextcloud, S3, or WebDAV backends.
Key features
- Markdown notes with attachments and to-dos
- Web clipper for saving pages
- End-to-end encrypted sync
- Sync across desktop, mobile, and CLI clients
- Multiple backends: self-hosted Joplin Server (Docker), Nextcloud, S3, or WebDAV
Our take
Joplin is a dependable Evernote alternative whose standout feature is flexible, end-to-end encrypted sync — you can run the dedicated Joplin Server in Docker or just point it at Nextcloud, S3, or WebDAV, which is rare and welcome. Markdown notes, attachments, a web clipper, and clients spanning desktop, mobile, and CLI make it a complete daily driver, and the AGPL-3.0 license keeps it firmly open. The main caveat is that you don't strictly need to self-host anything — the value is in the encryption and backend choice — so weigh whether running Joplin Server is worth it versus pointing it at storage you already have. The interface is functional rather than polished, so set expectations if you're coming from a slicker app.
Ideal for: Privacy-conscious individuals leaving Evernote who want encrypted, cross-device Markdown notes without being locked into one sync provider.
Where it falls short of Evernote
- The note editor is more basic than Notion-style block editors.
- No real-time collaborative editing; sync is eventual.
- No relational database or board views.
- Self-hosted Joplin Server setup and multi-user management is less polished than the apps.
We list the gaps honestly so you can decide if the trade-off is worth owning your data.
Tags
Claim this listing to keep it accurate, add a deploy template, or feature it on relevant pages.
Embed the Joplin difficulty badge in your README — it links back here.
[](https://openreplace.com/joplin)Similar open-source projects
Other self-hostable tools in the same space worth comparing.
Open-source Notion alternative built on Flutter and Rust
Privacy-first, local-first workspace combining docs, whiteboards, and databases
Lightweight, self-hosted note-taking and memo hub
Privacy-first, local-first outliner for networked notes