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Notes

Joplin

Write and organize notes with optional sync using your storage.

Privacy score 87 Free Technical: Intermediate Open source
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Joplin offers a privacy-conscious alternative in the notes space, with a stronger focus on data protection than many mainstream tools.

Web Android iOS Desktop

Who is this for?

✓ Good for you if:

  • • Note-takers who want open-source clients with
  • • People who prefer markdown, notebooks, and tagging
  • • Users who might self-host or use their own
  • • Privacy-focused folks moving off Evernote/OneNote

⚠ Think twice if:

  • • You need Google Docs–style live co-editing
  • • You want rich WYSIWYG collaboration with tracked changes
  • • You cannot manage sync targets or keys
  • • You require polished enterprise integrations out of the box

Overview

Joplin is an open-source note-taking application that allows users to organize notes, to-dos, and other information across multiple devices. The application supports markdown formatting, attachments, tags, and notebooks for organization. Joplin offers end-to-end encryption

for notes when syncing through supported cloud services, ensuring that notes remain private even when stored in the cloud. The application is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and as a web clipper for browsers. Joplin can sync notes through various services including Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Joplin Cloud, or users can self-host their own sync server. The application supports importing from Evernote and other note-taking services. Joplin is completely free and open source (MIT License), with optional paid Joplin Cloud service for sync. The application is particularly useful for users who want a powerful, open-source alternative to proprietary note-taking services with strong privacy protections and cross-platform synchronization.

Privacy highlight

Open-source note-taking with optional

. Self-hostable sync server. Cross-platform synchronization with strong privacy controls.

Quick facts

Country:
Decentralized (open source)
Pricing:
Free
Platform:
Web, Android, iOS, Desktop
Technical:
Intermediate
:
Yes
:
Minimal telemetry
:
Yes
Open-source status:
Fully open source
:
Yes
:
Yes

Key features

  • Secure note-taking application.
Security & encryption Click to expand
Yes
Encryption protocols
AES-256, ,
Joplin uses for notes when syncing through supported services. keys are derived from a user-defined master password on the client side. Notes are encrypted using AES-256-CBC before synchronization. The master password is never transmitted to servers - all and decryption happens locally. Joplin supports for notes, but is optional and must be enabled by the user. When is enabled, the master password is required to decrypt notes on all devices.
Offline support
Yes
Telemetry & tracking Click to expand
Minimal telemetry
No
Ip no
Joplin collects minimal data for service operation and improvement. The application collects basic usage statistics including app version, platform, and feature usage. Joplin does not collect note contents, user passwords, or personal information. data is anonymized and aggregated. Users can disable through settings. The application uses to improve performance and fix bugs. Joplin routes through its own infrastructure.
Jurisdiction & compliance Click to expand
Joplin is open-source software with no central jurisdiction. When using Joplin Cloud, data is stored on servers in the jurisdiction chosen by the service. When using self-hosted sync or third-party services, data residency depends on the service provider. Users have control over data residency when self-hosting.
Joplin retention depends on the sync service used. When using Joplin Cloud, encrypted notes are retained on Joplin servers. When using self-hosted sync or third-party services, retention depends on the service provider. Joplin does not retain unencrypted note data - all data is encrypted on the client before transmission when is enabled. The application retains logs for debugging purposes locally. Users can delete notes and accounts at any time. Self-hosted instances have complete control over .
Legal frameworks
List applicable frameworks once confirmed (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, LGPD).
Revenue sources
Donations, Subscription
Editorial signals Click to expand
87
Trust score
88
Trust breakdown (0–10)
Encryption: 90, Audits: 75, Open source: 95, Telemetry: 85, Jurisdiction: 100, Transparency: 85, Trackers: 95
Editorial notes
Usability: 85, Performance: 80, Family friendly: 90
User experience Click to expand
Signup requirements
email
Onboarding difficulty (1-5)
2
Accessibility features
Web-based interface with keyboard navigation and screen reader support
Backup & portability Click to expand
Yes
Migration tools
Import from Evernote, Export to Markdown, Import from other note apps
Note version history, Backup restoration

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