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Open-source notes

14 notes whose code is public under an OSI-approved license, rated for privacy with evidence. Picks first, then by score.

  1. Standard Notes Grade A

    End-to-end encrypted notes app for web, desktop and mobile, with open source clients and server. Paid plans add editors, file storage and more; the server can be self-hosted.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  2. Fossify Notes Grade B

    Open source Android note-taking app for text notes and checklists, with a home screen widget. Works offline with no internet permission.

    GPL-3.0. Source code

  3. Markor Grade B

    Open source Android text editor and notebook for Markdown, todo.txt and plain-text files stored locally. Works offline and can use any sync app for the files.

    Apache-2.0. Source code

  4. Memos Grade B

    Open source, self-hosted note-taking service for quick Markdown notes in a timeline, with tags, file attachments and an API. Runs as a single lightweight server with a web interface and stores data in SQLite, MySQL or PostgreSQL.

    MIT. Source code

  5. Poznote Grade B

    Self-hosted notes and tasks web app with rich-text, Markdown and drawing editors, tags, multiple users, OIDC login and a REST API. Runs in Docker with PHP and SQLite.

    MIT. Source code

  6. SiYuan Grade B

    Local-first personal knowledge management app with Markdown editing, block-level references, bidirectional links and databases. Data stays on the device, with optional paid end-to-end encrypted cloud sync or third-party storage sync.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  7. Trilium Notes Grade B

    Open source hierarchical note-taking app for building a personal knowledge base, with rich text, code, diagrams, scripting and per-note encryption. Runs on the desktop or syncs with a self-hosted server. Maintained by the TriliumNext community.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

  8. VNote Grade B

    Qt-based note-taking app for Linux, Windows and macOS focused on Markdown editing. Notes are stored as plain files on the local system.

    LGPL-3.0. Source code

  9. Notesnook Grade C

    End-to-end encrypted note-taking app with rich text notes, notebooks, tags, app lock and private vault. Open source clients and sync server; paid plans add storage and features.

    GPL-3.0 for the apps. The sync server is AGPL-3.0. Source code

  10. QOwnNotes Grade C

    Open source desktop notepad that stores notes as plain-text Markdown files, with optional Nextcloud or ownCloud sync, note versioning, per-note encryption, scripting and a to-do list integration.

    GPL-2.0. Source code

  11. Turtl Grade C

    End-to-end encrypted, collaborative notebook for notes, bookmarks, passwords and files, with desktop and mobile apps. Can be self-hosted or used with the hosted service.

    GPL-3.0. Source code

  12. Zettlr Grade C

    Open source Markdown editor for notes and academic writing, with Zettelkasten linking, citation management through Zotero and CSL, and export through Pandoc. Works on local files.

    GPL-3.0. Source code

  13. AppFlowy Grade D

    Open source workspace for notes, documents, wikis, databases and kanban boards, with AI features and optional self-hosted or AppFlowy Cloud sync. Local-first desktop and mobile apps.

    AGPL-3.0. The AppFlowy Cloud server is also AGPL-3.0. Source code

  14. Logseq Grade D

    Open source outliner and knowledge base that stores notes as local Markdown or Org-mode files, with linked references, a graph view and journals. Available for desktop and mobile.

    AGPL-3.0. Source code

Compare all 27 notes, open source or not.