As others mentioned, Joplin is a solid option (with lots of plugins too). Notesnook too is good (if you're willing to pay a subscription). If you are willing to wait a bit, there's Beaver Notes. Currently they are working on syncing between devices and a new mobile client.
this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2026
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Well, I've settled for Joplin with their sync server running on Tailscale/Headscale, I like it a lot (except for the search which is atrocious in general and on mobile especially).
Are the notes stored in plain text files or in a database? Is it possible / easy to edit the notes with an external program?
They're stored in a database, which is why I prefer Obsidian instead.
Obsidian isn't foss unfortunately
But at least not US made, itโs Canadian.
But silverbullet.md IS foss. Very similar to Obsidian, but F/OSS. It also stores your files in .md files in a directory hierarchy on the file system - very easy to backup.
Its in a database, but you can have it dump a backup as plain text, though that may require a plug in.
Actually it may be an option. I use Onedrive as the backend for sync on mine, with encryption, and I beleive its all individual notes, (all encryoted).
You can do both iirc
+1 for Joplin, you can sync with self hosted stuff too:
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(1 replies)
Joplin.
I use joplin with nextcloud.
Joplin is solid and gets the job done. I was fine with it as a OneNote alternative but once I tried out Obsidian I understood immediately what all the hype is about Obsidian. Using links instead of the standard folder structure is much more intuitive and functional for me. I highly recommend Obsidian even though it isnโt FOSS, since they have a pretty good ethos on not being locked into specific apps, and all the notes are stored in text files so you could easily migrate in the future if you change your mind about Obsidian or if they as a company do something questionable.
Iโve heard of Logseq as a FOSS alternative to Obsidian and would consider looking into that too.
I have tried to go from Joplin to Obsidian several times because Obsidian seems way more expandable with plug ins etc, and everytime I hate it and go back within a day.
Which is also notable a bit because moving all my notes between the two is a huge chore.
I just hate the Obsidian interface a lot.
Silverbullet.md is an actual open source note taking application, Obsidian is not (and they're kind of slimy/evasive about it). I haven't used Obsidian myself but a coworker was showing it to me when I was talking about Silverbullet - they're similar.
Silverbullet.md for actual notes with formatting and such.
Quillpad for checklists.
Donโt know if this find a lot of people or if it is still the greatest choice but I use Notesnook.
i use Joplin via nextcloud. It can also use Dropbox.
i also agree with another poster, search kinda sucks
I am all in on Logseq. Takes a bit of getting used to, but it regularly saves my butt.
Yep, me too.
When I stepped into my current job Logseq literally saved me from going mad / burnout.
A few years in though and the (lack of) Todo management is causing me trouble as the tasks still slip through my fingers...
I like AnyType Its like Notion but Open Source, E2EE, P2P & Local first.
Logseq is also pretty cool. FOSS Alternative to Obsidian.
It you want very simple notes like Google Keep and you are into Selfhosting checkout Anchor (https://github.com/ZhFahim/anchor)
AnyType seems like a fun app, although its Amplitude tracker is a bit less desirable. Thanks for the recommendations!
P2p? N00b here, why does a notes app need peers, ELI5?
It you decide you dont want their Servers for sync, your Devices will sync to each other directly peer to peer :)
Joplin
If you want cross platform, Joplin might be best option right now. But I am keeping an eye on Beaver Notes.
I use Quilpad.
Emacs.
Fancy meeting you here brother. Ready for our next battle?
-- VIM, in a snowy field, dressed in medieval knight armour, clutching a sword and a half broken shield, with the bodies of both Emacs' and VIM's comrades in arms strewn about
Thereโs Anytype, which is similar to Notion.
You can set it up to sync over lan only, with your own server, or with their servers. Itโs E2E encryption
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I personally like obsidian because it supports extensions and linking note but its way too convoluted if you're not looking into these features. Its technically proprietary (with an american company behind it) but the extension ecosystem is FOSS. Logseq is a good FOSS alternative tho.
I used Joplin for a while and liked it for literature notes. Currently I use obsidian, but as I also use that for pen&paper notes I am thinking of going back to Joplin for academic stuff.
Emacs with org-mode. Use beorg, android emacs client or any text editor to sync.
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(2 replies)
Quillpad
It is supposed to have a sync option but I don't care about that.
It's probably better for documentation but I use bookstack for everything
Logseq, Joplin, both synced via Filen.
Also still use Obsidian at work.
I'm a fan of all of them.
Tried silverbullet?
I'm slooowwwllllyyy trying to transition from Logseq, but, yeah... not sure
I'll check it out, thanks! Why are you transitioning from Logseq?
For me, Logseq does a really good job, but I'm finding it difficult to keep track of ToDos and silverbullet just seems like it's a bit simpler and could do everything I need
I'm also seeing Logseq head towards a database-first version, which I'm not a fan of, so wanted to try other markdown file-first options before / if I have to jump ship
However, Silverbullet's learning curve is much steeper than Logseq's.
Thank you!
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