BatNoter vs CherryTree
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted notes & knowledge base options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | BatNoter | CherryTree |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 18 · At risk | 89 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,421 | ★ 3,951 |
| First released | 2022 | 2009 |
| Replaces | Standard Notes, Evernote | OneNote, Evernote |
What are BatNoter and CherryTree?
BatNoter
BatNoter is an open-source, Markdown-based note-taking web application that stores all notes in a user's own Git repository. It provides an editor with preview and keeps notes versioned and portable.
- Notes stored in your Git repo
- Markdown editor with preview
- Versioned, portable notes
- Self-hosted backend
CherryTree
Cherrytree is an open-source hierarchical note-taking application featuring rich text and syntax highlighting. It stores everything in a single XML or SQLite file, making it easy to back up and move.
- Hierarchical note tree
- Rich text and code highlighting
- Single-file XML or SQLite storage
- Password protection
BatNoter vs CherryTree: key differences
BatNoter is written in TypeScript, while CherryTree is built with C++. Licensing differs — MIT for BatNoter versus GPL-3.0 for CherryTree. CherryTree is the more established project (first released 2009), while BatNoter arrived in 2022. BatNoter lists first-class Docker deployment; CherryTree does not.
Why pick each one
Choose BatNoter if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (2.4k GitHub stars)
- Written in TypeScript
Choose CherryTree if…
- Highly portable single-file notes
- Good for structured notes
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- No built-in sync
Frequently asked questions
Is BatNoter or CherryTree better?
CherryTree is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider BatNoter if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are BatNoter and CherryTree free and open-source?
Yes. BatNoter is licensed under MIT and CherryTree under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run BatNoter and CherryTree with Docker?
BatNoter: yes. CherryTree: check the project docs for container support.