Boost Note vs Joplin
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted notes & knowledge base options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Joplin
Open-source note-taking and to-do app with sync
| Feature | Boost Note | Joplin |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 100 · Excellent |
| Status | Archived | Actively maintained |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,046 | ★ 56,477 |
| First released | 2016 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Evernote | Evernote, OneNote |
What are Boost Note and Joplin?
Boost Note
Boost Note is an open-source note-taking app aimed at developers, with Markdown editing, code snippet notes, tagging, and syntax highlighting. Notes are stored as files. The upstream app repository is archived and no longer actively developed.
- Markdown and snippet notes
- Tag-based organization
- File-based storage
- Code syntax highlighting
Joplin
Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application with Markdown editing, web clipper, and end-to-end encrypted sync. It targets individuals who want private, portable notes across devices. It can sync via a self-hosted Joplin Server, Nextcloud, or WebDAV.
- Markdown notes and to-dos
- End-to-end encrypted sync
- Web clipper extension
- Apps on every platform
Boost Note vs Joplin: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Boost Note's repository is archived and no longer developed, while Joplin is actively maintained. Both projects are written in TypeScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Boost Note versus AGPL-3.0 for Joplin. Joplin has the considerably larger community, at 56,477 GitHub stars versus 4,046. Joplin lists first-class Docker deployment; Boost Note does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Boost Note if…
- Developer-friendly
- Files you control
Watch out for
- Project direction shifted
- No first-party server
Choose Joplin if…
- Strong privacy with E2EE
- Flexible sync options
- Active development
Watch out for
- Sync server setup optional but extra
- Editor less polished than rivals
Frequently asked questions
Is Boost Note or Joplin better?
Neither is universally better. Joplin has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Boost Note and Joplin free and open-source?
Yes. Boost Note is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Joplin under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Boost Note and Joplin with Docker?
Boost Note: check the project docs for container support. Joplin: yes.