CherryTree vs Markor Sync
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted notes & knowledge base options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | CherryTree | Markor Sync |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 89 · Excellent | 88 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | C++ | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | bare-metal, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,951 | ★ 6,170 |
| First released | 2009 | 2017 |
| Replaces | OneNote, Evernote | Google Keep, Evernote |
What are CherryTree and Markor Sync?
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
Markor Sync
Markor is a text and Markdown notes editor that works directly on local files, making it ideal for folders synchronized by tools like Syncthing. It supports to-do lists, Zim wiki, and todo.txt formats.
- Works on plain files
- Markdown and todo.txt
- No accounts needed
- Offline editing
CherryTree vs Markor Sync: key differences
CherryTree is written in C++, while Markor Sync is built with Java. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for CherryTree versus Apache-2.0 for Markor Sync. Markor Sync is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for CherryTree. CherryTree is the more established project (first released 2009), while Markor Sync arrived in 2017.
Why pick each one
Choose CherryTree if…
- Highly portable single-file notes
- Good for structured notes
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- No built-in sync
Choose Markor Sync if…
- Pairs with any sync tool
- Privacy respecting
Watch out for
- Android only
- Manual sync setup
Frequently asked questions
Is CherryTree or Markor Sync better?
Neither is universally better. Markor Sync has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are CherryTree and Markor Sync free and open-source?
Yes. CherryTree is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Markor Sync under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run CherryTree and Markor Sync with Docker?
CherryTree: check the project docs for container support. Markor Sync: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, CherryTree or Markor Sync?
Markor Sync has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for CherryTree. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.