CherryTree vs Notesnook Sync Server
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 | Notesnook Sync Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 89 · Excellent | 78 · Good |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | C# |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,951 | ★ 925 |
| First released | 2009 | 2023 |
| Replaces | OneNote, Evernote | Evernote, OneNote |
What are CherryTree and Notesnook Sync Server?
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
Notesnook Sync Server
The Notesnook sync server is the self-hostable backend for the Notesnook end-to-end encrypted note-taking application. It allows users to keep their encrypted note data fully under their own control.
- Self-hosted sync backend
- End-to-end encryption
- Cross-platform clients
- Open-source server
CherryTree vs Notesnook Sync Server: key differences
CherryTree is written in C++, while Notesnook Sync Server is built with C#. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for CherryTree versus AGPL-3.0 for Notesnook Sync Server. CherryTree is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Notesnook Sync Server. CherryTree is the more established project (first released 2009), while Notesnook Sync Server arrived in 2023. CherryTree has the considerably larger community, at 3,951 GitHub stars versus 925. Notesnook Sync Server lists first-class Docker deployment; CherryTree does not.
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 Notesnook Sync Server if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in C#
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is CherryTree or Notesnook Sync Server better?
CherryTree is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Notesnook Sync Server if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are CherryTree and Notesnook Sync Server free and open-source?
Yes. CherryTree is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Notesnook Sync Server under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run CherryTree and Notesnook Sync Server with Docker?
CherryTree: check the project docs for container support. Notesnook Sync Server: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, CherryTree or Notesnook Sync Server?
CherryTree has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Notesnook Sync Server. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.