CherryTree vs Trilium Notes Next
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 | Trilium Notes Next |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 89 · Excellent | 15 · At risk |
| Status | Actively maintained | Archived |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,951 | ★ 2,926 |
| First released | 2009 | 2024 |
| Replaces | OneNote, Evernote | Evernote, OneNote, Notion |
What are CherryTree and Trilium Notes Next?
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
Trilium Notes Next
TriliumNext is the actively maintained community continuation of Trilium Notes, a hierarchical note-taking application for building large personal knowledge bases. It supports rich text, code notes, and scripting.
- Hierarchical note tree
- Rich text and code notes
- Scripting and automation
- Note encryption
CherryTree vs Trilium Notes Next: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Trilium Notes Next's repository is archived and no longer developed, while CherryTree is actively maintained. CherryTree is written in C++, while Trilium Notes Next is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for CherryTree versus AGPL-3.0 for Trilium Notes Next. CherryTree is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Trilium Notes Next. CherryTree is the more established project (first released 2009), while Trilium Notes Next arrived in 2024. Trilium Notes Next 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 Trilium Notes Next if…
- Excellent for large knowledge bases
- Powerful and extensible
Watch out for
- Steeper learning curve
- Primarily single-user
Frequently asked questions
Is CherryTree or Trilium Notes Next better?
CherryTree is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Trilium Notes Next if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are CherryTree and Trilium Notes Next free and open-source?
Yes. CherryTree is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Trilium Notes Next under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run CherryTree and Trilium Notes Next with Docker?
CherryTree: check the project docs for container support. Trilium Notes Next: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, CherryTree or Trilium Notes Next?
CherryTree has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Trilium Notes Next. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.