CherryTree vs WizNote
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 | WizNote |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 89 · Excellent | 18 · At risk |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | C |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,951 | ★ 2,660 |
| First released | 2009 | 2011 |
| Replaces | OneNote, Evernote | Evernote, OneNote |
What are CherryTree and WizNote?
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
WizNote
WizNote is a cross-platform note-taking app with desktop and mobile clients. The Qt desktop client is open source; the self-hostable sync server is distributed as a closed-source Docker image with a free tier for small teams.
- Cross-platform note clients
- Self-hostable sync server
- Rich note formatting
- Attachment support
CherryTree vs WizNote: key differences
CherryTree is written in C++, while WizNote is built with C. CherryTree is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for WizNote. CherryTree is the more established project (first released 2009), while WizNote arrived in 2011. WizNote 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 WizNote if…
- Mature multi-platform apps
- Server can be self-hosted
Watch out for
- Documentation strongest in Chinese
- Client and server are separate projects
Frequently asked questions
Is CherryTree or WizNote better?
CherryTree is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider WizNote if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are CherryTree and WizNote free and open-source?
Yes. CherryTree is licensed under GPL-3.0 and WizNote under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run CherryTree and WizNote with Docker?
CherryTree: check the project docs for container support. WizNote: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, CherryTree or WizNote?
CherryTree has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for WizNote. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.