Dnote vs QOwnNotes
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted notes & knowledge base options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Dnote | QOwnNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 78 · Good | 90 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Go | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,084 | ★ 5,886 |
| First released | 2017 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Evernote, Simplenote | Evernote, OneNote |
What are Dnote and QOwnNotes?
Dnote
Dnote is an open-source, simple command-line notebook for programmers and terminal users. It captures quick notes without breaking focus and can sync through a self-hostable server.
- Command-line note capture
- Self-hostable sync server
- Browser extension
- Spaced-repetition digests
QOwnNotes
QOwnNotes is an open-source plain-text note-taking and to-do application with Markdown support. It integrates tightly with Nextcloud and ownCloud for syncing notes across devices.
- Plain-text Markdown notes
- Nextcloud and ownCloud sync
- Scripting support
- Note versioning via Nextcloud
Dnote vs QOwnNotes: key differences
Dnote is written in Go, while QOwnNotes is built with C++. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Dnote versus GPL-2.0 for QOwnNotes. Dnote is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for QOwnNotes. QOwnNotes is the more established project (first released 2014), while Dnote arrived in 2017. Dnote lists first-class Docker deployment; QOwnNotes does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Dnote if…
- Stays out of the way for developers
- Quick capture from terminal
Watch out for
- Terminal-first workflow
- Limited rich formatting
Choose QOwnNotes if…
- Pairs well with Nextcloud
- Notes remain plain files
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- Interface feels utilitarian
Frequently asked questions
Is Dnote or QOwnNotes better?
Neither is universally better. QOwnNotes has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Dnote and QOwnNotes free and open-source?
Yes. Dnote is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and QOwnNotes under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dnote and QOwnNotes with Docker?
Dnote: yes. QOwnNotes: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Dnote or QOwnNotes?
Dnote has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for QOwnNotes. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.