Joplin 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.
Joplin
Open-source note-taking and to-do app with sync
VS
Markor Sync
Plain-text and Markdown notes editor for synced folders
| Feature | Joplin | Markor Sync |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 100 · Excellent | 88 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 56,477 | ★ 6,170 |
| First released | 2017 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Evernote, OneNote | Google Keep, Evernote |
What are Joplin and Markor Sync?
Joplin
Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application with Markdown editing, web clipper, and end-to-end encrypted sync. It targets individuals who want private, portable notes across devices. It can sync via a self-hosted Joplin Server, Nextcloud, or WebDAV.
- Markdown notes and to-dos
- End-to-end encrypted sync
- Web clipper extension
- Apps on every platform
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
Joplin vs Markor Sync: key differences
Joplin is written in TypeScript, while Markor Sync is built with Java. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Joplin versus Apache-2.0 for Markor Sync. Markor Sync is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Joplin. Joplin has the considerably larger community, at 56,477 GitHub stars versus 6,170. Joplin lists first-class Docker deployment; Markor Sync does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Joplin if…
- Strong privacy with E2EE
- Flexible sync options
- Active development
Watch out for
- Sync server setup optional but extra
- Editor less polished than rivals
Choose Markor Sync if…
- Pairs with any sync tool
- Privacy respecting
Watch out for
- Android only
- Manual sync setup
Frequently asked questions
Is Joplin or Markor Sync better?
Neither is universally better. Joplin has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Joplin and Markor Sync free and open-source?
Yes. Joplin is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Markor Sync under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Joplin and Markor Sync with Docker?
Joplin: yes. Markor Sync: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Joplin or Markor Sync?
Markor Sync has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Joplin. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.