Joplin vs MyTetra
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
MyTetra
Smart manager for hierarchical notes and snippets
| Feature | Joplin | MyTetra |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 100 · Excellent | 49 · Fair |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 56,477 | ★ 258 |
| First released | 2017 | 2010 |
| Replaces | Evernote, OneNote | Evernote, OneNote |
What are Joplin and MyTetra?
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
MyTetra
MyTetra is an open-source manager for hierarchical notes and code snippets, designed for building a personal knowledge base. It stores data in a portable XML structure that can be synced with any tool.
- Hierarchical note tree
- Code snippet storage
- Portable XML data
- Syncable with external tools
Joplin vs MyTetra: key differences
Joplin is written in TypeScript, while MyTetra is built with C++. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Joplin versus GPL-3.0 for MyTetra. MyTetra is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Joplin. MyTetra is the more established project (first released 2010), while Joplin arrived in 2017. Joplin has the considerably larger community, at 56,477 GitHub stars versus 258. Joplin lists first-class Docker deployment; MyTetra 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 MyTetra if…
- Good for code snippet libraries
- Portable data format
Watch out for
- Dated interface
- Small community
Frequently asked questions
Is Joplin or MyTetra 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 MyTetra free and open-source?
Yes. Joplin is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and MyTetra under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Joplin and MyTetra with Docker?
Joplin: yes. MyTetra: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Joplin or MyTetra?
MyTetra has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Joplin. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.