Joplin vs Notesnook Sync Server
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
Notesnook Sync Server
Self-hosted backend for the Notesnook encrypted notes app
| Feature | Joplin | Notesnook Sync Server |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 100 · Excellent | 78 · Good |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | C# |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 56,477 | ★ 925 |
| First released | 2017 | 2023 |
| Replaces | Evernote, OneNote | Evernote, OneNote |
What are Joplin and Notesnook Sync Server?
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
Notesnook Sync Server
The Notesnook sync server is the self-hostable backend for the Notesnook end-to-end encrypted note-taking application. It allows users to keep their encrypted note data fully under their own control.
- Self-hosted sync backend
- End-to-end encryption
- Cross-platform clients
- Open-source server
Joplin vs Notesnook Sync Server: key differences
Joplin is written in TypeScript, while Notesnook Sync Server is built with C#. Joplin is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Notesnook Sync Server. Joplin is the more established project (first released 2017), while Notesnook Sync Server arrived in 2023. Joplin has the considerably larger community, at 56,477 GitHub stars versus 925.
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 Notesnook Sync Server if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in C#
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Joplin or Notesnook Sync Server better?
Joplin is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Notesnook Sync Server if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Joplin and Notesnook Sync Server free and open-source?
Yes. Joplin is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Notesnook Sync Server under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Joplin and Notesnook Sync Server with Docker?
Joplin: yes. Notesnook Sync Server: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Joplin or Notesnook Sync Server?
Joplin has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Notesnook Sync Server. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.