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.
Not the right match-up?
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ★ 55,856 | ★ 905 |
| First released | 2017 | 2023 |
| Replaces | Evernote, OneNote | Evernote, OneNote |
Why pick each one
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.