Joplin vs Notesnook
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
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Notesnook
Private, end-to-end encrypted note-taking app
| Feature | Joplin | Notesnook |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 100 · Excellent | 94 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 56,477 | ★ 14,628 |
| First released | 2017 | 2021 |
| Replaces | Evernote, OneNote | Evernote, OneNote, Notion |
What are Joplin and Notesnook?
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
Notesnook is an open-source, privacy-focused note-taking app with end-to-end encryption on all notes. Its sync server can be self-hosted so users keep complete control of their encrypted data.
- End-to-end encrypted notes
- Self-hostable sync server
- Rich text editor
- Cross-platform apps
Joplin vs Notesnook: key differences
Both projects are written in TypeScript. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Joplin versus GPL-3.0 for Notesnook. Joplin is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Notesnook. Joplin is the more established project (first released 2017), while Notesnook arrived in 2021. Joplin has the considerably larger community, at 56,477 GitHub stars versus 14,628.
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 if…
- Strong privacy by default
- Polished apps on all platforms
Watch out for
- Self-hosting is relatively new
- Some features tied to subscription
Frequently asked questions
Is Joplin or Notesnook better?
Joplin is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Notesnook if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Joplin and Notesnook free and open-source?
Yes. Joplin is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Notesnook under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Joplin and Notesnook with Docker?
Joplin: yes. Notesnook: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Joplin or Notesnook?
Joplin has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Notesnook. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.