Joplin vs QOwnNotes
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
QOwnNotes
Plain-text note taking with Markdown and Nextcloud sync
| Feature | Joplin | QOwnNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 100 · Excellent | 90 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 56,477 | ★ 5,886 |
| First released | 2017 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Evernote, OneNote | Evernote, OneNote |
What are Joplin and QOwnNotes?
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
QOwnNotes
QOwnNotes is an open-source plain-text note-taking and to-do application with Markdown support. It integrates tightly with Nextcloud and ownCloud for syncing notes across devices.
- Plain-text Markdown notes
- Nextcloud and ownCloud sync
- Scripting support
- Note versioning via Nextcloud
Joplin vs QOwnNotes: key differences
Joplin is written in TypeScript, while QOwnNotes is built with C++. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Joplin versus GPL-2.0 for QOwnNotes. QOwnNotes is the more established project (first released 2014), while Joplin arrived in 2017. Joplin has the considerably larger community, at 56,477 GitHub stars versus 5,886. Joplin lists first-class Docker deployment; QOwnNotes 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 QOwnNotes if…
- Pairs well with Nextcloud
- Notes remain plain files
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- Interface feels utilitarian
Frequently asked questions
Is Joplin or QOwnNotes 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 QOwnNotes free and open-source?
Yes. Joplin is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and QOwnNotes under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Joplin and QOwnNotes with Docker?
Joplin: yes. QOwnNotes: check the project docs for container support.