Joplin vs WizNote
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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WizNote
Cross-platform note-taking app with a self-hosted server
| Feature | Joplin | WizNote |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 100 · Excellent | 18 · At risk |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | C |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 56,477 | ★ 2,660 |
| First released | 2017 | 2011 |
| Replaces | Evernote, OneNote | Evernote, OneNote |
What are Joplin and WizNote?
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
WizNote
WizNote is a cross-platform note-taking app with desktop and mobile clients. The Qt desktop client is open source; the self-hostable sync server is distributed as a closed-source Docker image with a free tier for small teams.
- Cross-platform note clients
- Self-hostable sync server
- Rich note formatting
- Attachment support
Joplin vs WizNote: key differences
Joplin is written in TypeScript, while WizNote is built with C. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Joplin versus GPL-3.0 for WizNote. Joplin is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for WizNote. WizNote is the more established project (first released 2011), while Joplin arrived in 2017. Joplin has the considerably larger community, at 56,477 GitHub stars versus 2,660.
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 WizNote if…
- Mature multi-platform apps
- Server can be self-hosted
Watch out for
- Documentation strongest in Chinese
- Client and server are separate projects
Frequently asked questions
Is Joplin or WizNote better?
Joplin is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider WizNote if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Joplin and WizNote free and open-source?
Yes. Joplin is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and WizNote under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Joplin and WizNote with Docker?
Joplin: yes. WizNote: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Joplin or WizNote?
Joplin has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for WizNote. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.