Laverna vs Markor Sync
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted notes & knowledge base options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Laverna | Markor Sync |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 24 · At risk | 88 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | MPL-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Java |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | bare-metal, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 9,171 | ★ 6,170 |
| First released | 2014 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Evernote, Simplenote | Google Keep, Evernote |
What are Laverna and Markor Sync?
Laverna
Laverna is an open-source, web-based note-taking application with Markdown support and client-side encryption. It can store notes locally or sync via Dropbox or remoteStorage and can be self-hosted as a static app.
- Client-side encryption
- Markdown editor
- Offline support
- Static self-hosted app
Markor Sync
Markor is a text and Markdown notes editor that works directly on local files, making it ideal for folders synchronized by tools like Syncthing. It supports to-do lists, Zim wiki, and todo.txt formats.
- Works on plain files
- Markdown and todo.txt
- No accounts needed
- Offline editing
Laverna vs Markor Sync: key differences
Laverna is written in JavaScript, while Markor Sync is built with Java. Licensing differs — MPL-2.0 for Laverna versus Apache-2.0 for Markor Sync. Markor Sync is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Laverna. Laverna is the more established project (first released 2014), while Markor Sync arrived in 2017.
Why pick each one
Choose Laverna if…
- Strong privacy focus
- No backend required
Watch out for
- Development has stalled
- Aging codebase
Choose Markor Sync if…
- Pairs with any sync tool
- Privacy respecting
Watch out for
- Android only
- Manual sync setup
Frequently asked questions
Is Laverna or Markor Sync better?
Neither is universally better. Laverna has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Laverna and Markor Sync free and open-source?
Yes. Laverna is licensed under MPL-2.0 and Markor Sync under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Laverna and Markor Sync with Docker?
Laverna: check the project docs for container support. Markor Sync: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Laverna or Markor Sync?
Markor Sync has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Laverna. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.