Laverna 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.
| Feature | Laverna | QOwnNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 24 · At risk | 90 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | MPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 9,171 | ★ 5,886 |
| First released | 2014 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Evernote, Simplenote | Evernote, OneNote |
What are Laverna and QOwnNotes?
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
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
Laverna vs QOwnNotes: key differences
Laverna is written in JavaScript, while QOwnNotes is built with C++. Licensing differs — MPL-2.0 for Laverna versus GPL-2.0 for QOwnNotes. Laverna is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for QOwnNotes.
Why pick each one
Choose Laverna if…
- Strong privacy focus
- No backend required
Watch out for
- Development has stalled
- Aging codebase
Choose QOwnNotes if…
- Pairs well with Nextcloud
- Notes remain plain files
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- Interface feels utilitarian
Frequently asked questions
Is Laverna or QOwnNotes 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 QOwnNotes free and open-source?
Yes. Laverna is licensed under MPL-2.0 and QOwnNotes under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Laverna and QOwnNotes with Docker?
Laverna: check the project docs for container support. QOwnNotes: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Laverna or QOwnNotes?
Laverna has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for QOwnNotes. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.