Markor Sync 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 | Markor Sync | QOwnNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 90 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | Apache-2.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Java | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, binary | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 6,170 | ★ 5,886 |
| First released | 2017 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Google Keep, Evernote | Evernote, OneNote |
What are Markor Sync and QOwnNotes?
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
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
Markor Sync vs QOwnNotes: key differences
Markor Sync is written in Java, while QOwnNotes is built with C++. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for Markor Sync versus GPL-2.0 for QOwnNotes. Markor Sync is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 256 MB for QOwnNotes. QOwnNotes is the more established project (first released 2014), while Markor Sync arrived in 2017.
Why pick each one
Choose Markor Sync if…
- Pairs with any sync tool
- Privacy respecting
Watch out for
- Android only
- Manual sync setup
Choose QOwnNotes if…
- Pairs well with Nextcloud
- Notes remain plain files
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- Interface feels utilitarian
Frequently asked questions
Is Markor Sync or QOwnNotes better?
Neither is universally better. Markor Sync has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Markor Sync and QOwnNotes free and open-source?
Yes. Markor Sync is licensed under Apache-2.0 and QOwnNotes under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Markor Sync and QOwnNotes with Docker?
Markor Sync: check the project docs for container support. QOwnNotes: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Markor Sync or QOwnNotes?
Markor Sync has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for QOwnNotes. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.