Markor Sync vs Reor
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 | Reor |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 15 · At risk |
| Status | Actively maintained | Archived |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | Apache-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Java | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, binary | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 6,170 | ★ 8,551 |
| First released | 2017 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Google Keep, Evernote | Evernote, Notion |
What are Markor Sync and Reor?
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
Reor
Reor is an open-source, private, local-first AI note-taking application. It automatically links related notes, runs AI models locally, and stores everything as plain Markdown files on your machine.
- Local AI models
- Automatic note linking
- Plain Markdown storage
- Semantic search
Markor Sync vs Reor: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Reor's repository is archived and no longer developed, while Markor Sync is actively maintained. Markor Sync is written in Java, while Reor is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for Markor Sync versus AGPL-3.0 for Reor. Markor Sync is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Reor. Markor Sync is the more established project (first released 2017), while Reor arrived in 2024.
Why pick each one
Choose Markor Sync if…
- Pairs with any sync tool
- Privacy respecting
Watch out for
- Android only
- Manual sync setup
Choose Reor if…
- AI features without sending data away
- Notes stay as portable files
Watch out for
- AI features need more RAM
- Younger project
Frequently asked questions
Is Markor Sync or Reor better?
Neither is universally better. Reor has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Markor Sync and Reor free and open-source?
Yes. Markor Sync is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Reor under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Markor Sync and Reor with Docker?
Markor Sync: check the project docs for container support. Reor: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Markor Sync or Reor?
Markor Sync has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Reor. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.