MyTetra 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 | MyTetra | QOwnNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 49 · Fair | 90 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | C++ | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 258 | ★ 5,886 |
| First released | 2010 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Evernote, OneNote | Evernote, OneNote |
What are MyTetra and QOwnNotes?
MyTetra
MyTetra is an open-source manager for hierarchical notes and code snippets, designed for building a personal knowledge base. It stores data in a portable XML structure that can be synced with any tool.
- Hierarchical note tree
- Code snippet storage
- Portable XML data
- Syncable with external tools
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
MyTetra vs QOwnNotes: key differences
Both projects are written in C++. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for MyTetra versus GPL-2.0 for QOwnNotes. MyTetra is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for QOwnNotes. MyTetra is the more established project (first released 2010), while QOwnNotes arrived in 2014. QOwnNotes has the considerably larger community, at 5,886 GitHub stars versus 258.
Why pick each one
Choose MyTetra if…
- Good for code snippet libraries
- Portable data format
Watch out for
- Dated interface
- Small community
Choose QOwnNotes if…
- Pairs well with Nextcloud
- Notes remain plain files
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- Interface feels utilitarian
Frequently asked questions
Is MyTetra or QOwnNotes better?
Neither is universally better. QOwnNotes has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are MyTetra and QOwnNotes free and open-source?
Yes. MyTetra is licensed under GPL-3.0 and QOwnNotes under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run MyTetra and QOwnNotes with Docker?
MyTetra: check the project docs for container support. QOwnNotes: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, MyTetra or QOwnNotes?
MyTetra 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.