nb Notes 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 | nb Notes | QOwnNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 92 · Excellent | 90 · Excellent |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Shell | C++ |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, binary | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 8,410 | ★ 5,886 |
| First released | 2019 | 2014 |
| Replaces | Evernote, Notion | Evernote, OneNote |
What are nb Notes and QOwnNotes?
nb Notes
nb is a command-line and local web tool for plain-text note-taking, bookmarking, and archiving with Git-backed versioning and syncing. It works entirely in the terminal and supports encryption.
- Plain-text notes and bookmarks
- Git-backed sync
- Optional encryption
- Tagging and search
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
nb Notes vs QOwnNotes: key differences
Nb Notes is written in Shell, while QOwnNotes is built with C++. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for nb Notes versus GPL-2.0 for QOwnNotes. Nb Notes is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 256 MB for QOwnNotes. QOwnNotes is the more established project (first released 2014), while nb Notes arrived in 2019.
Why pick each one
Choose nb Notes if…
- Powerful for terminal users
- Versioned with Git
Watch out for
- Command-line only
- No graphical client
Choose QOwnNotes if…
- Pairs well with Nextcloud
- Notes remain plain files
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- Interface feels utilitarian
Frequently asked questions
Is nb Notes or QOwnNotes better?
Neither is universally better. nb Notes has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are nb Notes and QOwnNotes free and open-source?
Yes. nb Notes is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and QOwnNotes under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run nb Notes and QOwnNotes with Docker?
nb Notes: check the project docs for container support. QOwnNotes: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, nb Notes or QOwnNotes?
nb Notes has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for QOwnNotes. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.