QOwnNotes 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 | QOwnNotes | Reor |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 90 · Excellent | 15 · At risk |
| Status | Actively maintained | Archived |
| Category | Notes & Knowledge Base | Notes & Knowledge Base |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | C++ | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 5,886 | ★ 8,551 |
| First released | 2014 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Evernote, OneNote | Evernote, Notion |
What are QOwnNotes and Reor?
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
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
QOwnNotes vs Reor: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Reor's repository is archived and no longer developed, while QOwnNotes is actively maintained. QOwnNotes is written in C++, while Reor is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for QOwnNotes versus AGPL-3.0 for Reor. QOwnNotes is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Reor. QOwnNotes is the more established project (first released 2014), while Reor arrived in 2024.
Why pick each one
Choose QOwnNotes if…
- Pairs well with Nextcloud
- Notes remain plain files
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- Interface feels utilitarian
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 QOwnNotes 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 QOwnNotes and Reor free and open-source?
Yes. QOwnNotes is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Reor under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run QOwnNotes and Reor with Docker?
QOwnNotes: check the project docs for container support. Reor: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, QOwnNotes or Reor?
QOwnNotes has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Reor. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.