QOwnNotes vs Trilium Notes Next
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 | Trilium Notes Next |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| 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++ | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 5,886 | ★ 2,926 |
| First released | 2014 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Evernote, OneNote | Evernote, OneNote, Notion |
What are QOwnNotes and Trilium Notes Next?
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
Trilium Notes Next
TriliumNext is the actively maintained community continuation of Trilium Notes, a hierarchical note-taking application for building large personal knowledge bases. It supports rich text, code notes, and scripting.
- Hierarchical note tree
- Rich text and code notes
- Scripting and automation
- Note encryption
QOwnNotes vs Trilium Notes Next: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Trilium Notes Next's repository is archived and no longer developed, while QOwnNotes is actively maintained. QOwnNotes is written in C++, while Trilium Notes Next is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for QOwnNotes versus AGPL-3.0 for Trilium Notes Next. QOwnNotes is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Trilium Notes Next. QOwnNotes is the more established project (first released 2014), while Trilium Notes Next arrived in 2024. QOwnNotes has the considerably larger community, at 5,886 GitHub stars versus 2,926. Trilium Notes Next lists first-class Docker deployment; QOwnNotes does not.
Why pick each one
Choose QOwnNotes if…
- Pairs well with Nextcloud
- Notes remain plain files
Watch out for
- Desktop only
- Interface feels utilitarian
Choose Trilium Notes Next if…
- Excellent for large knowledge bases
- Powerful and extensible
Watch out for
- Steeper learning curve
- Primarily single-user
Frequently asked questions
Is QOwnNotes or Trilium Notes Next better?
QOwnNotes is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Trilium Notes Next if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are QOwnNotes and Trilium Notes Next free and open-source?
Yes. QOwnNotes is licensed under GPL-2.0 and Trilium Notes Next under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run QOwnNotes and Trilium Notes Next with Docker?
QOwnNotes: check the project docs for container support. Trilium Notes Next: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, QOwnNotes or Trilium Notes Next?
QOwnNotes has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Trilium Notes Next. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.