You’re looking for a place for all your notes, ideas and to-do lists. But you don’t want to become dependent again on a service that holds your data or forces you into an expensive subscription later. Joplin is an open-source note-taking app that gives you complete control over your own data, with end-to-end encryption and synchronization via your own cloud storage.
Who is behind Joplin?
Joplin was launched in 2017 by Laurent Cozic, a developer from Nancy, France. The project arose from frustration with existing note-taking apps like Evernote. The problem was clear: users had no control over their own data and were locked into one provider. Cozic wanted to build an alternative where you would never experience vendor lock-in and where your notes are stored in an open format.
The name Joplin is a tribute to American composer Scott Joplin, known for his ragtime music. The project has remained completely open-source and is funded by donations and optional cloud subscriptions. There have been no investors or acquisitions. Joplin deliberately remains independent to maintain its original mission: a tool that belongs to the users, not to a company.
Joplin has now been downloaded more than 10 million times and is available on virtually every platform you can think of. From Windows and Mac to Linux, Android, iOS and even a terminal version for those who want it. It has grown into one of the most popular open-source alternatives to commercial note-taking apps, with an active community contributing plugins and improvements.
Who is Joplin for?
Joplin is ideal for privacy-conscious users who want control over their own data. If you value end-to-end encryption and don’t trust the idea of a company storing all your personal notes on their servers, then Joplin is a good fit for you. Developers appreciate the Markdown support and the plugin system that allows you to customize the app to fit your workflow exactly. Researchers who collect and structure a lot of information also find a powerful tool in Joplin.
But Joplin is not suitable for everyone. Teams that need real-time collaboration in documents should look at other solutions. Joplin is primarily built for personal use, not for collaboratively editing notes like you would in Google Docs. Also, if you’re looking for a fully web-based editor that you can open anywhere in your browser without installing anything, then Joplin does not meet that expectation. The focus is on desktop and mobile apps with local storage.
What can Joplin do?
Joplin already offers an impressive set of features in the free version. For those who need more storage space or collaboration features, paid plans are available through Joplin Cloud. But the core functionality remains completely free to access. Here are the main capabilities:
- End-to-end encryption: Your notes are encrypted before they leave your device. No one, not even the makers of Joplin, can read your data if you enable this feature. Ideal if privacy is a priority for you.
- Markdown support: All notes are written in Markdown, a lightweight markup language that gives you full control over the structure. You can add headings, lists, tables, and code blocks without using your mouse.
- Web Clipper extension: With the browser extension for Chrome and Firefox, you can send web pages, articles, or screenshots directly to Joplin. Handy for research or saving interesting content.
- Offline-first functionality: All your notes are stored locally on your device. You don’t need an internet connection to work. Synchronization happens in the background as soon as you’re back online.
- Flexible synchronization: You can choose from different sync options. Joplin Cloud is the official service, but you can also use your own Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, or WebDAV server. This way you maintain full control.
- Plugin system: The community has built hundreds of plugins that add extra functionality. From Kanban boards to diagrams, from tables to OCR support. You can make Joplin exactly the way you want it.
- To-do lists and tasks: In addition to notes, you can also create tasks with deadlines and reminders. Handy for managing your projects and daily to-do’s in one place.
- Import functionality: You can import notes from Evernote, including formatting and attachments. Other formats such as Markdown files are also supported, so you don’t have to start over.
- Tags and notebooks: Organize your notes with tags and divide them across different notebooks. This way you keep overview, even if you have hundreds of notes.
- Search function: Search all your notes, including the content of attachments. The search function is fast and works offline too.
What does Joplin cost?
The Joplin application itself is completely free and open-source. You can use all features without paying. The only reason to consider a paid plan is if you want to use Joplin Cloud, the official synchronization service. But even then, you can sync for free through your own Dropbox, OneDrive, or other cloud storage.
The Basic plan costs 2,99 euro per month or 28,69 euro per year (equivalent to 2,39 euro per month). This gives you 1 GB of storage space on Joplin Cloud. The Pro plan costs 5,99 euro per month or 57,48 euro per year (4,79 euro per month) and offers 10 GB of storage. For teams, there is a Teams plan for 7,99 euro per month or 80,28 euro per year (6,69 euro per month), with collaboration features and 10 GB per user.
All paid plans come with a free 14-day trial period. So you can first try out whether Joplin Cloud works for you before you pay. Don’t forget that you are also fully functional without a subscription if you use your own sync solution.
What should you watch out for?
While Joplin has a lot to offer, there are also clear disadvantages you need to consider. The interface feels outdated and is less intuitive than modern alternatives like Notion or Obsidian. The layout is functional but not exactly attractive, and it may take some getting used to for new users to find everything.
Setting up synchronization can be complex for beginners. If you choose your own cloud storage, you have to configure the connection yourself, which requires technical knowledge. Sync errors with a poor internet connection also occur regularly, which can be frustrating if you’re working on the go.
The mobile apps, especially on iOS, are more limited than the desktop version. Some plugins don’t work on mobile and the interface is less pleasant to use on a small screen. Native OCR functionality is also missing; you have to install a plugin for that. Finally, there is no option for real-time collaboration like you have in Google Docs or Notion. You can share notes, but not edit them simultaneously with others.
Joplin alternatives
Joplin is not the only player in the field of note-taking apps. Depending on your priorities, these alternatives might be a better fit for you:
- Evernote: Choose Evernote if you want a polished, user-friendly experience and privacy is less of a priority. Evernote is more expensive but requires less technical knowledge and has better mobile apps.
- Obsidian: Go for Obsidian if you want to build complex knowledge networks with backlinks and graphs. Obsidian has more powerful knowledge graph features, while Joplin is more focused on traditional, linear notes.
- Microsoft OneNote: Choose OneNote if you like to draw or want to place notes anywhere on the page. OneNote offers a free canvas, while Joplin works linearly and is based on Markdown.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Joplin:
Is Joplin really free?
Yes, the application itself is completely free and open-source. You only pay optionally for the Joplin Cloud synchronization service, but you can also sync for free through your own Dropbox or OneDrive. There are no hidden costs or limitations in the free version.
How secure are my notes in Joplin?
Joplin supports end-to-end encryption, which means that no one, not even the developers of Joplin, can read your notes if you enable this. Your data is encrypted before it leaves your device and only you have the key.
Can I import my notes from Evernote?
Yes, Joplin has a built-in import function for Evernote .enex files. Formatting and attachments are preserved during the import process, so you don’t have to start over. Switching from Evernote to Joplin is relatively simple.
Conclusion
Joplin is a solid choice for those who want control over their own data without paying for a subscription. The open-source approach, end-to-end encryption, and flexible sync options make it attractive for privacy-conscious users and developers. But the outdated interface and lack of native collaboration are clear limitations. If you’re willing to invest some time in learning the tool and you don’t need advanced collaboration features, Joplin is an excellent alternative to Evernote or OneNote. For teams or users who expect a modern, intuitive interface, there are better options available.
