Joplin replaces 25 paid apps
One open-source tool, 25 subscriptions it can stand in for. Each pairing below is curated and verified by hand, with the honest catch spelled out. No votes, no pay-to-list.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Tana alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Roam Research alternatives →
Evernote after removing the rent, the lock-in and some polish.
the catchJoplin is less polished at document scanning, OCR, web clipping, email capture, and search across messy attachments than Evernote.
the verdict →all Evernote alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Mem alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Notion alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Capacities alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Supernotes alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Craft alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Slite alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Heptabase alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Nuclino alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Obsidian Sync alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Day One alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Anytype alternatives →
Tagged Markdown notes with real sync choices and rather less Apple polish.
the catchIt is more portable and configurable, but its interface and editing experience feel less native and polished on Apple devices than Bear's.
the verdict →all Bear Pro alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Capture - Quick Notes alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Diarly alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Fabric alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Journey alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Milanote alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Napkin alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Novlr alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Reflect alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Saner.AI alternatives →
Markdown note-taking app with E2E-encrypted sync across all platforms
the verdict →all Scrivener alternatives →last updated 2026-08-29 · up to $1,932/yr replaced · no votes, no pay-to-list