Evernote alternatives: 3 free & open-source picks
Compare recorded free and open-source options, their capabilities and operating requirements. Source dates are shown below; licenses, hosted limits and project activity can change.
Evernote after removing the rent, the lock-in and some polish.
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour machine or their cloud
installOfficial desktop, mobile, or terminal package; optional Joplin Server via Docker
dataThe app keeps notes and metadata in its local profile database, with Markdown bodies and resource attachments; JEX/raw exports are available, and optional sync copies encrypted items to Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, S3, or Joplin Server
the catch vs EvernoteJoplin is less polished at document scanning, OCR, web clipping, email capture, and search across messy attachments than Evernote.
setupLocal use installs cleanly; dependable multi-device use means choosing and configuring a sync target, then correctly enabling and preserving end-to-end-encryption keys
facts verified 2026-08-10
Capture, search, tasks and databases; free sync means bringing your own server.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installDesktop/mobile package, or Docker image for browser-based self-hosting
enginesBuilt-in AI features connect to OpenAI-compatible APIs using a configured endpoint and key
dataA workspace stores block documents as structured .sy JSON files plus assets on disk; SQLite files hold indexes and auxiliary state; documents can export to Markdown, HTML, PDF, and Word
the catch vs EvernoteSiYuan is stronger at structured knowledge than frictionless capture, and its mobile scanning, web clipping, OCR, and turnkey sync are weaker than Evernote's.
setupThe desktop app installs cleanly, but free cross-device sync is not a turnkey feature: official cloud sync is a paid membership feature and Docker hosting does not transparently become desktop/mobile sync
facts verified 2026-08-10
Evernote with the server blindfolded and the free tier still usable.
licenseGPL-3.0 (client); AGPL-3.0 (sync server)
runsyour machine or their cloud
installHosted web/desktop/mobile app, or an experimental Docker self-hosted sync stack
dataNotes are encrypted on the device and the hosted or self-hosted sync service stores encrypted per-item data; local app data remains on-device and encrypted .nnbackupz backups can be exported
the catch vs EvernoteNotesnook prioritizes encrypted notes but has a less mature task, calendar, scanning, web-clipping, and integration ecosystem than Evernote.
setupHosted use installs cleanly; self-hosting is explicitly experimental and requires Docker plus MongoDB, MinIO/S3-compatible storage, secrets, backups, and client endpoint configuration
facts verified 2026-08-10
latest recorded source check 2026-08-10 · check current terms at the source
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin | AGPL-3.0+ | one-click install | macos, windows, linux, ios, android, cli, browser-extension | 55,800 | 2026-07 |
| SiYuan | AGPL-3.0 | one-click install | macos, windows, linux, android, self-hosted, browser-extension | 45,647 | 2026-08 |
| Notesnook | GPL-3.0 (client); AGPL-3.0 (sync server) | they host it | web, macos, windows, linux, ios, android, browser-extension | 14,400 | 2026-08 |
They pay because all old notes, attachments, scans, and clipped pages are already there. The recorded subscription totals $179.88 a year before any costs of an alternative.
Questions about these alternatives
Is there a free alternative to Evernote?
Yes: Joplin, SiYuan, Notesnook. These are recorded free or open-source options. Compare their feature limits, licenses, hosting costs and current availability before choosing.
Should I just build my own Evernote?
Our verdict is KINDA. A personal notes app with OCR/search/import is reachable, but the hard parts are migration, sync reliability, clipper UX, OCR quality, and years of user data. Review the scope, implementation prompt and trade-offs in the Evernote build guide.
