saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

note-taking app · JOPLIN SAS

Joplin

Free, open-source Markdown note app with end-to-end encrypted sync through Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud or Joplin Cloud.

67/100

#4 of 10 note-taking apps
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Joplin suits people who want a free, open-source note app with encrypted sync on every system2,3,4. It works offline first, syncs through common cloud services, and exports everything to HTML2,5. The catch: notes sit in Joplin's own database rather than plain files, and encryption must be switched on4,6.

Best for: People who want free, open-source notes with encrypted sync.

Where the points come from

Systems22 of 25
Your data20 of 30
Features5 of 25
Price20 of 20

Systems 22 of 25 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
AppsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidDesktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux, mobile apps for Android and iOS; no web app listed3.15 / 18
Works offlineYesJoplin is offline first, so all your data stays on your phone or computer2.7 / 7

Your data 20 of 30 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Notes as plain filesNoNotes live in Joplin's database; the sync folder is described as basically a database6.0 / 10
Export everything to Markdown or HTMLYesHTML and PDF export works for single notes, notebooks or everything5.6 / 6
End-to-end encryptionYesOptional end-to-end encryption keeps notes, notebooks, tags and attachments private, even from Joplin's developers4.8 / 8
Open sourceYesThe code is public under the AGPL-3.0-or-later licence7.6 / 6

Features 5 of 25 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Web clipperYesThe web clipper extension for Chrome and Firefox saves pages or screenshots as notes8.5 / 5
Linked notesNot published0 / 5
Real-time collaborationNot publishedJoplin Cloud Pro shares notebooks, but live co-editing is not documented1.0 / 5
Tables and databasesNot published0 / 5
Handwriting and drawingNot published0 / 5

Price 20 of 20 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free syncYesThe free app syncs through Nextcloud, Dropbox or OneDrive2.10 / 10
Cheapest paid plan$2.67/moJoplin Cloud Basic, €28.69 a year1. Converted at €1 = $1.11869.10 / 10

The rule behind each line: how we score note-taking apps.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Free1 personFree2$0Full app; sync through your own cloud storage
Joplin Cloud Basic1 person€28.69/year1$2.67€2.99 billed monthly; 2 GB, 10 MB per note
Joplin Cloud Pro1 person€57.48/year1$5.36€5.99 billed monthly; 30 GB, notebook sharing
Joplin Cloud Pro 100 GB1 person€95.88/year1$8.94€9.99 billed monthly; 100 GB

Joplin Cloud is priced in euros1; dollar figures are converted at the ECB rate.

Strengths

  • Free and open source under the AGPL-3.0-or-later licence2,7.
  • Sync is free through Nextcloud, Dropbox or OneDrive2.
  • End-to-end encryption keeps even Joplin's developers out of your notes4.
  • Export single notes, notebooks or everything to HTML or PDF5.
  • Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android3.

Limits

  • End-to-end encryption is off until you turn it on4.
  • The sync folder is a database, not Markdown files you edit in other apps6.
  • No web app is listed, only desktop, mobile and terminal apps3.
  • Joplin Cloud Basic cannot share your own notebooks; that needs Pro1.
  • The Web Clipper is offered only for Chrome and Firefox8.

Other note-taking apps

  1. 1
    AnytypePeople who want Notion-style databases kept encrypted on their own devices
    76/100
    $4/mocheapest paid plan
  2. 2
    LogseqPeople who want linked notes as plain files they control
    72/100
    $5/mocheapest paid plan
  3. 3
    ObsidianPeople who want their notes as plain files they own
    71/100
    $4/mocheapest paid plan
  4. 5
    Standard NotesPeople who want private notes synced free on every device
    63/100
    $7.50/mocheapest paid plan

All 10 note-taking apps

Sources

  1. Joplin Cloud Plans | Joplin, Joplin. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. What is Joplin? | Joplin, Joplin. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Installation | Joplin, Joplin. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. End-To-End Encryption (E2EE), Joplin. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. Importing and exporting | Joplin, Joplin. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. FAQ | Joplin, Joplin. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. LICENSE, laurent22/joplin on GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. Joplin, Joplin. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. Euro foreign exchange reference rates: US dollar, European Central Bank. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: joplinapp.org · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with JOPLIN SAS.