Joplin
Joplin is a secure, open-source note-taking and to-do application that allows you to capture your thoughts and access them safely from any device through end-to-end encryption.
Zoho Notebook
Zoho Notebook is a versatile note-taking software that allows you to create, organize, and sync text, audio, images, and checklists across all your devices using a unique card-based design.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Joplin | Zoho Notebook |
|---|---|---|
| Website | joplinapp.org | notebook.zoho.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2017 | 1996 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Chennai, India |
Overview
Joplin
Joplin is an open-source note-taking application designed to give you full control over your data. You can create formatted notes using Markdown, attach files, and organize everything into notebooks and tags. It serves as a private alternative to mainstream tools, ensuring your information remains yours. You can solve the problem of fragmented information by centralizing your web clippings, meeting notes, and daily to-do lists in one searchable location.
The software is built for privacy-conscious individuals, researchers, and developers who need a reliable way to sync notes across multiple devices. Because it uses end-to-end encryption, you can sync your data through services like Dropbox, OneDrive, or Joplin Cloud without worrying about unauthorized access. It is completely free to use as a local application, with optional paid cloud services for enhanced syncing and sharing capabilities.
Zoho Notebook
Zoho Notebook provides a beautiful, tactile way to capture your thoughts and stay organized. Instead of a standard list of files, you interact with distinct Note Cards—Text, Checklist, Audio, Photo, Sketch, and File—that make your information easy to find and visually appealing. You can group related notes into notebooks, customize them with hand-drawn covers, and sync everything across your phone, tablet, and computer instantly.
Whether you are a student tracking assignments or a professional managing project research, you can secure your data with touch ID or passwords. The software integrates deeply with the Zoho ecosystem but remains a powerful standalone tool for anyone who needs to move beyond basic text files. You can also use the specialized web clipper to save articles and recipes directly from your browser without the clutter.
Overview
Joplin Features
- Markdown Support Write and format your notes easily using Markdown and view them instantly with the built-in previewer.
- End-to-End Encryption Secure your notes with high-level encryption so only you can access your data during synchronization.
- Web Clipper Save web pages as notes directly from your browser to keep important online research in one place.
- Multi-Device Sync Access your notes anywhere by syncing through Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, or your own server.
- Offline Access View and edit your entire note library without an internet connection, ensuring you stay productive everywhere.
- Note History Keep track of changes and restore previous versions of your notes if you make a mistake.
Zoho Notebook Features
- Card-Based System. Organize your thoughts using specialized cards for text, checklists, audio, sketches, and files for a more intuitive experience.
- Smart Cards. Save content from the web and watch as the app automatically formats recipes, videos, and articles into beautiful cards.
- Notebook Covers. Personalize your workspace by choosing from a library of hand-drawn covers or create your own to identify projects quickly.
- Cloud Syncing. Access your notes from any device with automatic, real-time syncing that keeps your data updated across the entire cloud.
- Note Security. Protect your sensitive information by locking individual notes or entire notebooks with passwords or biometric touch ID.
- Version History. View and restore previous versions of your notes so you never have to worry about losing important changes.
Pricing Comparison
Joplin Pricing
- Full note-taking features
- Markdown editing
- End-to-end encryption
- Sync via 3rd party (Dropbox/OneDrive)
- Browser Web Clipper
- Everything in Free, plus:
- 2GB Cloud storage
- Sync multiple devices
- Publish notes to the web
- Access to Web Clipper
- Email notes to your account
Zoho Notebook Pricing
- Up to 2GB of cloud storage
- Sync across all devices
- Web clipper tool
- Note locking and security
- Custom notebook covers
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Up to 100GB of cloud storage
- 5GB maximum file size
- Premium notebook covers
- Email-to-note capabilities
- Priority technical support
Pros & Cons
Joplin
Pros
- Complete ownership of your data through encryption
- Extensive plugin library for custom functionality
- Excellent Markdown support for technical writing
- No cost for the core application
Cons
- Interface feels less polished than commercial rivals
- Sync setup can be technical for beginners
- Mobile app lacks some advanced desktop features
Zoho Notebook
Pros
- Visually stunning interface with unique card designs
- Completely free version is highly functional
- Seamless syncing across mobile and desktop devices
- Excellent web clipper for saving online content
- Strong privacy features including individual note locking
Cons
- Missing some advanced formatting for power users
- No native OCR for searching text in images
- Limited third-party integrations outside Zoho ecosystem