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.
Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote is a versatile digital note-taking application that allows you to capture ideas, organize information across notebooks, and collaborate with others in a flexible, free-form canvas environment.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Joplin | Microsoft OneNote |
|---|---|---|
| Website | joplinapp.org | onenote.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 30 days 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 | 2003 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Redmond, USA |
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.
Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote acts as your digital binder, giving you a single place to capture everything from typed notes and handwritten sketches to web clippings and audio recordings. You can organize your content into searchable notebooks, sections, and pages, making it easy to keep track of school projects, meeting minutes, or personal vacation plans.
You can access your notes from any device since they sync automatically to the cloud via OneDrive. Whether you are brainstorming with a team on a shared canvas or annotating a PDF with a stylus, the software provides a flexible workspace that doesn't confine you to a linear document structure. It integrates deeply with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, allowing you to link Outlook tasks and embed Excel spreadsheets directly into your notes.
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.
Microsoft OneNote Features
- Flexible Canvas. Place text, images, and files anywhere on the page so you can layout your notes exactly how you think.
- Ink and Annotate. Draw your ideas and annotate your notes using a stylus or your finger on touch-enabled devices.
- Web Clipper. Save content from the web directly into your notebooks with a single click to view it later offline.
- Audio Recording. Record voice notes and meetings while you type to ensure you never miss a critical detail or context.
- Searchable Handwriting. Find specific words within your handwritten notes or even inside images using powerful built-in optical character recognition.
- Shared Notebooks. Collaborate with friends or colleagues in real-time by sharing entire notebooks for project planning or brainstorming sessions.
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
Microsoft OneNote Pricing
- Full note-taking capabilities
- 5GB OneDrive storage
- Sync across all devices
- Web clipping and search
- Standard collaboration tools
- Everything in Free, plus:
- 1TB OneDrive storage
- Ad-free experience
- Advanced security features
- Premium versions of Word and Excel
- Offline notebook access
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
Microsoft OneNote
Pros
- Completely free version is highly functional
- Unmatched flexibility with free-form page layout
- Excellent handwriting and stylus support
- Deep integration with Microsoft 365 apps
- Powerful search finds text in images
Cons
- Syncing errors can occasionally occur
- Interface differences between Mac and Windows
- Limited formatting options compared to Word
- Note organization can feel messy initially