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.
Standard Notes
Standard Notes is a secure note-taking application providing end-to-end encryption to ensure your personal documents and private data remain completely inaccessible to anyone but you across all your devices.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Joplin | Standard Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Website | joplinapp.org | standardnotes.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 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Chicago, 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.
Standard Notes
Standard Notes is a privacy-focused writing app designed to give you total control over your digital life. Unlike traditional note-taking tools, it uses end-to-end encryption by default, meaning your thoughts, passwords, and journals stay private and secure. You can write in plain text, use advanced Markdown, or even manage complex spreadsheets within a single, unified interface that syncs across all your devices instantly.
The platform is built for longevity and simplicity, ensuring your data remains portable and accessible for decades to come. Whether you are a journalist protecting sources, a developer managing snippets, or someone who simply values digital sovereignty, you get a distraction-free environment that prioritizes your right to privacy without sacrificing modern sync capabilities.
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.
Standard Notes Features
- End-to-End Encryption. Secure your notes with industry-standard encryption so only you can read your data—not even the service providers.
- Cross-Platform Sync. Access your notes seamlessly across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux with encrypted real-time synchronization.
- Rich Text & Markdown. Switch between simple plain text, professional Markdown, or rich text editors to suit your specific writing style.
- Note History. Protect your work from accidental deletions or changes by viewing and restoring previous versions of your notes.
- Encrypted Attachments. Upload and store files or photos securely within your notes, keeping your sensitive media protected and private.
- Offline Access. Read and edit your notes without an internet connection, and sync your changes automatically once you're back online.
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
Standard Notes Pricing
- Unlimited notes
- Unlimited devices
- End-to-end encryption
- Web, mobile, and desktop access
- Plain text editor
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- 100GB encrypted cloud storage
- Markdown, Rich Text, & Code editors
- Note history up to 1 year
- Encrypted file attachments
- Two-factor authentication
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
Standard Notes
Pros
- Unmatched privacy with default end-to-end encryption
- Clean and distraction-free user interface
- Reliable syncing across all major operating systems
- Open-source code allows for community security audits
Cons
- Advanced editors require a paid subscription
- Higher price point compared to mainstream competitors
- Steep learning curve for self-hosting options