Joplin

Self-host

Open source Markdown note app with end-to-end encrypted sync to a server you choose, including Nextcloud, S3, or WebDAV.

Visit joplinapp.org View repository

Category: Notes · Self-host
Cost: Self-host
Country: France
Licensing: FOSS

Pros and cons

+ what works

+Local-first: notes live on disk as Markdown, no lock-in
+Optional end-to-end encryption on sync, with the server seeing only ciphertext
+Wide choice of sync backends, including self-hosted Nextcloud, WebDAV, and S3
+Desktop, mobile, terminal, and web-clipper clients all under AGPLv3

− watch out for

−Sync conflict handling on large note sets can need manual cleanup
−Mobile apps have historically lagged the desktop in editor parity
−End-to-end encryption is opt-in, not on by default
−Joplin Cloud and Joplin Server are separate paid offerings; the free path means bringing your own backend

Privacy notes

Notes are stored locally as Markdown and SQLite. Sync is optional and end-to-end encryption can be enabled per profile, in which case the sync target sees only ciphertext. Available sync targets include Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, WebDAV, S3, Dropbox, OneDrive, and the local filesystem; the operator's jurisdiction governs whatever data lands there. Joplin Cloud is run by the project's French maintainer and falls under EU and French law.

Does this work for you?

Notes from people who tried it

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