Overview

Joplin is an open-source note and to-do app initiated in 2016 by French developer Laurent Cozic, positioned in the productivity space as an open-source note-taking solution. It is built on the idea of data ownership: all notes are stored locally, support Markdown editing and end-to-end encryption, and sync can use Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV or fully self-hosted servers. Joplin Cloud data servers are located in Paris, France under GDPR protection. The project has 45,000+ stars on GitHub and is one of the most active open-source note-taking projects.

Joplin covers Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and the command line, with a plugin ecosystem and a web app. For individuals and teams that value privacy and data ownership, Joplin offers a flexible mix of free open source plus optional paid sync; see enterprise knowledge base setup for knowledge management practices.

Key Strengths

  • End-to-end encryption (AES-256): Notes are encrypted locally before syncing, so servers cannot read plaintext - strong privacy by default.
  • Multi-platform coverage: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and CLI sync across 6 platforms for seamless desktop and mobile use.
  • Native Markdown support: Code blocks, attachments, math formulas and to-do lists suit technical users and developers.
  • Flexible sync options: Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV or self-hosted servers keep data ownership in your hands.
  • Free, open source and active: 45,000+ GitHub stars, an active plugin ecosystem and community forum, with official data servers in Paris, France (GDPR).

Product Ecosystem

Joplin Cloud (official sync)

Plans include Basic EUR 2.99/month (2 GB), Pro EUR 5.99/month (30 GB) and Teams EUR 6.69/user/month (50 GB, 2 users minimum), with note publishing, notebook collaboration and Email-to-Note.

Self-hosted Sync

Sync via Nextcloud, WebDAV or S3 on servers you control, keeping all note data fully in your hands.

Plugin Ecosystem

Community plugins extend Joplin with export, rendering, AI assistance and more.

End-to-End Encryption & Security

E2EE encryption, password protection and data localization, which can be combined with a self-hosted cloud server for a fully self-owned note stack.

Web App & Collaboration

Joplin Cloud provides a web app, notebook collaboration and note publishing for multi-device access.

Limitations

  • Paid or self-hosted cloud sync: Out-of-the-box experience is less seamless than OneNote/Evernote; users must subscribe to Joplin Cloud or configure their own sync.
  • Traditional interface: Practical and functional, it lacks the rich-text layout, templates and whiteboard capabilities of modern note apps.
  • Lighter mobile editing: Complex notes and plugin management suit desktop, while the mobile experience is relatively simple.
  • No enterprise SLA: Support is mainly community forums and documentation, without 24/7 enterprise support or availability guarantees; see open source software market 2026 for evaluation.

Use Cases

  • Privacy-conscious individuals (recommended ★★★★★): End-to-end encryption and data ownership suit sensitive note-taking.
  • Developers and technical users (recommended ★★★★★): Native Markdown and the CLI fit development habits.
  • Organizations building self-hosted knowledge bases (recommended ★★★★): Pair with self-hosted sync for a fully owned knowledge base; see enterprise knowledge base setup.
  • Users wanting out-of-the-box rich-text notes (recommended ★★): Interface and collaboration lag commercial note apps; consider alternatives.

Pricing

Plan Price Key Features
Joplin App $0 (free, open source) Local notes, Markdown, E2EE, multi-platform
Joplin Cloud Basic EUR 2.99/month (EUR 28.69/year) 2 GB storage, 10 MB/note, note publishing, web app
Joplin Cloud Pro EUR 5.99/month (EUR 57.48/year) 30 GB storage, 200 MB/note, notebook sharing, Email-to-Note
Joplin Cloud Teams EUR 6.69/user/month (2 users minimum) 50 GB/user, multi-user management, priority support

Note: Students and teachers receive a 50% education discount; self-hosted sync (Nextcloud/WebDAV/S3) is free aside from your own server; see the official site for details.

FAQ

  • Is Joplin secure? Joplin supports end-to-end encryption (E2EE), encrypting notes locally before sync so servers cannot read plaintext; official Joplin Cloud data is hosted in Paris, France under GDPR; see data encryption practices.

  • Which sync options does Joplin support? Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV and S3, or fully self-hosted sync servers; see enterprise knowledge base setup to put it into practice.

  • Is Joplin free? The app itself is free and open source, with local notes and end-to-end encryption fully free; only Joplin Cloud official sync is an optional paid service from EUR 2.99/month; evaluate open source options in open source software market 2026.

  • How do I choose between Joplin, Obsidian and Notion? Joplin wins on open source, end-to-end encryption and data ownership; Obsidian offers richer backlinks and plugins, while Notion is stronger for collaboration and rich text; compare in document collaboration platform comparison.