Joplin
Open-source notes with encrypted sync and cross-device apps.
Joplin is an open-source note-taking app for capturing text, media, web clippings, diagrams, and files across desktop and mobile devices. It supports end-to-end encryption, sync through services such as Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, and OneDrive, plus collaboration and publishing through Joplin Cloud.
Why it stands out
- Open-source application with notes stored in an open format, reducing dependence on a single vendor.
- End-to-end encryption is built into the sync workflow for users who need private notes.
- Works across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, a terminal app, and Chrome/Firefox clipping extensions.
- Offers several sync backends instead of forcing users into only one hosted service.
- Extensible through plugins, themes, multiple editors, scripts, and an Extension API.
Good to know
- Note sharing, collaboration, and publishing are presented as Joplin Cloud features, so users who avoid that service may have fewer collaboration options.
- Cross-device sync depends on choosing and configuring a supported sync service such as Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
- Advanced customization through scripts, plugins, and themes may require technical comfort beyond basic note-taking.
Photos
Privacy-conscious writers, students, and small teams can keep synced notes without relying on a closed proprietary note format. Clip web pages or screenshots into a research notebook from Chrome or Firefox. Store mixed-media notes with PDFs, images, audio, videos, photos, math, and diagrams. Collaborate on shared notes or publish selected notes online through Joplin Cloud. Customize a personal knowledge system with Markdown, rich text, themes, plugins, and scripts.
Desktop, mobile, terminal, and browser-clipper apps; Markdown and rich-text editing; multimedia note attachments; math and diagram support; web clipping; plugins and custom themes; multiple sync options; Joplin Cloud sharing, collaboration, and note publishing; end-to-end encryption; open-source code and open note format.
Technical Notes
- Notes are saved in an open format, which supports portability outside the app.
- The site references an Extension API for building Joplin plugins and scripts, but the homepage does not describe a public hosted data API.
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