OSI-licensed only · self-hostable

Open-Source Evernote Alternatives (2026)

Evernote is a proprietary note-taking service built around notebooks, tags, search and web clipping. If you want your notes in a format and on a server you control, there are several mature open-source apps, each with a different idea of what a note is.

Every tool below is under an OSI-approved licence (AGPL-3.0, GPL-3.0 or MIT), checked against its repository. Anytype, which is sometimes counted as open source, is listed separately at the end because its licence is source-available.

Licences checked against each repository on November 7, 2026.

What you're replacing

  • •Notebooks, tags and fast full-text search
  • •Quick capture of text, to-dos and attachments
  • •Syncing notes across desktop and mobile
  • •Web clipping and importing existing notes

At a glance

ToolBest forLicenceRuns as
JoplinClosest Evernote-style notebook appAGPL-3.0Desktop app
Standard NotesPrivacy-first encrypted notesAGPL-3.0Desktop + server
NotesnookEvernote-like app with a privacy focusGPL-3.0Desktop + server
Trilium NotesLarge hierarchical personal knowledge baseAGPL-3.0Desktop + server
SiYuanBlock-based notes with referencesAGPL-3.0Desktop + server
LogseqOutliner with backlinks and daily journalsAGPL-3.0Desktop app
MemosQuick capture on your own serverMITDocker

1. Joplin

AGPL-3.0

Best for: Closest Evernote-style notebook app

Describes itself as a free, open source note taking and to-do application that handles large numbers of notes organised into notebooks. Its code is licensed AGPL-3.0-or-later; the Joplin name and logos are protected separately.

Strengths

  • + Notebook and note structure familiar from Evernote
  • + Free and open source with active development
  • + Notes are yours to sync with the service you choose

Trade-offs

  • − Interface is plainer than Evernote's
  • − Sync setup takes some configuration
RepositoryWebsite

2. Standard Notes

AGPL-3.0

Best for: Privacy-first encrypted notes

An end-to-end encrypted note-taking app for professionals. Open-source clients keep notes encrypted before they leave your device.

Strengths

  • + End-to-end encryption by design
  • + Simple, distraction-free editing
  • + AGPL-3.0 licence

Trade-offs

  • − Fewer organisation features than Evernote
  • − Some extended features are paid
RepositoryWebsite

3. Notesnook

GPL-3.0

Best for: Evernote-like app with a privacy focus

A free (as in speech) and open-source note-taking app focused on user privacy and ease of use, with apps across desktop and mobile.

Strengths

  • + Privacy-focused, GPL-3.0 licensed
  • + Easy to pick up for Evernote users
  • + Cross-platform apps

Trade-offs

  • − Self-hosting is more involved than using the hosted service
  • − Smaller ecosystem than Evernote
RepositoryWebsite

4. Trilium Notes

AGPL-3.0

Best for: Large hierarchical personal knowledge base

A free and open-source, cross-platform hierarchical note-taking application focused on building large personal knowledge bases. It offers a desktop app and a server you can host yourself.

Strengths

  • + Deep note trees for big collections
  • + Scripting and templates
  • + Self-hostable sync server

Trade-offs

  • − Built for one person, not teams
  • − Look and feel is dated
RepositoryWebsite

5. SiYuan

AGPL-3.0

Best for: Block-based notes with references

An open-source, privacy-first, self-hosted knowledge workspace. Works as a desktop app or a self-hosted instance and links notes at block level.

Strengths

  • + Block-level references
  • + Local-first, self-hosted
  • + Strong organisation tools

Trade-offs

  • − Steeper learning curve than a plain notebook app
  • − Interface takes getting used to
Repository

6. Logseq

AGPL-3.0

Best for: Outliner with backlinks and daily journals

An open-source, privacy-first platform for knowledge management and collaboration, built around outlines, backlinks and daily journals.

Strengths

  • + Backlinks and graph view
  • + Notes stored locally
  • + Good for daily notes and research

Trade-offs

  • − Outliner model differs from Evernote's notebooks
  • − Little web clipping compared with Evernote
RepositoryWebsite

7. Memos

MIT

Best for: Quick capture on your own server

An open-source, self-hosted home for short-form thinking. Runs from a single container and suits fast capture of short notes.

Strengths

  • + Very light to run
  • + MIT licence
  • + Fast capture

Trade-offs

  • − No notebooks or long-form structure
  • − No web clipper like Evernote's
Repository

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How to choose

If you need…Start with
Closest notebook-style replacementJoplin
End-to-end encrypted notesStandard Notes or Notesnook
A huge personal wikiTrilium Notes
Linked thinking and daily notesLogseq or SiYuan
Short notes on a small serverMemos

Often called open source, but aren't

Public source code, but under licences the Open Source Initiative doesn't approve. Fine to use; read the terms first.

  • Anytype (Any Source Available License 1.0)

    Local-first with readable source, but the licence limits commercial use, so it is not OSI-approved.

Open-source Evernote alternatives: FAQ

Quick answers to common questions

Is there an open-source version of Evernote?

Evernote itself is proprietary. Joplin is the closest open-source equivalent, with notebooks, to-dos and sync, under AGPL-3.0-or-later.

Which Evernote alternative is end-to-end encrypted?

Standard Notes describes itself as end-to-end encrypted, and Notesnook is built with a focus on user privacy. Both clients are open source.

Can I self-host an Evernote alternative?

Yes. Trilium and SiYuan can be run on your own server, and Memos runs from a single container. Standard Notes and Notesnook also have self-hosting options.

Can I import my Evernote notes?

Evernote exports notes as ENEX files, and tools such as Joplin and Notesnook advertise Evernote import. Check attachments and tags after a trial import before moving everything.

What is the difference between AGPL and MIT for a notes app?

For personal or internal use, nothing in practice. If you modify the code and offer it to others over a network, AGPL requires you to publish your changes, while MIT does not.

Maintain an open-source Evernote alternative?

List it on TechLogHub and we'll review it for this page.

Submit a project