Joplin

Overview

Joplin is an open-source note-taking app that pairs offline use with a choice of sync services and storage plans. It suits people who want control over where notes sync, including businesses that prefer a self-hosted option.

Its flexibility comes with a practical trade-off: paid plans impose storage and per-note limits, so users with large attachments should compare quotas before choosing.

For other options, see our Note-taking apps and Secure Notes Apps lists.

Key features

Offline notes: Access notes without an internet connection, useful when connectivity is unreliable.

Multiple sync choices: Sync through Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, S3, WebDAV or a local filesystem. That range suits users who want to choose their storage route rather than rely on one service.

End-to-end encryption: Joplin uses encryption intended to keep notes accessible only to the user. Joplin Cloud data and servers are located in Paris, France.

Rich notes and clipping: Notes can include images, videos, PDFs and audio files. A Chrome or Firefox web clipper can save pages or screenshots, making it useful for collecting reference material.

Sharing and collaboration: Notes can be shared, with shared notebooks set as editable or read-only. Real-time collaboration extends the app beyond private note storage.

Team administration: Teams supports user management, member changes and centralized billing. Priority support is included with Teams and Joplin Server Business.

Pricing

Joplin has a free plan and paid plans with a 14-day free trial. The paid plans below are billed monthly; trial users can cancel during the trial without being charged.

PlanPriceStorage and note or attachment limitBest fitBasic€2.99 a month2 GB; 10 MB per note or attachmentIndividual users with modest storage needsPro€5.99 a month30 GB; 200 MB per note or attachmentIndividuals who keep larger files or more materialPro 100 GB€9.99 a month100 GB; 200 MB per note or attachmentIndividuals needing substantially more storageTeams€7.99 per user per month50 GB; 200 MB per note or attachment; minimum 2 usersGroups needing shared work and centralized billingJoplin Server BusinessCustom pricingSelf-hosted deployment; team management, notebook sharing and collaboration, end-to-end encryptionBusinesses and organisations that want to host the server themselvesBasic is the least expensive paid tier, but its 2 GB total allowance and 10 MB per-note or attachment cap make it a poor fit for frequent large-file use. Pro raises both storage and file-size headroom; Pro 100 GB adds capacity without increasing the 200 MB per-note limit. Teams charges per user and requires at least two seats, so its entry cost is €15.98 a month for the minimum team. Students and teachers can receive a 50% discount for one year, renewable while they remain in education.

Platforms

Joplin supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, as well as a Chrome extension and API. The platform range makes it a viable choice for people moving between desktop and mobile, while the self-hosted option gives organisations another deployment route.

Who it's for

Choose Joplin if offline access, encrypted notes and a choice of sync destinations matter more than a single fixed storage model. It is also a strong fit for teams that need notebook sharing, editable or read-only permissions and member administration. Look elsewhere if you need large attachments on the entry paid tier: Basic caps each note or attachment at 10 MB.

Pros and cons

Pro — Flexible syncing: Cloud, third-party services and local storage provide several ways to keep notes synchronized.

Pro — Practical offline and privacy features: Offline access and end-to-end encryption address two core concerns for note storage.

Pro — Collaboration scales beyond individuals: Editable or read-only notebook sharing, team administration and centralized billing support group use.

Con — Basic has tight limits for media-heavy notes: Its 2 GB storage and 10 MB per-note or attachment cap can constrain users who add videos, PDFs or audio regularly.

Con — Teams has a two-user minimum: Solo users cannot buy the team tier, and the per-user price makes the minimum commitment €15.98 a month.

Alternatives

Notesnook is another freemium note-taking option with a free plan and apps for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows; its free plan has a 50 MB storage allowance.

Dash is an open-source alternative with a free web PWA and iPhone option that works offline without an account.

Cryptee is worth considering if open-source software and cryptography that can be independently reviewed are priorities; its free plan includes 100 MB.

Turtl offers a Basic plan with three collaborators per Space and 50 MB storage, making it an alternative to compare for small shared spaces.

PrivacyNotes publishes its web, desktop and mobile apps and encryption code under the AGPL.

Standard Notes offers a free plan with end-to-end encryption, unlimited device sync, plain-text notes and offline access.

Notyra is a free option for users who want to begin without an account; its site says every line of code is auditable.

QOwnNotes is another free alternative.

Verdict

Joplin is a sound choice for people who want offline notes, end-to-end encryption and the freedom to select a sync destination, with paid capacity for individuals and team features for organisations. Its main drawback is the need to match storage and attachment quotas carefully; choose another option if the Basic limits are too restrictive or if a self-hosted business service is not the deployment you want.