Binderus vs QOwnNotes
Binderus
binderus.com
QOwnNotes
qownnotes.orgSide by side
| Figure | Binderus | QOwnNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Secure Notes Apps | 8.1 (#9) | 8.1 (#13) |
| AI integrations | Its built-in AI Chat plugin supports OpenAI-compatible services including Ollama, LM Studio, OpenAI, DeepInfra, Groq, Together, and OpenRouter. | Built-in AI support includes script integration for providers such as OpenAI and Groq, plus an MCP server for searching and fetching notes. |
| Encryption | The encrypted database uses AES-256 with a passphrase and derives its key with Argon2id; Binderus says a lost passphrase cannot be recovered. | Optional note encryption includes built-in AES-256 and support for custom methods such as PGP. |
| Integrations | The docs describe syncing vaults through iCloud Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, Syncthing, or Git; Binderus has no proprietary sync server. | Nextcloud,ownCloud,Nextcloud Notes,QOwnNotesAPI,Nextcloud Deck,CalDAV,Dropbox,Syncthing,Seafile,BitTorrent Sync,Git |
| Purpose | Binderus is a local-first note-taking app with WYSIWYG editing of plain Markdown files. | QOwnNotes is a GPL-licensed plain-text Markdown note-taking application for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows. |
| Support | The docs direct users to the FAQ, Discord, or GitHub issues for help. | The project directs users with package or repository problems to its GitHub issues page and invites community discussion in its Telegram group. |
Plans
In their own words
QOwnNotes
QOwnNotes is a free, GPL-licensed note-taking application built around plain-text Markdown files. Notes stay in a folder on your computer, and the app does not sync notes or media itself; you can choose a separate sync client such as Nextcloud or ownCloud. Those services can also provide note sharing, task lists, note history, and access to trashed notes. The editor offers Markdown highlighting and preview, hierarchical tags and subfolders, wiki-style links, Vim mode, and portable mode. Optional encryption includes built-in AES-256 and custom methods such as PGP. You can import from Evernote or Joplin, or work with existing text and Markdown files directly. QOwnNotes is available for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and the web, with a browser extension for clipping selected text, screenshots, and bookmarks. A web companion sends phone photos to the current desktop note. Integrations include Nextcloud, ownCloud, Dropbox, Syncthing, Seafile, CalDAV, and Git. The software is open source, with no paid plans stated.