Org mode vs Turtl
Org mode
orgmode.orgTurtl
turtlapp.comSide by side
| Figure | Org mode | Turtl |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $3/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 4 |
| Spec score · Note-taking apps | 7.7 (#148) | 9.3 (#8) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | The site says Org works with Pandoc, and links to third-party mobile and browser tools that support Org files. | The official feature and download pages describe Chrome and Firefox bookmarking extensions and Android sharing, but do not list other integrations. |
| Security | Org Crypt can encrypt entry text using Emacs EasyPG and GnuPG, but it does not encrypt headlines or properties. | Turtl says it encrypts data in the app before it leaves the device, using keys derived from the user's email and password. |
| Support | The Org community provides support through its mailing list, and the project says replies can sometimes take over a month. | Basic and Premium include community support, while Business includes dedicated support; the contact page directs users to the Turtl Community for questions and help. |
Plans
In their own words
Org mode
Org mode is a structured plain-text format and a mode for GNU Emacs, suited to work ranging from notes and markup to literate programs. It combines task planning, time tracking, document editing and publishing. Tasks can have TODO states, priorities, deadlines, schedules and tags, with clocking and customizable agendas. Org documents use nested sections that can be folded or unfolded, and tables support formulas, references, and CSV or TSV imports. Org Babel runs source blocks in more than 80 languages. Documents can be exported to formats such as HTML, LaTeX, ODT and Markdown, and projects with multiple Org files and resources can be published. Org Capture collects structured information from Emacs and other applications, including browsers and PDF viewers. The full feature set is exclusive to GNU Emacs, though third-party file tools are listed for Android, iOS and web. Org is free, included with GNU Emacs, and also installable through package management or its Git repository. Recent releases require a recent Emacs version.
Turtl
Turtl is a collaborative notebook for organizing bookmarks, passwords, files, shopping lists, and other notes. It supports text, bookmark, password, image, and document notes, with full-text search, tag filtering, Markdown, and TeX math rendering. Users can create Spaces, choose collaborators, and set permissions from read-only access through full ownership. Turtl says data is encrypted in the app before leaving the device, using keys derived from the user's email and password. Shared items get separate random keys, so recipients can unlock only the item shared with them. The service warns that an intercepted email invitation could expose a shared Space if its secret is not communicated separately. Users can import or export their full profile for backup or migration, and can install the open-source server to host their own data. Listed platforms include Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, with Chrome and Firefox bookmarking extensions; offline access is supported. Premium costs $3/mo and includes 10GB note data and 10 collaborators per Space; Business costs $8/mo and includes 50GB and dedicated support.