QOwnNotes vs Turtl
QOwnNotes
qownnotes.orgTurtl
turtlapp.comSide by side
| Figure | QOwnNotes | Turtl |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Note-taking apps | 8.5 (#53) | 9.3 (#8) |
| Spec score · Secure Notes Apps | 8.1 (#13) | 8.7 (#6) |
| Encryption | Optional note encryption includes built-in AES-256 and support for custom methods such as PGP. | Turtl encrypts data on the client before transmission, so stored server data remains unreadable without users' keys. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Nextcloud,ownCloud,Nextcloud Notes,QOwnNotesAPI,Nextcloud Deck,CalDAV,Dropbox,Syncthing,Seafile,BitTorrent Sync,Git | The official feature and download pages describe Chrome and Firefox bookmarking extensions and Android sharing, but do not list other integrations. |
| Maker | The site credits Patrizio Bekerle as the maker, and says the application is developed mostly by one person in spare time. | Turtl states that the project is owned and operated by Lyon Bros LLC. |
| Note sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Offline access | Yes | Yes |
| Supported platforms | web,windows,macos,linux,android,chrome_extension | The download page lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome and Firefox bookmarking extensions, and says iOS is coming soon. |
| Purpose | QOwnNotes is a GPL-licensed plain-text Markdown note-taking application for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows. | Turtl describes itself as a secure, collaborative notebook for organizing bookmarks, passwords, files, and shopping lists. |
| Support | The project directs users with package or repository problems to its GitHub issues page and invites community discussion in its Telegram group. | 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
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.
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.