Note-Taking
Note-Taking tools -- a subcategory of Documents & Knowledge Base
Replace Popular SaaS
45 Tools
AppFlowy
69KAn open-source Notion alternative with AI, wikis, projects, and databases — cross-platform (desktop, mobile, web) with offline-first architecture and full data ownership.
AFFiNE Community Edition
66KAn open-source workspace that merges docs, whiteboards, and databases into one platform — a privacy-focused alternative to Notion and Miro with AI built in.
Memos
58KA private Twitter for your brain — open, type, done. Self-hosted in 30 seconds, runs forever on a $3/month VPS.
Joplin
54KOpen-source note-taking app with end-to-end encryption, Markdown support, and sync across all devices via Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, or your own server.
SiYuan
42KSiYuan is a privacy-first, local-first personal knowledge management system with block-level references, bidirectional links, end-to-end encrypted sync, and spaced repetition.
Logseq
42KLogseq is a privacy-first, local-first knowledge management tool built around outliner-style editing, bidirectional linking, and a powerful knowledge graph.
Outline
38KThe self-hosted team wiki with a Notion-quality editor — real-time collaboration, beautiful UI, and no per-seat pricing.
TriliumNext Notes
35KTrilium is an open-source solution for note-taking and personal knowledge bases. Use it locally or sync with your own server.
Open-Notebook
21KSelf-hosted AI-powered note-taking and research platform with podcast generation and content integration.
Etherpad
18KEtherpad handles highly customizable online editor providing collaborative editing in real-time as a self-hosted solution.
Docs
16KCollaborative document editor with real-time editing, version control, and secure sharing
Notesnook
14KNotesnook handles end-to-end encrypted note-taking app as a self-hosted solution.
Obsidian LiveSync
9.8KObsidian LiveSync gives you community-implemented sync plugin for Obsidian on your own infrastructure.
Blinko
9.7KBlinko is a TypeScript-based application that provides personal note tool with AI features.
Reor
8.5KReor is a self-hosted note-taking tool that provides private, local AI app for managing personal knowledge, featuring semantic search, auto-connected.
HedgeDoc
7KHedgeDoc lets you run realtime collaborative markdown notes on all platforms, formerly known as CodiMD and HackMD CE entirely on your own server.
Standard Notes
6.4KStandard Notes handles cross-platform note-taking app as a self-hosted solution.
Livebook
5.7KLivebook is a self-hosted note-taking replacement for Evernote, Firebase, and more.
Librum
5.3KLibrum is a self-hosted e-books & digital libraries replacement for Evernote and Microsoft OneNote.
SilverBullet
4.9KSilverBullet is a self-hosted note-taking replacement for Evernote and Microsoft OneNote.
flatnotes
2.8KReleased under MIT, flatnotes provides database-less note-taking web app that utilises a flat folder of markdown files for storage on self-hosted...
NoteDiscovery
2.4KNoteDiscovery is a JavaScript-based application that provides lightweight Obsidian-like note-taking app.
Jotty
1.7KJotty is a self-hosted note-taking tool that provides lightweight but powerful alternative for managing your personal, file based, notes and checklists.
Haptic
1.7KHaptic gives you local-first, privacy-focused home for Markdown notes on your own infrastructure.
Alexandrie
1.3KAlexandrie lets you run modern and elegant note-taking app entirely on your own server.
XWiki
1.2KXWiki is a self-hosted note-taking tool with support for Note Taking, Wiki, Workspace.
Zen Notes
1.1KZen Notes handles minimal note-taking app storing Markdown notes in local SQLite database. Features instant search as a self-hosted solution.
Moe Memos
1KMoe Memos lets you run companion note-taking application for Memos entirely on your own server.
Journiv
981Journiv handles private journaling app as a self-hosted solution.
Many Notes
928Many Notes lets you run markdown note-taking web application designed for simplicity entirely on your own server.
Notesnook
863For note-taking, Notesnook is a self-hosted solution that provides and encrypted notes.
Anchor
726Self-hosted note-taking tool that provides offline-first note-taking app.
Nextcloud Notes
710Nextcloud Notes lets you run distraction-free notes and writing entirely on your own server.
Note Mark
628Note Mark gives you lightning fast and minimal web-based Markdown notes app on your own infrastructure.
Glass Keep
551Self-hosted note-taking tool that provides glassy Keep-style notes app.
Poznote
547Poznote gives you lightweight yet powerful web app for note-taking on your own infrastructure.
DailyTxT
455DailyTxT is a self-hosted note-taking tool that provides encrypted diary Web application to save your personal memories of each day. Includes a search.
DumbPad
432DumbPad is a JavaScript-based application that provides stupidly simple modern notepad.
Owlistic
419Self-hosted note-taking tool that provides real-time note-taking and to-do app.
Silicon Notes
265Silicon Notes is a self-hosted note-taking tool that provides web-based personal knowledge base with few frills.
Sticky
166Sticky gives you digital sticky note application for organizing thoughts, ideas, and tasks on your own infrastructure.
Nanote
150Nanote is a TypeScript-based application that provides lightweight note-taking app.
eziwiki
94For note-taking, eziwiki is a self-hosted solution that provides lightweight wiki and documentation generator.
Justnote
66Self-hosted privacy & encryption tool that provides secure note-taking app.
Grinta
50Grinta handles privacy-focused MacOS launcher as a self-hosted solution.
Why Self-Host Your Note-Taking?
Notion charges $10/user/month, Evernote’s Personal plan costs $15/month, and both store your notes, journals, research, and personal thoughts on their servers. These platforms have full access to your note content — Notion’s AI features explicitly process your workspace data, and Evernote’s privacy policy allows employee access to note content under certain conditions. For many people, their notes contain the most personal digital information they produce: journal entries, therapy notes, financial plans, passwords, medical information, and private reflections that should not exist on any server they do not control.
The self-hosted note-taking ecosystem is one of the most mature categories. AppFlowy provides a Notion-like workspace with databases, kanban boards, and documents. AFFiNE offers a hybrid document-whiteboard-database workspace. Joplin provides encrypted note sync across devices with Markdown support and end-to-end encryption. SiYuan delivers a knowledge management system with block-level references and a graph view. Outline is a team wiki with real-time collaboration and a fast search interface. Trilium Notes provides a hierarchical note-taking application with rich text, code notes, and relationship mapping. Standard Notes focuses on encrypted note-taking with a clean editor and extension system.
For different note-taking styles, the options continue. Memos provides a Twitter-like microblogging experience for quick thoughts and snippets. HedgeDoc enables real-time collaborative Markdown editing — ideal for meeting notes and documentation sessions. Logseq offers an outliner-based knowledge graph with bidirectional linking. Obsidian LiveSync enables real-time sync of Obsidian vaults through your own CouchDB server, letting you use Obsidian’s powerful desktop app while keeping sync data off Obsidian’s cloud. Flatnotes, SilverBullet, and Notesnook provide additional approaches ranging from flat-file simplicity to full encryption. With 45+ tools in this category, there is a self-hosted note-taking application for every workflow preference and privacy requirement.