5 best open-source note-taking apps in 2026
In this article, we go through some of the most popular note-taking apps that are open-source.
Not more than a decade ago, the ecosystem of note-taking tools was dominated by products from big corporations, with products like Google Docs, Evernote, and Microsoft OneNote. As software boomed throughout the 2010s, so did note-taking and writing tools, and numerous new note-taking tools started popping up from smaller companies and teams, contesting the previously dominating products.
Open-source software also started getting more popular, as people started caring more about transparent product development, the ability to contribute, and not being locked into closed platforms. As more users prioritize data ownership, privacy, and long-term flexibility, the option to self-host or store notes locally has become a real advantage, not just a "nice to have".
In this article, we'll look at 5 of the best open-source note-taking tools available today. Whether you're building a personal knowledge base, documenting research, or organizing your work as a founder or developer, these tools give you more control over your notes without locking you into a single platform. If you are comparing broader options beyond open-source, see our guide to the best software for creating your own personal knowledge base in 2026.
1. Lydie
Lydie is a modern, open-source writing workspace built for people who want a fast, distraction-free place to think, write, and organize knowledge. Instead of trying to be an all-in-one tool for everything, Lydie focuses on making the core writing and knowledge base experience feel instant and pleasant to use.
This makes it a strong fit for founders, writers, and small teams who care about speed, clarity, and owning their content, without the overhead of configuring a complex system from day one.
What Lydie is great for
Writing long-form content and research
Internal docs for small teams
Replacing slower, bloated tools
Who Lydie is best for
People who want a modern, fast, open-source Notion alternative without the setup complexity of more technical tools.
2. Logseq
Logseq is a fully open-source, local-first note-taking tool built around daily notes, outlines, and linked knowledge. Instead of organizing everything into rigid folders, Logseq encourages you to write in a lightweight, journal-like flow and connect ideas over time. Logseq introduces a somewhat different paradigm to note-taking, so it has a slightly steeper learning-curve than other writing workspaces and note-taking tools.
It's popular among researchers, developers, and heavy note-takers who want a powerful personal knowledge base without relying on a hosted service.
What Logseq is great for
Daily notes and journaling
Research notes and learning logs
Building a personal knowledge graph
Linking ideas over time
Who Logseq is best for
Logseq is great for people who enjoy structured thinking and backlinking, and want a fully open-source, local-first knowledge base with powerful internal linking, even if the UI and workflow take some getting used to.
3. Joplin
Joplin is a fully open-source, offline-first note-taking app designed as a practical alternative to tools like Evernote. It focuses on reliable sync, simple organization, and cross-device access, rather than building complex knowledge graphs or writing workspaces. It is a favorite among self-hosters and is often the recommended choice for on-premise hosted notes.
It's a solid choice if you mainly want a reliable place to store notes, lists, and documents, and care about owning your data and keeping it encrypted.
What Joplin is great for
Simple note-taking and to-do lists
Cross-device syncing (desktop + mobile)
Offline access
Encrypted personal notes
Who Joplin is best for
People who want an open-source Evernote replacement with reliable sync and offline support, and don't need advanced knowledge-base features or a highly opinionated writing experience.
4. Standard Notes
Standard Notes is an open-source, privacy-first note-taking app focused on simplicity and end-to-end encryption. It's built for people who want their notes to be private by default, without relying on complex setups or self-hosting infrastructure.
The app keeps things intentionally minimal. You won't find advanced knowledge-base features or highly structured workflows here, but you will get strong privacy guarantees and a clean writing experience across devices.
What Standard Notes is great for
Private personal notes and journaling
Secure storage of sensitive information
Simple, distraction-free writing
Cross-device access
Who Standard Notes is best for
People who prioritize privacy and encryption above advanced organization, and want a simple open-source note-taking app for personal use.
5. Trilium Notes
Trilium Notes is a fully open-source, self-hostable note-taking app designed for building structured personal knowledge bases. Unlike simpler note apps, Trilium leans into hierarchy, rich note relationships, and long-term knowledge organization.
It's more powerful (and more complex) than tools like Joplin or Standard Notes, making it a good fit for people who want to build a deep, structured knowledge system rather than just store notes. If you're interested in the concept of knowledge bases, be sure to visit our article series on what knowledge bases are.
What Trilium is great for
Large personal knowledge bases
Hierarchical note structures
Self-hosted setups
Long-term documentation and wikis
Who Trilium is best for
People who want a fully open-source, self-hosted knowledge base with powerful structure and don't mind a steeper learning curve to get a lot of flexibility.
Tool | Fully open-source | Hosting model | Best for | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lydie | ✅ | Hosted (AWS) or self-hosted | Writing + knowledge bases | Low |
Logseq | ✅ | Local-first | Research, daily notes, PKM | Medium |
Joplin | ✅ | Local-first + sync | Simple notes, Evernote replacement | Low |
Standard Notes | ✅ (core) | Hosted by default | Encrypted personal notes | Low |
Trilium Notes | ✅ | Self-hosted / local | Large, structured knowledge bases | High |
Conclusion
Open-source note-taking tools give you long-term control over your data, flexibility in how you host and organize your notes, and an alternative to closed platforms that can change direction over time (and where you don't have a say in the development). Many of the tools in this list also rank among the top open-source note-taking apps by GitHub stars, with Joplin at the top with 53.400 stars at the time of writing.
That said, popularity alone isn't a guarantee of fit. The best tool depends on how you personally think and work, whether you value a privacy-first notes app, a research-heavy knowledge base, or a fast, modern writing workspace.