Alternatives Guide

Best Joplin Alternatives in 2026

Looking for Joplin alternatives? We've tested and compared 3+ productivity tools to find the best options for every use case and budget.

3 Alternatives
3 Free Options
4.4 Avg Rating
Free+ Lowest Price
01

Top 3 Joplin Alternatives

Our top picks based on features, pricing, and user reviews. These tools offer the best alternatives to Joplin.

#1 Best Overall
Notion
4.3 Rating
$12/mo Paid From
Yes Free Tier

Best for: Flexible docs and knowledge management

View Review
#2 Best Value
Obsidian
4.4 Rating
$5/mo Paid From
Yes Free Tier

Best for: Privacy-focused knowledge workers

View Review
#3 Best Free Option
Standard Notes
4.6 Rating
$7.5/mo Paid From
Yes Free Tier

Best for: Privacy-first encrypted note-taking

View Review
02

Full Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of Joplin vs all 3 alternatives.

Tool Rating Paid From Free Tier Best For
Joplin Current
4.9 $2.99/mo ✓ Privacy-focused note-takers
Review Visit
#1 Notion
4.3 $12/mo ✓ Flexible docs and knowledge management
Review Visit
#2 Obsidian
4.4 $5/mo ✓ Privacy-focused knowledge workers
Review Visit
#3 Standard Notes
4.6 $7.5/mo ✓ Privacy-first encrypted note-taking
Review Visit
03

Detailed Reviews

In-depth look at each Joplin alternative with pricing, features, and best use cases.

#1

Notion

4.3 318,147 reviews

Your connected workspace for wiki, docs & projects.

Free tier available

Consider Notion for specializes in flexible docs and knowledge management.

Strengths
  • Exceptional ease of use and organization
  • Highly customizable templates and databases
  • Excellent real-time collaboration
Cons
  • Steep learning curve initially
  • AI features less capable than ChatGPT
Read Full Review Visit Website
#2

Obsidian

4.4 58 reviews

A powerful knowledge base on top of a local folder of plain text files

Free tier available

Consider Obsidian for specializes in privacy-focused knowledge workers.

Strengths
  • Complete data ownership with local storage
  • Powerful bidirectional linking and graph view
  • Extensive plugin ecosystem (2,690+ plugins including AI)
Cons
  • Steep learning curve for new users
  • Interface can be unpleasant initially
Read Full Review Visit Website
#3

Standard Notes

4.6 14 reviews

End-to-end encrypted notes app for privacy-focused note taking

Free tier available

Consider Standard Notes for specializes in privacy-first encrypted note-taking.

Strengths
  • Industry-leading end-to-end encryption with XChaCha20-Poly1305
  • Open-source codebase with four independent security audits
  • Truly unlimited devices and notes on free tier
Cons
  • Web app and mobile UI considered basic/dated by some users
  • No real-time collaboration features due to encryption model
Read Full Review Visit Website
04

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best alternative to Joplin?
The best Joplin alternative depends on your needs. Notion is our top pick for most users, offering similar features with a different approach to the same problems. For budget-conscious users, Notion and Obsidian offer free tiers worth exploring.
Is there a free alternative to Joplin?
Yes, Notion and Obsidian offer free tiers. While not as feature-rich as Joplin's paid plans, they're suitable for individuals or small projects.
Why switch from Joplin?
Common reasons to explore Joplin alternatives include: pricing concerns (a free tier), specific feature needs not met by Joplin, desire for simpler interfaces, or need for better integrations with existing tools.
How does Joplin compare to Notion?
Joplin and Notion are both strong productivity tools. Joplin excels at Privacy-focused note-takers, while Notion is known for Flexible docs and knowledge management. See our detailed comparison above.
Which Joplin alternative is best for small businesses?
For small businesses, we recommend Notion due to its free tier and affordable pricing. It offers the core features most small teams need without enterprise complexity.
Can I migrate from Joplin to an alternative?
Most Joplin alternatives support data import/export. Check each tool's migration documentation. Notion offers the most straightforward migration path with dedicated import tools and customer support for switching.

Still using Joplin?

Read our complete Joplin review to see if it's still the right choice for you.

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