jrnl
Focus: journal, daily log and command line. Shares plain text and open source with QOwnNotes. Rated 4.5 (QOwnNotes: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Linux
4.5Visit
Desktop App
QOwnNotes
A plain-text Markdown notepad and to-do manager for your desktop.
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is QOwnNotes?
QOwnNotes is a free, open-source note-taking app for Windows, macOS and Linux that stores notes as plain Markdown files. It is fast, works offline, includes to-do lists and scripting, and can sync with Nextcloud, Syncthing or Dropbox so your notes stay in your own hands.
Third-party open-source projects. We are not affiliated with their authors; repositories are provided as-is by their maintainers. Review each project's license, code and security before installing. See our Disclaimer.
Pros
- Notes stay as plain Markdown files
- Fast and works offline
- Free and open source
Cons
- Interface feels dense at first
- Sync relies on a separate service
Who should use QOwnNotes
People who want fast, private notes in files they fully control.
Who may not need it
Anyone who prefers an all-in-one cloud notes app.
QOwnNotes alternatives
Similar resources to QOwnNotes, picked from the directory.
SiYuan
Focus: second brain, block editor and backlinks. Shares open source and github with QOwnNotes. Adds iOS and Android. Rated 4.7 (QOwnNotes: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
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Memos
Focus: quick notes, markdown and self-hosted. Shares open source and github with QOwnNotes. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Rated 4.7 (QOwnNotes: 4.6).
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.7Visit
SilverBullet
Focus: markdown, wiki and notes. Shares open source and github with QOwnNotes. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Same 4.6 rating.
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.6Visit
Alexandrie
Focus: markdown, knowledge base and latex. Shares open source and github with QOwnNotes. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Web. Rated 4.5 (QOwnNotes: 4.6).
Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.5Visit
Logseq
Focus: PKM, Note-Taking and Graph Database. Shares Open Source with QOwnNotes. Adds iOS, Android and Web. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
Free alternatives to QOwnNotes
Free resources that cover similar ground.
Trilium Notes
Focus: notes, knowledge base and self-hosted. Shares open source with QOwnNotes. Adds Web and Offline. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
Kanban for Obsidian
Focus: obsidian, kanban and project management. Also in Note-Taking and Personal Knowledge Management, like QOwnNotes. Rated 4.5 (QOwnNotes: 4.6).
OtherFreeCross-Platform
4.5Visit
Tasks for Obsidian
Focus: obsidian, tasks and to-do. Also in Note-Taking and Personal Knowledge Management, like QOwnNotes. Rated 4.5 (QOwnNotes: 4.6).
OtherFreeCross-Platform
4.5Visit
claude-obsidian
Focus: obsidian, claude code and second brain. Shares open source with QOwnNotes. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Rated 4.8 (QOwnNotes: 4.6).
AI ToolFreemacOS, Windows
4.8Visit
Obsidian Second Brain
Focus: obsidian, memory and claude code. Shares open source with QOwnNotes. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Rated 4.7 (QOwnNotes: 4.6).
AI ToolFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
Rnote
Focus: handwritten notes, pdf annotation and infinite canvas. Shares open source and github with QOwnNotes. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreeLinux, Windows
4.6Visit
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