Joplin
Intermediate RecommendedJoplin is one of the best Google Keep alternatives. Markdown notes and to-dos. Open source, syncable with your own cloud.
Information verified on July 7, 2026
Want the complete guide?
“Vivre sans Google” covers the full journey, service by service, with step-by-step migration guides.
Description
Joplin is an open source Evernote replacement that stores your notes in markdown. You choose where to sync: Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, or your own server. E2E encryption is available. The app also handles to-dos, attachments and a web clipper.
Key features
- Native markdown
- Nextcloud/WebDAV sync
- E2E encryption
- Web clipper
- Built-in to-dos
- Attachments
Strengths
- + Sync with your own server (Nextcloud, WebDAV)
- + Markdown format, notes remain readable without the app
- + Web clipper to save web pages
- + E2E encryption available
Weaknesses
- − Desktop UI a bit dated compared to Notion or Bear
- − Sync requires initial configuration
Recommended for
- Nextcloud users looking for integrated note-taking
- Migrating from Evernote
Joplin vs Google Keep: the comparison
| Criterion | Joplin | Google Keep |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (app and self-hosting). Joplin Cloud from €2.99/month. | Free |
| Targeted ads on your data | No | Yes (Google ad profile) |
| Source code | Open (auditable) | Proprietary |
| Migration difficulty | Easy (2/5) | — |
Comparison
Joplin is the natural choice if you self-host (Nextcloud, WebDAV). Standard Notes is simpler and encrypted by default. Notesnook is nicer to use, without config.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Joplin cost?
Free (app and self-hosting). Joplin Cloud from €2.99/month.
How do you switch from Google Keep to Joplin?
Estimated difficulty: Easy (2/5). Direct Evernote import (ENEX). Manual sync setup if self-hosting. Easy with Joplin Cloud.
Who is Joplin for?
Technical users or self-hosters looking for markdown notes with controlled sync.