Joplin
FreeOpen-source, offline-first note-taking with end-to-end encrypted sync
A privacy-first, open-source notes and to-do app. Notes are stored locally as Markdown and can be synced end-to-end encrypted to your own Nextcloud, Dropbox or OneDrive.
Why we picked it
Joplin makes both the notes and the sync completely free and completely yours. Every note is a local Markdown file that works fully offline, and when you do sync, you can turn on end-to-end encryption so the key never leaves your device — not even the developers can read your content. No account wall, no ads, no telemetry.
What sets it apart is how wide the escape hatch is: export everything anytime, or run your own sync server so no cloud can ever hold your notes hostage. Official clients span phone, desktop and the command line, plus a browser web-clipper. If you want a free note system to trust for years, Joplin is one of the safest bets.