Zim Desktop Wiki
FreeA plain-text desktop wiki for managing notes the way you use a wiki
An open-source desktop app that maintains local notes like a wiki. Everything is stored as plain-text files, with inter-page links, attachments and task lists, plus plugins for equations, version control and more.
Why we picked it
Zim is the plainest of this group: 2,193 stars, GPL-2.0, a desktop wiki that stores notes as a folder of plain text files on disk.
The interface is not pretty and updates are the slowest here — the most recent commit was 26 July 2026. What you get in return is lightness and stability: it runs on old hardware, and the format is simple enough to open in a text editor a decade from now.
It suits two kinds of people: those on limited hardware, and those who just want a plain-text knowledge base no vendor will redesign out from under them. Look elsewhere for bells and whistles.