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Joplin is open source and customizable, but it may not fit every workflow. Reddit discussions point to two recurring questions: whether notes are easy to move between apps, and whether syncing is enough when people need to edit together. Joplin’s listing starts at $2.40 and flags a 2 GB Basic cap, so check that limit before moving a large archive. These alternatives trade Joplin’s approach for local Markdown, linked cards, visual organization or team features.
01Why people leave Joplin
Portability and file ownership
A Reddit discussion raises concerns about moving files between apps. One commenter says Joplin stores notes in SQLite but can export them to Markdown.
Shared editing, not just sync
Some Reddit users describe Joplin and Obsidian as essentially single-user. Others report Joplin syncing well across devices; syncing and co-editing are different needs.
A different note-taking workflow
Some commenters call Joplin’s style classic and want more options. Others praise its plugins and customization, so this is a preference, not a universal flaw.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Local Markdown files
ObsidianObsidianSwitch to Obsidian if keeping notes as local Markdown files matters more than using Joplin’s database approach. The listing describes it as a free Markdown vault for personal knowledge management and research. Reddit commenters also describe syncing a vault through services such as Dropbox or OneDrive. The listing starts at $4, with a free plan, and says convenient sync is a separate subscription.
Trade-off: Convenient sync is separate from the free vault.
8.0/10from
$4/mofree plan - Notes and tasks
EvernoteEvernoteEvernote is a better fit if you want projects, reference notes, tasks and team sharing in one notebook rather than a customizable Markdown setup. Its listing highlights assigning tasks and sharing notes with teams. There is a free plan, and paid plans start at $8.25, but the listing warns that the free tier is tight and paid value may be hard to justify for basic notes.
Trade-off: The free tier is tight; paid value may be poor for basic notes.
6.0/10from
$8.25/mofree plan - AI note search
MemMemConsider Mem if finding and connecting notes with AI matters more than keeping a customizable, open-source notebook. Its listing focuses on AI over notes, capture across several channels and links to calendar events. There is a free plan, with paid plans starting at $9. The listing flags usage caps and rising plan costs, so check whether your expected use fits before switching.
Trade-off: Usage caps and rising plan costs need checking.
6.0/10from
$9/mofree plan - Linked note cards
SupernotesSupernotesSupernotes suits people who want to think in linked cards and share or edit those cards with others. That is a different organizing model from a conventional notebook, and its free starting tier lets you try it. The catch is the cap: the listing gives the free tier 100 cards. If your archive or daily capture will exceed that, account for the limit before moving.
Trade-off: The free tier stops at 100 cards.
6.8/10from
Freefree plan - Visual connected ideas
TheBrainTheBrainTheBrain is worth considering if you organize research and files as connected ideas and want a visual knowledge system. Its listing also includes team sharing, so it may suit structured knowledge work better than a personal notes setup. A free plan is listed, with paid plans starting at $15. The listing cautions that it is not the cheapest sync option or the easiest export path.
Trade-off: Not the cheapest sync or easiest export option.
7.3/10from
$15/mofree plan - Nested lists
WorkFlowyWorkFlowyWorkFlowy makes more sense if you naturally organize notes and tasks as nested lists and want one place for both. Its listing calls out its simple outliner approach and a free plan. But the free tier has a 100-node limit, making regular use a paid decision for many people; Pro starts at $6.99. Check that limit against the size of your planned workspace.
Trade-off: The free tier has a 100-node limit.
7.3/10from
$6.99/mofree plan - Notes and visual planning
AFFiNEAFFiNEAFFiNE is a candidate if you want to combine notes with visual planning or work in a shared workspace with a small team. Its listing includes a free plan and paid plans from $6.75. If open-source status is part of why you chose Joplin, check AFFiNE’s software licenses before switching; the listing specifically advises careful checking of its FOSS credentials.
Trade-off: Check its software licenses before assuming FOSS fit.
7.0/10from
$6.75/mofree plan - Encrypted offline notes
Standard NotesStandard NotesStandard Notes fits people who put encrypted notes and offline access ahead of plugin customization or visual organization. Its listing includes a free plan and says teams can share notes with up to five accounts. Paid plans start at $7.50, which may be more than some users want to pay for the feature set. Compare that price with the features you actually need before moving.
Trade-off: Paid plans may cost more than the feature set warrants.
6.4/10from
$7.50/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Joplin Joplin (current) | 7.8 | €2.40/mo | No | People who want an open-source notes app |
| Obsidian Obsidian | 8.0 | $4/mo | Yes | People who want local Markdown files |
| Evernote Evernote | 6.0 | $8.25/mo | Yes | People organizing projects and reference notes |
| Mem Mem | 6.0 | $9/mo | Yes | People who want AI over their notes |
| Supernotes Supernotes | 6.8 | Free | Yes | People who think in linked notes |
| TheBrain TheBrain | 7.3 | $15/mo | Yes | Visual thinkers organizing connected ideas |
| WorkFlowy WorkFlowy | 7.3 | $6.99/mo | Yes | People who think in nested lists |
| AFFiNE AFFiNE | 7.0 | $6.75/mo | Yes | People combining notes and visual planning |
| Standard Notes Standard Notes | 6.4 | $7.50/mo | Yes | People who prioritize encrypted notes |
Questions people ask
Which Joplin alternative is best for keeping notes portable?
Obsidian is the clearest fit in this list if you want local Markdown files: its listing describes a Markdown vault, and a Reddit commenter specifically contrasts Obsidian’s plain-text files with Joplin’s SQLite storage. That commenter says Joplin can export to Markdown. The sources do not establish that moving between the apps is lossless, so keep an export and verify it.
Does Joplin sync badly compared with alternatives?
The Reddit comments do not support a blanket claim that Joplin sync is poor. Some users report syncing across devices without problems, and a commenter lists OneDrive, Nextcloud, WebDAV and local files with Syncthing. Other comments discuss the difference between syncing and shared editing. Decide which problem you need to solve before switching.
Which alternatives have a free plan, and what are the limits?
The listings include free plans for Obsidian, Evernote, Mem, Supernotes, TheBrain, WorkFlowy, AFFiNE and Standard Notes. The published details call out Supernotes’ 100-card free limit and WorkFlowy’s 100-node limit. Other free-plan limits are not specified here, so check each pricing page before migrating an archive.