Joplin vs Evernote

Self-host swap-in for Evernote. · Self-host Evernote · Joplin on os-alt

Joplin is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Evernote — license AGPL-3.0, 10min — desktop/mobile app + Joplin Server (or any WebDAV) for sync to stand up, and $5 vps for joplin server (or $0 with nextcloud / dropbox / s3 sync); the apps are free desktop/mobile. Compare against Evernote's Personal $14.99/mo; Professional $17.99/mo with offline access + multi-device below.

	Joplinopen-source	Evernotepaid SaaS
Category	Personal notes / web clipper / archive	Personal notes / web clipper / archive
License / pricing	`AGPL-3.0`	Personal $14.99/mo; Professional $17.99/mo with offline access + multi-device
Starting price	$0 self-host	$14.99/user/mo
GitHub	laurent22/joplin ★ 54.8k · last commit todayalive	closed source
Setup time	10min — desktop/mobile app + Joplin Server (or any WebDAV) for sync	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$5 VPS for Joplin Server (or $0 with Nextcloud / Dropbox / S3 sync); the apps are free desktop/mobile.	from $14.99/user/mo (Personal $14.99/mo; Professional $17.99/mo with offline access + multi-device)

Switching from Evernote to Joplin

Install Joplin desktop and mobile apps. Use the official Evernote → Joplin importer (File → Import → ENEX) — Evernote's legacy export-to-ENEX still works from the desktop client (File → Export Notes). Joplin preserves notebooks, tags, attachments, and the web-clipper format. Set up sync to a self-hosted Joplin Server, Nextcloud WebDAV, or any S3-compatible bucket.

Good fit for: Long-time Evernote users — Joplin's notebook tree + tags + web clipper is the closest one-for-one feature match.
Weak at: Real-time multi-user collaboration — Joplin syncs but doesn't merge concurrent edits in the same note cleanly.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to Evernote

Trilium Notes
AGPL-3.015min docker run + desktop client install$5 VPS for the sync server; desktop apps are free.
Logseq
AGPL-3.05min installer (desktop) + Logseq Sync or self-hosted CouchDB$0 with local-only or git-backed sync; ~$5 VPS if you self-host the CouchDB sync backend.

In a terminal? npx os-alt evernote prints Evernote's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is Joplin a free alternative to Evernote?

Yes — Joplin is open source under AGPL-3.0. Self-host cost: $5 VPS for Joplin Server (or $0 with Nextcloud / Dropbox / S3 sync); the apps are free desktop/mobile.. Evernote starts at $14.99/user/mo (Personal $14.99/mo; Professional $17.99/mo with offline access + multi-device).

How long does Joplin take to set up vs Evernote?

Self-hosting Joplin: 10min — desktop/mobile app + Joplin Server (or any WebDAV) for sync. Evernote is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is Joplin good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Long-time Evernote users — Joplin's notebook tree + tags + web clipper is the closest one-for-one feature match.. Weak at: Real-time multi-user collaboration — Joplin syncs but doesn't merge concurrent edits in the same note cleanly..