What is the difference between Anytype and Joplin?

Anytype is best for Users wanting a local-first, encrypted Notion alternative, while Joplin is best for Privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking. Anytype starts at Free and Joplin starts at Free.

Is Anytype or Joplin cheaper?

Anytype starts at Free and is free. Joplin starts at Free and is free.

Is there a free alternative to Joplin?

Both Anytype and Joplin offer free tiers.

Anytype vs Joplin

Anytype is local-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes, tasks, and knowledge management, while Joplin is open-source note-taking with end-to-end encryption, Markdown support, and sync via any cloud. Anytype is built for users wanting a local-first, encrypted notion alternative, whereas Joplin targets privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking.

At a glance

	Anytype	Joplin
Best for	Users wanting a local-first, encrypted Notion alternative	Privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking
Starting price	Free	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	✓	✓
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	✓	✓
E2E Encrypted	✓	—
E2E Encryption	—	✓
Local-First	✓	—
Markdown	—	✓
Object Types	✓	—
Open Source	—	✓
Relations	✓	—
Webclipper	—	✓

Anytype

Strengths

Open source and transparent
Local-first architecture means your files work offline and load instantly
Fully open-source — you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in
The core product is free with no paywalled essentials

Weaknesses

May lack some advanced features
Self-hosting is free but requires server maintenance and DevOps knowledge
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Moving notes out to another platform can be difficult — export options vary

Try Anytype → Full review

Joplin

Strengths

Open source and transparent
Open-source codebase gives you full transparency and community-driven development
Fully open-source — you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in
The core product is free with no paywalled essentials

Weaknesses

May lack some advanced features
Self-hosting is free but requires server maintenance and DevOps knowledge
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Moving notes out to another platform can be difficult — export options vary

Try Joplin → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: Both Anytype and Joplin are free, so this decision comes down to features and philosophy rather than budget.

Feature gaps: Anytype offers E2E Encrypted, Local-First and Object Types that Joplin lacks. Joplin brings E2E Encryption, Markdown and Open Source that Anytype does not have.

Team fit: Both tools target individuals teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.

Open source: Both Anytype and Joplin are open source, so self-hosting and code audits are on the table with either choice.

Where each tool shines: Anytype's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. local-first architecture means your files work offline and load instantly. Joplin's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. open-source codebase gives you full transparency and community-driven development.

Watch out for: With Anytype, users commonly note that may lack some advanced features. With Joplin, the main complaint is that may lack some advanced features.

Choose Anytype if...

You need a tool built for users wanting a local-first, encrypted notion alternative
You specifically need E2E Encrypted and Local-First
You care about local-first architecture means your files work offline and load instantly

Choose Joplin if...

You need a tool built for privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking
You specifically need E2E Encryption and Markdown
You care about open-source codebase gives you full transparency and community-driven development