What is the difference between Apple Notes and Joplin?

Apple Notes is best for Apple users who want simple, synced notes, while Joplin is best for Privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking. Apple Notes starts at Free and Joplin starts at Free.

Is Apple Notes or Joplin cheaper?

Apple Notes starts at Free and is free. Joplin starts at Free and is free.

Is there a free alternative to Joplin?

Both Apple Notes and Joplin offer free tiers.

Apple Notes vs Joplin

Apple Notes is built-in note-taking app for Apple devices with iCloud sync, folders, and basic formatting, while Joplin is open-source note-taking with end-to-end encryption, Markdown support, and sync via any cloud. Joplin is open source and can be self-hosted, giving you full control over your data. Apple Notes is built for apple users who want simple, synced notes, whereas Joplin targets privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking.

At a glance

	Apple Notes	Joplin
Best for	Apple users who want simple, synced notes	Privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking
Starting price	Free	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	—	✓
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	—	✓
E2E Encryption	—	✓
Folders	✓	—
Markdown	—	✓
Open Source	—	✓
Quick Notes	✓	—
Scan Documents	✓	—
Webclipper	—	✓
iCloud Sync	✓	—

Apple Notes

Strengths

Includes iCloud Sync as a core feature, purpose-built for note taking workflows
Includes Folders as a core feature, purpose-built for note taking workflows
The core product is free with no paywalled essentials
Established product with 14+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem

Weaknesses

May lack some advanced features
Some advanced features require upgrading to a paid plan
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 Apple Notes → 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 Apple Notes and Joplin are free, so this decision comes down to features and philosophy rather than budget.

Feature gaps: Apple Notes offers Folders, Quick Notes and Scan Documents that Joplin lacks. Joplin brings E2E Encryption, Markdown and Open Source that Apple Notes does not have.

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

Open source: Joplin is open source, meaning you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in. Apple Notes is proprietary — you are trusting the vendor with your data and uptime.

Where each tool shines: Apple Notes's biggest strengths are: includes icloud sync as a core feature, purpose-built for note taking workflows. includes folders as a core feature, purpose-built for note taking workflows. Joplin's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. open-source codebase gives you full transparency and community-driven development.

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

Choose Apple Notes if...

You need a tool built for apple users who want simple, synced notes
You specifically need Folders and Quick Notes
You care about includes folders as a core feature, purpose-built for note taking workflows

Choose Joplin if...

You need a tool built for privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking
You need self-hosting, data sovereignty, or the ability to audit source code
You specifically need E2E Encryption and Markdown
You care about open-source codebase gives you full transparency and community-driven development