What is the difference between Joplin and Standard Notes?

Joplin is best for Privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking, while Standard Notes is best for Privacy-focused users wanting encrypted notes. Joplin starts at Free and Standard Notes starts at Free.

Is Joplin or Standard Notes cheaper?

Joplin starts at Free and is free. Standard Notes starts at Free with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to Standard Notes?

Both Joplin and Standard Notes offer free tiers.

Joplin vs Standard Notes

Joplin is open-source note-taking with end-to-end encryption, Markdown support, and sync via any cloud, while Standard Notes is end-to-end encrypted note-taking app with extensible editors and self-hosting option. Joplin is built for privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking, whereas Standard Notes targets privacy-focused users wanting encrypted notes.

At a glance

	Joplin	Standard Notes
Best for	Privacy-focused users wanting open-source note-taking	Privacy-focused users wanting encrypted notes
Starting price	Free	Free
Free tier	✓	✓
Open source	✓	✓
Free tier available	✓	✓
Open source	✓	✓
E2E Encryption	✓	✓
Editors	—	✓
Markdown	✓	—
Open Source	✓	—
Self-Hosted	—	✓
Tags	—	✓
Webclipper	✓	—

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

Standard Notes

Strengths

Open source and transparent
End-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator
Fully open-source — you can self-host, audit the code, and avoid vendor lock-in
Free with basic editors — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Self-hosting requires Linux admin skills and ongoing server maintenance
Moving notes out to another platform can be difficult — export options vary
Community support can be slower than the dedicated support teams at commercial alternatives

Try Standard Notes → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: Both Joplin and Standard Notes are free. You can try both without spending a dollar.

Feature gaps: Joplin offers Markdown, Open Source and Webclipper that Standard Notes lacks. Standard Notes brings Editors, Self-Hosted and Tags that Joplin does not have. Both share E2E Encryption.

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

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

Where each tool shines: Joplin's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. open-source codebase gives you full transparency and community-driven development. Standard Notes's biggest strengths are: open source and transparent. end-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator.

Watch out for: With Joplin, users commonly note that may lack some advanced features. With Standard Notes, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

Choose Joplin if...

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

Choose Standard Notes if...

You need a tool built for privacy-focused users wanting encrypted notes
You specifically need Editors and Self-Hosted
You care about end-to-end encryption by default — messages are unreadable even to the server operator
The free tier works for you: free with basic editors