Notion vs Joplin
A side-by-side look at Notion (the paid SaaS) and Joplin (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Notion | Joplin | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | All-in-one workspace for notes, docs, and databases. | Open source Evernote alternative with markdown notes and end-to-end encryption. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | AGPL-3.0 |
| Pricing | Free tier; paid from $10/user/month. | Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 2/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | Yes |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | iOS, Android |
Best for
If Notion is overkill and you want encrypted markdown notes instead.
Joplin strengths
- End-to-end encryption for syncable notes.
- Works with Nextcloud, Dropbox, WebDAV, and Joplin Cloud.
- Web clipper and mobile apps available.
Joplin weaknesses
- Interface can feel basic compared to Notion-style tools.
- Plugin ecosystem is smaller than Obsidian's.
- Sync conflicts occasionally need manual resolution.
What's the catch with Notion?
- Data lives on someone else's server; sensitive notes feel exposed.
- Slow on large workspaces and offline support is limited.
- Export options for full workspaces are clunky.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Notion: see Notion alternatives, or learn more about Joplin on its project page.
Recommended reading
The real monthly cost of a Notion workspace at scale
Add-ons, seats, AI credits, storage. What a mid-sized team actually pays for Notion once you count everything — and what switching saves.
When self-hosting goes wrong: seven failure modes and how to avoid them
An honest retrospective on the ways self-hosted setups break — not in theory, but in practice — and the small habits that prevent most of them.
Will the open source project you depend on still exist in three years?
Bus factor, maintainer burnout, funding models, and the signals that separate OSS projects that survive from those that quietly decay.