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Joplin
Open source note-taking and to-do application
ProductivityFreeOpen SourceReplaces Evernote ($15/mo)
Joplin — Official Website
Quick Take: Joplin
4.6
In 2026, Joplin remains the undisputed champion for privacy-conscious users who refuse to compromise on features. While it lacks the glitzy animations of Apple Notes or the infinite graph customizability of Obsidian, it wins on reliability, data sovereignty, and a 'just works' free sync model. It is a workhorse application: sturdy, secure, and infinitely adaptable via plugins. For Mac users who are tired of subscription fatigue and want a digital notebook they can truly own for decades, Joplin is the best choice available today. It is less suited for users who need pencil-first inputs or real-time collaborative editing suites.
Best For
- •Privacy Advocates
- •Software Developers
- •Academic Researchers
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask joplinWhat is Joplin?
Joplin is a free, open-source note-taking and to-do application that has established itself as the privacy-focused standard for knowledge management on macOS in 2026. Created by Laurent Cozic in 2017, Joplin was built as a direct response to the proprietary lock-in of Evernote, offering a 'local-first' architecture where users own their data absolutely. By version 3.5 (released late 2025), Joplin has matured from a developer-centric tool into a polished productivity suite that competes directly with Obsidian and Apple Notes. At its core, Joplin is an Electron-based application that stores notes in standard Markdown format, utilizing an SQLite database for indexing. Its value proposition in 2026 remains unique: it offers the convenience of cloud synchronization (via Joplin Cloud or your own infrastructure) without sacrificing end-to-end encryption (E2EE). Unlike competitors that scan your notes for AI training, Joplin guarantees that your data is mathematically inaccessible to anyone but you. For Mac users, Joplin bridges the gap between the structured rigidity of traditional note apps and the hacker-friendly flexibility of plain text. It supports multimedia, mathematical notation (KaTeX), and diagrams (Mermaid), making it indispensable for developers, academics, and privacy advocates. While it lacks the native 'Apple-like' fluidity of first-party apps, its powerful plugin system and uncompromising stance on data sovereignty make it the definitive choice for users who demand total control over their digital second brain.
Deep Dive: The Tech Behind Joplin
Joplin's longevity is built on standard, non-proprietary technologies that ensure your data outlives the app itself.
History & Background
Founded in 2017 by Laurent Cozic, Joplin started as a terminal app before expanding to desktop and mobile. Its growth has been steady and community-driven, avoiding VC funding traps. By 2025/2026 (Version 3.x), it reached a milestone of maturity with the introduction of multi-instance support and a stabilized plugin API.
How It Works
Joplin is an Electron app on desktop and React Native on mobile. Uniquely, it doesn't just read files from a folder; it uses a local SQLite database for speed, indexing, and complex relationships (like tags and note links). This architecture enables fast search across tens of thousands of notes but requires an 'Export' step to get raw files.
Ecosystem & Integrations
The ecosystem is thriving with over 200 plugins. From 'Math Mode' for LaTeX to 'Note Overview' for dynamic dashboards, the community fills every gap. The 'Joplin Cloud' service also funds development, creating a sustainable financial model that keeps the core app open-source.
Future Development
Looking ahead to late 2026, the roadmap focuses on 'Mobile Parity'—bringing the full power of plugins and theming to iOS and Android. Additionally, improvements to the real-time collaboration engine in Joplin Server aim to make it a viable Google Docs alternative for small privacy-focused teams.
Key Features
End-to-End Encryption (E2EE)
Joplin's flagship feature is its client-side encryption implementation. Unlike standard transport encryption (HTTPS), Joplin encrypts your notes, images, and metadata on your Mac *before* they ever touch the internet. It uses strong AES-256 encryption derived from a master password. This means that even if you sync via a public cloud service like Dropbox or OneDrive, or if the sync server itself is compromised, your data remains an unintelligible blob of characters to attackers. For users in 2026, this offers peace of mind against data breaches and AI scraping.
Hybrid Markdown & Rich Text Editor
Joplin offers a dual-mode editing experience that caters to both writers and coders. Users can toggle between a pure Markdown editor (split-screen with live preview) and a Rich Text (WYSIWYG) editor that behaves like Microsoft Word. Technically, the Rich Text editor transparently converts your formatting into Markdown in the background. This flexibility matters because it allows users to draft complex documents with headers, tables, and images visually, while still retaining the future-proof portability of plain text files.
Web Clipper Extension
The Web Clipper is a browser extension (available for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox) that captures web pages with high fidelity. It can save a page as a simplified article (removing ads and sidebars), a complete HTML page, a screenshot, or just a URL. Unlike simple bookmarking, this downloads the content into your local database, ensuring you have the information even if the original website goes offline (link rot). It is essential for researchers building a permanent archive of sources.
Sync Agnosticism
Joplin does not force you into a proprietary cloud ecosystem. It supports synchronization with a wide array of services including Joplin Cloud (official), Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, S3 (Amazon AWS), and WebDAV. Technically, Joplin treats these targets as dumb file storage, pushing encrypted chunks of data. This matters for 2026 users who may already pay for iCloud or Dropbox storage, or for enterprise users who mandate self-hosted servers (like Nextcloud) for compliance reasons.
Plugin System
The plugin architecture transforms Joplin from a simple note-taker into a modular OS. Built on a standardized API, developers can create extensions that modify the UI, add new rendering capabilities, or automate tasks. In 2026, this ecosystem includes hundreds of verified plugins. This modularity is critical because it allows users to add features like Kanban boards, note tabs, or BibTeX integration without bloating the core application for everyone else.
Note History & Versioning
Joplin automatically saves note history at configurable intervals (e.g., every 10 minutes) for a set number of days. This version control runs locally, using differential storage to keep the database size manageable. It protects users against accidental deletions or catastrophic editing mistakes. In a year where 'autocorrect' AI can hallucinate changes, having a hard-coded revision history allows you to roll back to a mathematically exact previous state of your document.
Who Should Use Joplin?
1The Academic Researcher
Dr. Aris needs to organize thousands of PDFs, web clippings, and citations for a thesis. Using Joplin, they create a 'Thesis' notebook hierarchy. They use the Web Clipper to capture journal articles from Safari directly into specific sub-notebooks, stripping away ads. They attach PDFs to notes, which Joplin encrypts automatically. Using the 'BibTeX' plugin, they cite sources within their Markdown drafts. Finally, they use the 'Export' feature to compile their chapter notes into a single PDF for review. The outcome is a completely offline, searchable, and encrypted research database that syncs securely to their iPad for reading.
2The Privacy-Conscious Developer
Marcus works on sensitive code and refuses to use cloud-based apps like Notion that lack E2EE. He installs Joplin via Homebrew and points the sync target to his self-hosted Nextcloud server running on a Raspberry Pi. He uses the Markdown editor to write technical documentation, utilizing triple-backtick code fences for syntax highlighting and Mermaid syntax to draw flowcharts. He installs the 'VS Code Integration' plugin to edit his notes directly inside his favorite IDE. The result is a workflow where his intellectual property never leaves his physical control.
3The Cross-Platform Freelancer
Sarah switches between a MacBook Pro for design work and an Android phone on the go. She uses Joplin Cloud (Basic tier) to sync seamlessly between them. She uses the 'Kanban' plugin on her Mac to manage client project stages (To Do, In Progress, Done). On her phone, she uses the newly improved mobile Rich Text editor to jot down meeting minutes during client calls. She uses the 'Note Tabs' plugin on desktop to keep multiple project specs open simultaneously. The outcome is a unified workspace that costs her less than a cup of coffee a month and keeps her client data secure.
How to Install Joplin on Mac
Installing Joplin on macOS is straightforward. You can download the DMG directly or use a package manager for easier updates. The app supports both Intel and Apple Silicon (M-series) chips natively.
1
Install via Homebrew (Recommended)
Open your Terminal and run the following command to install the latest maintained cask: `brew install --cask joplin`
2
Alternative: Direct Download
Visit the official download page at `joplinapp.org/download` and grab the latest `.dmg` file for macOS.
3
Initial Launch & Permission
Launch Joplin from your Applications folder. You may need to grant it permissions to access the network for synchronization.
Pro Tips
- • Enable the 'Web Clipper' service in settings immediately to pair it with your browser extension.
- • If using the DMG, enable 'Check for updates' in preferences to stay on the latest version.
- • Allow Joplin to run in the background if you want sync to happen silently.
Configuration Tips
Set Up Encryption First
Before you sync a single note, go to `Settings > Encryption` and enable it. Create a strong master password. This ensures that when you do connect a cloud service, your data is uploaded in an encrypted state from the very first byte. Doing this later can trigger a long re-sync process.
Optimize the Layout
Go to `View > Change application layout` to customize your pane arrangement. For a cleaner look, disable the 'Note List' if you prefer navigating via the sidebar. Also, install the 'macOS Theme' plugin to make the interface blend better with the native Mac aesthetic.
Configure the Web Clipper Port
If the Web Clipper extension fails to find the app, go to `Settings > Web Clipper` and ensure the port (usually 41184) is not blocked by your firewall. This local server is required for the browser extension to talk to the desktop app.
Alternatives to Joplin
Joplin occupies a specific niche for users wanting open-source privacy. Here is how it stacks up against the 2026 heavyweights.
O
Obsidian
Obsidian is Joplin's closest rival. It is more polished and has a larger plugin community, but it is not open-source (proprietary license for commercial use). Obsidian lacks a built-in free sync (Obsidian Sync costs ~$8-10/month), whereas Joplin lets you sync for free via Dropbox/OneDrive. Choose Obsidian for the graph view and UI; choose Joplin for open-source purity and free syncing.
A
Apple Notes
The default option on every Mac. It is faster, has better pencil support on iPad, and integrates deeply with macOS (Siri, Quick Note). However, it locks you into the Apple ecosystem with no easy export format (notes are stored in a proprietary DB). Choose Apple Notes for convenience; choose Joplin if you want to own your data and use non-Apple devices.
E
Evernote
The app Joplin was built to replace. In 2026, Evernote is expensive (~$15+/month) and bloat-heavy. While it has powerful OCR and AI search features that Joplin lacks natively, its privacy policy allows data scanning, and it is strictly closed-source. Joplin is the free, private alternative for users tired of Evernote's price hikes.
Pricing
Free, Open-Source
Joplin is 100% free software (MIT License). There are no paywalls for core features like E2EE, unlimited notes, or attachment handling. **Optional Sync Service (Joplin Cloud):** * **Basic:** ~€2.99/mo (10MB note limit, 2GB storage) * **Pro:** ~€5.99/mo (200MB note limit, 10GB storage, sharing features) * **Teams:** ~€7.99/user/mo (Collaboration features) Alternatively, you can self-host the Joplin Server for free on your own hardware.
Pros
- ✓**True Privacy:** Client-side E2EE ensures only you can read your notes.
- ✓**No Vendor Lock-in:** Data is stored in open formats (Markdown/SQLite) and can be exported easily.
- ✓**Free Syncing:** Unlike Obsidian, you can sync for free using your existing Dropbox or OneDrive.
- ✓**Robust Web Clipper:** One of the best clippers in the market for archiving web content.
- ✓**Plugin Ecosystem:** Hundreds of community plugins to extend functionality.
- ✓**Offline First:** Works perfectly without an internet connection.
- ✓**Cross-Platform:** Identical experience on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Cons
- ✗**UI Polish:** The interface (Electron) feels less native and fluid than Apple Notes.
- ✗**Sync Setup Complexity:** Setting up self-hosted sync or resolving sync conflicts can be technical.
- ✗**Mobile App Lag:** The mobile app is functionally complete but lags behind the desktop in features and speed.
- ✗**No Native AI:** Lacks built-in AI summarization or generation features found in modern competitors.
Community & Support
Joplin boasts a vibrant, mature open-source community. The official Discourse forum is the hub for support, with active participation from creator Laurent Cozic and core maintainers. Users can find extensive help threads, plugin announcements, and CSS themes. The GitHub repository is highly active, with regular commits and a transparent roadmap. While there is no 24/7 chat support (unless you pay for Joplin Cloud Pro), the documentation is comprehensive, and community troubleshooting is generally fast and high-quality.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started with Joplin
Phylux Express1.6K views
More Tutorials
NEW TO MAC? Watch this 6 Minutes Mac Tutorial
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Frequently Asked Questions about Joplin
Joplin does not have a native handwriting engine like Apple Notes or GoodNotes. However, you can use the 'Freehand Drawing' plugin to sketch simple diagrams, or open an attached image in an external editor (like Preview) to annotate it. For heavy stylus users, Joplin is better suited as a storage archive than a creation tool.
Our Verdict
4.6/5
In 2026, Joplin remains the undisputed champion for privacy-conscious users who refuse to compromise on features. While it lacks the glitzy animations of Apple Notes or the infinite graph customizability of Obsidian, it wins on reliability, data sovereignty, and a 'just works' free sync model. It is a workhorse application: sturdy, secure, and infinitely adaptable via plugins. For Mac users who are tired of subscription fatigue and want a digital notebook they can truly own for decades, Joplin is the best choice available today. It is less suited for users who need pencil-first inputs or real-time collaborative editing suites.
Best for:Privacy AdvocatesSoftware DevelopersAcademic Researchers
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management
8+ years in operations management · PMP certified
Related Technologies & Concepts
Laurent CozicElectronSQLiteEnd-to-End EncryptionMarkdownJoplin CloudObsidian
Laurent Cozic (Creator and Lead Maintainer of Joplin), Electron (The underlying framework powering the Joplin macOS desktop app), SQLite (The database engine Joplin uses to index notes and metadata locally), End-to-End Encryption (The core security feature differentiating Joplin from Evernote), Markdown (The standard file format used for note content), Joplin Cloud (The official paid synchronization service offered by the developers), Obsidian (The primary competitor in the 'local-first' note-taking market)
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Feb 15, 2026
- 1pcmag.com
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 2nimc.gov.ng
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
Research queries: ; Joplin Cloud pricing tiers 2025; Joplin app roadmap 2025 features; Joplin app latest version release notes 2024 2025; Laurent Cozic Joplin development 2024 2025
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