Yes, Joplin is completely free to use. It is also open source, so you can inspect and contribute to the code.

How do I uninstall Joplin?

Open Terminal and run `brew uninstall --cask joplin`. Homebrew will remove Joplin and all associated files cleanly. You can verify it was removed by running `brew list`.

What are alternatives to Joplin?

There are several productivity apps available for macOS. Browse the Productivity category on Bundl.run to compare features, popularity, and install counts for similar tools.

How do I update Joplin to the latest version?

Run `brew upgrade --cask joplin` in Terminal to update to the latest version. You can also run `brew outdated` to check if an update is available.

Does Joplin work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4)?

Yes, Joplin can be installed on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs via Homebrew. Homebrew automatically handles the correct version for your hardware.

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PublishedJanuary 1, 2026•UpdatedApril 9, 2026

Joplin

Name: Joplin
Availability: InStock

Open source note-taking and to-do application

ProductivityFreeOpen SourceReplaces Evernote ($15/mo)

Joplin screenshot — Joplin — Official Website

What is Joplin?

Open source note-taking and to-do application

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask joplin

How to Install Joplin on Mac

Follow these steps to install Joplin using Homebrew, the most popular package manager for macOS. This works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.

1
Open Terminal
Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder, or press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal".
2
Install Homebrew
If you don't have Homebrew yet, paste the install script from brew.sh into Terminal and follow the prompts.
3
Run brew install --cask joplin
Paste the following command into Terminal and press Enter:
brew install --cask joplin
4
Verify Installation
Run `brew list` to confirm joplin is installed, then try `joplin --version` to check the version number.
5
Launch Joplin
Run `joplin` in your Terminal to start using it.

Troubleshooting

• If you see a permission error, try prefixing the command with sudo.
• If Homebrew can't find the package, run brew update first to refresh the package list.
• On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at /opt/homebrew (the default for M-series chips).

Key Features

Easy installation via Homebrew

Regular updates and maintenance

Free to use

Open source codebase

Pros

✓Simple one-command installation
✓Well-maintained and regularly updated
✓Completely free to use

Cons

✗Requires Homebrew to be installed
✗macOS only

Video Tutorials

Getting Started with Joplin

Phylux Express1.6K views

NEW TO MAC? Watch this 6 Minutes Mac Tutorial

Apple Wale Bhaiya • 515.6K views

NEW TO MAC? Mac Tutorial for Beginners 2025

MacVince • 1.3M views

Joplin Vs Obsidian (2026) | Which Note-Taking App Is Better?

Dani's Tutorials • 2.6K views

Frequently Asked Questions about Joplin

Open Terminal, install Homebrew if you haven't already (visit brew.sh), then run `brew install --cask joplin`. The app will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can then run `joplin` from Terminal.

About the Author

Jordan Kim

Productivity & Workflow Analyst

Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management

8+ years in operations management · PMP certified

Compare Joplin

Joplin vs Obsidian

note-taking

Joplin is a Free Alternative

Joplin can replace these paid apps:

Evernote$15/mo

Browse all free alternatives

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Read our complete guide to the best productivity for Mac

PublishedJanuary 1, 2026•UpdatedApril 9, 2026

Joplin

Open source note-taking and to-do application

ProductivityFreeOpen SourceReplaces Evernote ($15/mo)

What is Joplin?

Open source note-taking and to-do application

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask joplin

How to Install Joplin on Mac

Follow these steps to install Joplin using Homebrew, the most popular package manager for macOS. This works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.

1
Open Terminal
Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder, or press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal".
2
Install Homebrew
If you don't have Homebrew yet, paste the install script from brew.sh into Terminal and follow the prompts.
3
Run brew install --cask joplin
Paste the following command into Terminal and press Enter:
brew install --cask joplin
4
Verify Installation
Run `brew list` to confirm joplin is installed, then try `joplin --version` to check the version number.
5
Launch Joplin
Run `joplin` in your Terminal to start using it.

Troubleshooting

• If you see a permission error, try prefixing the command with sudo.
• If Homebrew can't find the package, run brew update first to refresh the package list.
• On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at /opt/homebrew (the default for M-series chips).