QOwnNotes

Free plan AndroidAPIExtensionLinuxMacSelf-hosted+2

What QOwnNotes is

QOwnNotes is a free, open-source Markdown note-taking app for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows. It saves notes as plain-text Markdown files in a folder on your computer, so you can work with them offline and choose a separate sync client. It does not sync notes or media files itself; the site recommends clients such as Nextcloud or ownCloud. Those services can also provide note sharing, task lists, note history, and access to trashed notes. The editor includes Markdown highlighting and preview, hierarchical tags and subfolders, wiki-style links, Vim mode, and portable mode. You can import from Evernote or Joplin, or work directly with existing text and Markdown files. Optional encryption includes built-in AES-256 and custom methods such as PGP. A browser extension clips selected text, captures screenshots, and manages bookmarks. The web companion sends phone photos to the current desktop note, with transport-encrypted communication; the site says images are not stored on its server. Built-in AI support includes script integrations for providers such as OpenAI and Groq, plus an MCP server for searching and fetching notes.

Who it suits

QOwnNotes suits people who want notes kept as local Markdown files and prefer to choose their own sync workflow. It may also fit users seeking offline access, optional encryption, or integrations with Nextcloud and ownCloud.

What it does well

Stores notes as local plain-text Markdown files.
Supports offline note-taking and optional AES-256 encryption.
Includes Markdown preview, wiki links, tags, and Vim mode.
Imports from Evernote and Joplin.
Integrates with Nextcloud and ownCloud for sharing and history.

What to know first

Does not sync notes or media files itself.
No free trial is listed.
Syncing requires a separate client or workflow.

Limits

The free QOwnNotes plan is the only plan listed. QOwnNotes does not sync notes or media files itself; the site recommends pairing it with a sync client such as Nextcloud or ownCloud.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
QOwnNotes	Free open source software; no paid plans stated	Free

As qownnotes.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the QOwnNotes website.
Choose a supported environment: GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows, or Android; web access and a browser extension are also listed.
Install QOwnNotes using the route offered for your environment.
Create notes in the local folder or open existing text and Markdown files.
If you want synchronization or sharing, connect a sync client such as Nextcloud or ownCloud.

Verdict

QOwnNotes centers on local Markdown files, with editing, import, and encryption features for working with them. Its main trade-off is that syncing is left to a separate client, rather than handled by the app itself.

Questions

How much does QOwnNotes cost?

QOwnNotes is free, with a listed plan price of $0.

Is QOwnNotes open source?

Yes. It is GPL-licensed open-source software.

Which platforms does it support?

The listed platforms include GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, web, and a browser extension.

Does QOwnNotes sync notes?

It does not synchronize notes or media files itself. The site recommends using a sync client such as Nextcloud or ownCloud.

Can I use existing notes or import from another app?

Yes. QOwnNotes can work with existing text or Markdown files, and its feature list includes imports from Evernote and Joplin.

Who makes QOwnNotes?

The site credits Patrizio Bekerle as the maker and says development is done mostly by one person in spare time.

Facts from QOwnNotes's own pages

AI integrations: Built-in AI support includes script integration for providers such as OpenAI and Groq, plus an MCP server for searching and fetching notes. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Browser extension: The browser extension can clip selected text, take screenshots, and manage bookmarks, and the concept page says it works offline. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Editor features: Features include Markdown highlighting and preview, hierarchical tags and subfolders, wiki-style links, Vim mode, and portable mode. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Encryption: Optional note encryption includes built-in AES-256 and support for custom methods such as PGP. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · qownnotes.org, 20 Sept 2026
Imports: The feature list includes Evernote and Joplin imports and use of existing text or Markdown files without importing them. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Integrations: Nextcloud,ownCloud,Nextcloud Notes,QOwnNotesAPI,Nextcloud Deck,CalDAV,Dropbox,Syncthing,Seafile,BitTorrent Sync,Git · qownnotes.org, 20 Sept 2026
Local files: Notes are stored as plain-text Markdown files in a folder on the user's computer. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Maker: The site credits Patrizio Bekerle as the maker, and says the application is developed mostly by one person in spare time. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Nextcloud and ownCloud: It can integrate with Nextcloud and ownCloud for note sharing, task lists, note history, and trashed-note access. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Note sharing: Yes · qownnotes.org, 20 Sept 2026
Offline access: Yes · qownnotes.org, 20 Sept 2026
Supported platforms: web,windows,macos,linux,android,chrome_extension · qownnotes.org, 20 Sept 2026
Privacy metrics: Optional usage metrics are stored on a self-hosted Matomo server, are anonymized after receipt, and can be turned off in the application settings. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: QOwnNotes is a GPL-licensed plain-text Markdown note-taking application for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The project directs users with package or repository problems to its GitHub issues page and invites community discussion in its Telegram group. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Sync limit: QOwnNotes does not sync notes or media files itself; the site recommends using a sync client such as Nextcloud or ownCloud. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Web companion: The web app lets users send phone photos to the current desktop note; its communication is transport encrypted and the site says images are not stored on the server. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Who it suits: Its local Markdown files and optional sync-client workflow suit users who want to keep notes as files and choose how to sync them. · qownnotes.org, 11 Oct 2026

Where QOwnNotes stands on Freedom251

Note-taking apps#51 of 216
Secure Notes Apps#14 of 30