TiddlyWiki

TiddlyWiki is a non-linear notebook for building a personal web of notes, projects and other complex information. It suits people who want to shape their own information system and are willing to choose how it saves and runs. Its free, self-contained format is a strong reason to consider it; its saving and security trade-offs deserve care.

Overview

TiddlyWiki stores information in small units called tiddlers, which users can connect through links, tags, lists and macros. That structure works well when ideas need to relate to one another rather than sit in a fixed sequence. It can hold notes, to-do lists, projects and websites, though the freedom to build a system also means users must decide how to organize it.

In its single-file configuration, content and code live in one HTML file that runs in a browser without installation or external dependencies. That makes the wiki portable and avoids a separate application setup. A Node.js version runs with a web server and is more powerful, but setting it up and maintaining it takes more technical knowledge.

Key features

Linking, search and customization

Tiddlers can be connected and grouped using links, tags, lists and macros. Search works across tiddlers and supports filters for system and shadow tiddlers, useful for finding material in a larger or more customized wiki. Plugins, themes, colour palettes, widgets and macros let users extend and adapt the experience, but this depth is most valuable to people willing to shape their own workspace.

Importing and saving

Users can import content from files or other TiddlyWiki windows by selecting or dragging files, or by pasting content. Saving depends on the chosen setup: TiddlyWiki supports multiple methods with different capabilities and limitations. Single-file wikis can be stored or synchronized through Google Drive, Apple iCloud, Dropbox or Syncthing. A WebDAV-enabled server can save changes automatically over HTTP for wikis created after 2016.

Tiddlyhost is an independently run community service with free accounts. For users who want more control, the Node.js server is an option, but its simple multi-user login is intended for individuals or small groups on a trusted network. The documentation recommends an external proxy before exposing it to the internet.

Security

The single-file configuration includes AES 128-bit encryption in CCM mode, but it has not undergone rigorous third-party testing. That caveat makes it a poor choice for information that requires the assurance of rigorously tested encryption. Users should also treat the Node.js login as a trusted-network feature, not a substitute for the recommended proxy when exposing a server online.

Pricing

TiddlyWiki is free and open source, with a free plan priced at $0. There is no free trial because the project itself is free. Donations support hosting and ongoing development. This makes it accessible for personal use without a subscription, but users choosing a saving or hosting method should weigh its own capabilities and limitations.

Platforms

TiddlyWiki supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web and self-hosted use. The single-file version runs in a browser, while the Node.js application provides a server-based route. Official desktop applications are offered for macOS, Windows and Linux; the getting-started guide includes Android and iOS among ways to explore saving changes.

Who it's for

TiddlyWiki is a good fit for people who want a flexible, connected personal notebook and value keeping a wiki in a portable HTML file. It also suits technically confident users who want to run a Node.js wiki or build a customized workspace. It is less suitable for people who want a fixed, managed setup without having to choose a saving method, or for users who need rigorously tested encryption. The site describes Xememex as a multiuser TiddlyWiki for companies and teams.

Pros and cons

• Pro: A single HTML file contains both data and code and runs in a browser without installation or external dependencies, making it a portable way to keep a wiki.
• Pro: Tiddlers, flexible search and customization options support interconnected information and different ways of organizing it.
• Pro: The project is free and open source, with desktop, mobile, browser and self-hosted routes.
• Con: Saving methods have different capabilities and limitations, so users need to choose a setup that fits how they work.
• Con: Node.js hosting requires technical knowledge to set up and maintain; internet-facing use also calls for an external proxy.
• Con: The built-in single-file encryption has not had rigorous third-party testing, so it should not be treated like a rigorously tested solution.

Alternatives

For a team that wants a free plan capped at 10 users, Confluence offers 2 GB of file storage and three active whiteboards per user on its free tier. Foswiki is another free, community-supported self-hosted option. Choose ikiwiki if you want free software for Linux, macOS or self-hosted use. MediaWiki is a free, self-hosted option under GNU GPL version 2 or later. MoinMoin is free software licensed under the GNU GPL. PmWiki is a free, open-source self-hosted option that requires PHP. Tiki Wiki CMS Groupware is free, libre open-source software for self-hosted installation. TWiki provides free GPL software with Perl CGI source code, templates and documentation, and requires web server administration.

Browse Wiki Software, Knowledge Management Software, Personal Knowledge Management Software, Note-taking apps and Knowledge base software for more options.

Verdict

Choose TiddlyWiki if you want a free, adaptable notebook that can live in one portable HTML file or be extended into a server-based wiki. Its connected tiddlers and customization make it compelling for people who want to build their own system. Look elsewhere if you need a managed saving workflow or encryption backed by rigorous third-party testing.