Side by side
jrnl vs Notenik
Both stand on note-taking apps. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Choose jrnl if you want a free, open-source command-line journal with offline access, multiple journals, and plain-text files. Its encryption can protect journals, but someone who loses the password cannot recover the data.
Visit jrnl Free plan Mac
Notenik combines plain-text, Markdown-based note management with custom fields, integrations, sharing, and publishing workflows. Its free, open-source model and offline operation are useful, but the current Swift version is limited to macOS.
Visit NotenikThe facts
| jrnl | Notenik | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Mac |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | jrnl.sh | notenik.app |
| On note-taking apps | #148 of 216 | #152 of 216 |
jrnl: what it does well
- Works offline on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Natural-language timestamps can be used for entries.
- Inline tags support searching and filtering.
- Supports multiple journals and plain-text storage.
- Imports entries and exports to several formats.
What to know first
- Requires command-line use.
- Lost encryption passwords cannot be recovered or reset.
- Installation guide recommends pipx with Python 3.11 or later.
Notenik: what it does well
- Offline access on macOS
- Plain-text notes in collections
- Markdown with advanced features
- Custom fields for sorting and filtering
- Static-site publishing through templates and scripts
What to know first
- Runs only on Mac
- Available exclusively through the Mac App Store
- May not suit non-Mac primary users