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Choose Joplin if you want a local-first notebook system built around Markdown, attachments, web clipping, plugins, and a choice of sync providers. Choose Standard Notes if you want a simpler account-based service with end-to-end encrypted sync and are willing to pay for richer editors, file storage, or extended history. Neither is a universal winner: the key difference is how much control and setup you want around your notes.
Joplin vs. Standard Notes at a glance
| What matters | Joplin | Standard Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core approach | Offline-first notebook app; notes are stored locally and organized into notebooks and tags. | Privacy-focused notes service centered on encrypted account sync and a simple writing experience. |
| Offline access | Notes are available on the device and can be edited offline; synchronization resumes when the app is running and connected. | Offline access is supported; syncing is tied to the account or a self-hosted server. |
| End-to-end encryption | Available, but the user must configure it and manage the master-key password. | Part of the ordinary account experience; the official plan page describes XChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption. |
| Sync choices | Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, S3, WebDAV, Dropbox, OneDrive, or local filesystem. | Standard account sync, or self-hosting using its open-source server code. |
| Writing format | Markdown is the underlying format; a Rich Text editor is also available with Markdown-related limitations. | Plain-text-centered core; paid plans add richer editors and note types. |
| Attachments | Supports images, documents, audio, video, and PDFs; storage and file-size limits depend on the sync target or plan. | Encrypted file attachments are a paid feature; listed storage depends on plan. |
| Capture and customization | Browser Web Clipper for Firefox and Chrome, plugins, and themes. | Web app for accessing and editing notes; paid plans add editors and customization. |
| History and collaboration | Cloud or server plan features include notebook sharing and collaboration; plan details vary. | Note history is included in paid tiers; Professional includes unlimited history and sharing/collaboration. |
| Best fit | Research archives, Markdown-heavy notes, attachments, customization, and users who want sync-provider choice. | Private writing, journals, and users who prefer encrypted account sync with minimal configuration. |
Feature availability and prices can change. Plan details below are based on the vendors’ official pages as observed August 16–18, 2026.
What each app is designed to do
Joplin: a flexible local-first notebook
Joplin is an open-source notes and to-do app for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It keeps notes on the device, organizes them in notebooks and sub-notebooks, and adds tags, note links, attachments, search, plugins, themes, and a browser clipper. Its format and architecture make it well suited to people who want their note library to behave more like a portable working archive than a single hosted service. Joplin’s documentation describes the app and its supported features.
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Joplin does not require Joplin Cloud. You can select a different synchronization target, including an existing Nextcloud, WebDAV, S3, Dropbox, or OneDrive setup, or use local filesystem synchronization. That flexibility is useful, but it also means the user has to choose, configure, and maintain more of the arrangement. Joplin’s sync documentation lists the targets and explains the system.
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- A digital notebook for all your writing needs - Replace your stack of notebooks with a single device purpose-built for writing, reading, and thinking. No notifications or social media.
- With AI tools to transform your notes - Convert messy handwriting into readable font, summarize your notes, and change their length and tone with built-in AI notebook tools.
- Feels like pen on paper - See, feel and hear your thoughts meet the page with every stroke of the Premium Pen. No need to set up or charge, just start writing.
- Easily import and mark up documents - Import documents and PDFs using Send to Kindle, and mark them up directly on the page.
- Capture insights as you read – Just start writing on a book's page and Active Canvas will create space for your notes. Expand the margins to add more notes, or collapse them to see the original page.
Standard Notes: an encrypted service with optional productivity layers
Standard Notes focuses on encrypted notes synchronized through an account across devices, including desktop, mobile, and web access. Its open-source application repository describes end-to-end encrypted sync, unlimited devices, and a self-hosting option. The official repository is also the place to review its application and server code.
The free plan covers core encrypted notes and sync. More elaborate editors, encrypted files, longer history, and additional workspace or collaboration features are associated with paid plans. This makes Standard Notes simpler to start with than a configurable sync stack, but a plain-text user and a user who wants advanced editors or large encrypted file storage are comparing different tiers, not the same product.
Privacy and encryption: compare the setup, not just the label
Both apps support end-to-end encryption (E2EE), which is different from encryption only while data travels over the internet or while it is stored on a provider’s servers. E2EE is intended to prevent the sync provider from reading note contents. It does not protect an unlocked device from someone who can use it, malware, a malicious browser extension, or an unencrypted export you leave exposed.
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|---|---|---|
| How encryption enters the workflow | The user enables E2EE in the app, creates a master key, and synchronizes it to other devices. | Encrypted sync is part of the regular account workflow; the official plan page identifies XChaCha20-Poly1305. |
| What the user must protect | The master-key password. Joplin says it cannot be recovered if forgotten. | Account access and the credentials or recovery material required by the service; do not assume a provider can restore access to encrypted content if you lose the necessary secret. |
| Configuration risk | Higher: setup order matters, and initial encrypted sync may take a long time for a large library. | Lower for a typical account user because encryption is integrated into the service workflow. |
| Provider control | Can choose a sync target or self-host, in addition to Joplin Cloud. | Ordinary use is account/server based; self-hosting is available but requires administration. |
Joplin recommends beginning encryption on one device, letting the first encrypted synchronization complete, then connecting additional devices so they receive the key. Avoid creating separate keys independently on multiple devices. Its documentation also warns that the first encrypted resynchronization can be slow, and that a forgotten master-key password is not recoverable. See Joplin’s E2EE setup guide before enabling it on a large library.
Rank #2
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- Pencil Upgraded for Noting: The XPPen electronic note-taking tablet is powered by the X3 Pro smart chip, the X3 Pro Pencil 2 features 16K sensitivity and a soft pen nib, which help you achieve varied annotation effects in both stroke thickness and color depth based on writing pressure, making your key content stand out at a glance. The magnetic suction and customized shortcut key enhance your productivity and convenience
- Native Note-taking App: XPPen Notes enables you to enjoy seamless note-taking with permanent membership. It supports converting handwriting to text, recording sound, importing and editing PDF files, selecting multiple pen brushes, an AI assistant, waking up the XPPen Notes with one click, saving your notes automatically, and you can choose to upload them to OneDrive or Google Drive, and so on. If you upgrade the system to 1PAE, you can enjoy the new AI Notes functions, which include summarizing the PDFs you upload, converting the key points of AI Notes into flashcards, and pressing the quiz function from AI Notes
Standard Notes describes its notes and tags as end-to-end encrypted, and its plan page names XChaCha20-Poly1305. That is a description of the service’s design, not a guarantee that every threat disappears: a logged-in browser session or compromised device can expose readable notes. Neither app replaces full-disk encryption, a strong device login, secure backups, or a password manager for actual credentials.
Offline use and sync: control versus convenience
Working offline
Joplin explicitly describes itself as offline-first: notes are stored locally, so you can read and edit them without an internet connection. Synchronization uploads local changes and downloads remote changes when the application is running and connected. Standard Notes also supports offline access, but it is better understood as encrypted account synchronization with offline capability than as a file-oriented local-first system.
With either app, avoid editing the same note on several disconnected devices at once. Reconnect, let synchronization finish, and inspect any conflict or stale copy before continuing. Sync distributes changes; it is not an independent backup. A deletion can propagate, so keep a separate export or backup for important material.
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Joplin’s range of sync targets is its clearest advantage for people who already operate a server or have a preferred cloud provider. It can reduce dependence on Joplin Cloud specifically, but the chosen provider still has its own storage limits, availability, access controls, and backup practices. A free storage account is not automatically a reliable backup.
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Standard Notes reduces those decisions for a typical user: create an account, sign in on each device, and use encrypted sync. Users seeking infrastructure control can self-host, but open-source server software is not a maintenance-free service. Hosting requires updates, security hardening, monitoring, backups, and recovery testing. Joplin Server Business is another self-hosted route, with its own infrastructure and administration responsibilities.
Markdown and editors
Joplin keeps Markdown at the center
Joplin stores notes in Markdown even when you use its Rich Text editor. That suits technical notes and people who value readable, portable text. The Rich Text editor has constraints because it must map content to Markdown: some Markdown plugins are incompatible, HTML formatting can be lost, reference links may become inline links, and tables need Markdown-compatible syntax. If a workflow depends on specialized Markdown extensions, stick with the editor and syntax you have checked. See Joplin’s Rich Text editor documentation.
Standard Notes adds richer writing tools by plan
Standard Notes has a plain-text-centered core, but it is not limited to plain text. Its current plan comparison lists Super notes and more than 100 note types or editors as Productivity features, alongside additional file and history capabilities. Those tools are a better fit for users who want a polished writing surface without making Markdown the organizing principle of their library. The trade-off is that advanced editing is part of the subscription rather than an open-ended plugin model.
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Attachments, storage, and web capture
Attachments are a natural Joplin workflow
Joplin supports images, documents, audio, video, and PDFs. Attachments can be downloaded for offline use, and the documented default is to download them continuously. The practical limit is determined by the sync service: for Joplin Cloud, current limits are 10 MB per note or attachment on Basic and 200 MB on Pro, Pro 100 GB, and Teams. Other providers may impose different limits. Joplin’s attachment documentation explains offline handling.
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- 【Searchable Handwriting Note】Handwritten notes can be searched using keywords, tags, and timestamps, making it easier to find specific information.
- 【Multiple note file formats for storage and sharing】 PDF/Word/PNG/GIF/Mp4 (Note: Multiple PDF and png files can be combined before sharing).
- 【Audio Recording】 Records audio simultaneously while you write, allowing you to sync your notes with the corresponding audio for context. and Clicking on the notes allows you to locate and play back the corresponding audio content.
Standard Notes puts encrypted files in paid plans
Standard Notes’ official plan page lists encrypted file attachments and 25 GB for Productivity, and 100 GB of encrypted file storage for Professional. That can suit a private document collection, but users with large scans or media libraries should compare both the total storage and individual file limits shown at checkout; do not assume that either service offers unlimited files.
Joplin is stronger for web clipping
Joplin offers a Web Clipper for Firefox and Chrome to save web pages and screenshots, making it a more direct fit for research archives and reference collections. Its Cloud plans also provide browser access, publishing, and sharing features depending on plan. Standard Notes’ web app is a useful access and editing surface, but its core appeal is encrypted notes and sync rather than a browser clipping workflow. See Joplin’s help center for the clipper and app capabilities.
Organization, search, and knowledge management
Joplin uses notebooks and sub-notebooks, tags, note links, and to-dos. That familiar notebook structure works well for people migrating from Evernote or OneNote and for collections that mix reference notes with tasks. Plugins and themes extend the app beyond its built-in structure.
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Sharing, publishing, and collaboration
Joplin’s collaborative features are tied to relevant cloud or server arrangements, not an automatic capability of every free local installation. Joplin Cloud supports notebook sharing and collaboration with other Joplin Cloud users, as well as publishing notes that can be viewed in a browser; plan permissions vary. Standard Notes lists sharing and collaboration in Professional. These are different from privately syncing your own notes across devices.
Sharing necessarily changes who can access the content. A collaborator who is granted access is not an outside observer from the note’s privacy perspective, and publishing a note for browser access is not the same as keeping a private E2EE note. Before sharing sensitive material, check exactly who can open it, whether a link is public, and how access can be revoked. Neither app should be selected as a substitute for a real-time team document or database-style project management system.
Importing, exporting, and moving your library
Joplin imports and Evernote caveats
Joplin documents Evernote ENEX import, Markdown file and directory import, and OneNote migration workflows. On the desktop app, the documented menu paths for Markdown are File > Import > MD – Markdown (file) and File > Import > MD – Markdown (directory); Evernote files use File > Import > ENEX. Menu labels can vary with app version. The terminal import syntax documented by Joplin is:
import --format md /path/to/file.mdFor a directory, use:
import --format md /path/to/directory/Evernote imports can retain notes, notebooks, tags, attachments/resources, and metadata, but conversion to Markdown can lose font choices, colors, complex formatting, some recognition data, and some inter-note links. The Joplin import/export guide describes supported formats and limitations.
Test before a full migration
Both apps offer ways to export data, but an export is not a promise of perfect round-tripping. Standard Notes describes plain-text or JSON export as part of its portability model; exact import choices and behavior can change between releases. Before moving a large library, test a small sample that includes formatted notes, checklists, tables, tags, nested folders or notebooks, images, PDFs, internal links, and dates. Confirm what arrives on mobile, whether attachments open, and whether search finds the migrated content. Keep the original export, then make a fresh export from the destination so you know what you can take with you later. Exported archives may be unencrypted even when sync is encrypted.
Plans and costs
The following prices and limits were listed on the vendors’ official pages as observed August 16–18, 2026. Joplin prices are in euros; taxes and currency conversion can change the amount charged to a U.S. customer. Standard Notes prices are in U.S. dollars.
| Service or plan | Price shown | Storage and limits listed | Relevant features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin application | Free, open source | Depends on the sync target | Local notes, notebooks, Markdown, attachments, plugins; hosted sync is optional. |
| Joplin Cloud Basic | €2.99 monthly; €28.69 yearly (€2.40/month annual equivalent) | 2 GB; 10 MB per note or attachment | Hosted Joplin sync and plan-dependent cloud services. |
| Joplin Cloud Pro | €5.99 monthly; €57.48 yearly (€4.79/month annual equivalent) | 30 GB; 200 MB per note or attachment | Higher storage and file limit. |
| Joplin Cloud Pro 100 GB | €9.99 monthly; €95.88 yearly (€7.99/month annual equivalent) | 100 GB; 200 MB per note or attachment | Higher storage than Pro. |
| Joplin Cloud Teams | €7.99 per user monthly; €80.28 per user yearly (€6.69/month annual equivalent); minimum two users | 50 GB; 200 MB per note or attachment | Team-oriented sharing and collaboration. |
| Joplin Server Business | €40 per user/year for 2–10 users; €35 for 11–50; €30 for 51 or more | Not stated on the cited pricing page | Business server license; infrastructure and administration are additional. |
| Standard Notes Free | $0/year | Not stated on the cited plan comparison | Core encrypted notes and multi-device sync. |
| Standard Notes Productivity | $90/year | 25 GB listed for encrypted files | Extended editors, Super notes, encrypted files, note history, backups, and related features. |
| Standard Notes Professional | $120/year | 100 GB encrypted storage | Unlimited note history, sharing/collaboration, custom themes and editors, multiple vaults/workspaces, and premium support. |
Joplin’s application can be free while sync, storage, collaboration, or hosting still has a cost. Standard Notes has a free core plan, while its richer editors and file/history features are paid. Compare the plan you would actually use, including storage and hosting work, rather than treating “free app” and “free service” as interchangeable. Official details: Joplin plans and Standard Notes plans.
Quick Recap
Who should choose Joplin?
- You want notes stored locally and usable offline by default.
- You write Markdown-heavy documentation or want your notes readable in plain-text tools.
- You save articles and screenshots with a browser clipper.
- You organize research in notebooks and sub-notebooks, attach PDFs or media, and use to-dos.
- You want plugins, themes, or a choice among cloud, self-hosted, and local sync targets.
- You are comfortable configuring E2EE and protecting a non-recoverable master-key password.
- You are migrating from Evernote or another notebook app and can verify the conversion before retiring the original.
Who should choose Standard Notes?
- You want encrypted account sync without choosing a separate provider for ordinary use.
- You prefer a minimal writing experience for journaling, personal records, or sensitive plain-text notes.
- You need browser access as a regular part of your workflow.
- You value paid editors, note history, encrypted files, or multiple workspaces enough to justify an annual plan.
- You prefer a bundled service over assembling storage, sync, and editor tools yourself.
- You are prepared to administer a server if you choose its self-hosting option.
When neither is the right tool
- Real-time team documents: Their sharing features do not make either app a full collaborative office suite.
- Database-style project management or highly visual pages: Choose a tool built for relational databases, dashboards, or freeform page layouts.
- Graph-first knowledge management: If graph navigation and linked-file workflows are central, compare tools designed around those methods.
- Password storage: Neither note app is a replacement for a dedicated password manager. Keep account credentials and recovery codes in a purpose-built tool.
- Zero-configuration, zero-maintenance privacy: Every option still depends on device security, recovery practices, backup choices, and, for self-hosting, ongoing administration.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
