Trilium Notes is an open-source knowledge-base app that can bring homelab documentation into one searchable place. Its hierarchy, labels, relations, workspaces, fuzzy title navigation and full-text search offer several ways to find notes later. You can use the desktop app locally and offline; syncing between clients is optional and requires a central server.
Why Trilium can fit homelab documentation
Homelab notes tend to mix different kinds of information: setup steps, service details, network references and troubleshooting records. Trilium’s official overview describes it as “an open-source solution for note-taking and organizing a personal knowledge base.” Its organization and search features make it a plausible fit for that mix, though the software’s capabilities alone cannot establish how well it fits any one person’s workflow.
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Search by title or content
Trilium supports fuzzy navigation by note title and full-text search. The official overview says full-text search can include text in images and PDFs through OCR, which may help when useful information is embedded in a scan or document rather than typed into a note.
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Organize notes in more than one way
Notes can sit in a hierarchy, and a note can appear in multiple places. Labels, relations and workspaces add other ways to group or connect information without relying on a single folder tree. For example, a service note could be placed in a server-related hierarchy while also being connected to other notes through labels or relations.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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Choose between local use and server synchronization
The main setup decision is whether you need notes to synchronize across clients. Trilium’s desktop client supports local, offline use. If you want synchronization across devices, the documented design uses a central sync/web server. The official FAQ says this is the only supported way to synchronize Trilium data across a network; it does not establish arbitrary shared-folder or file-sync methods as supported alternatives.
| Choice | What it enables | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Local desktop use | Note-taking on the desktop, including offline work | No sync server is needed if you only use the local client. |
| Central sync server | Synchronization across clients | Requires server setup and secure HTTPS access; operating the server is an ongoing responsibility. |
A small home server or mini PC could host the sync service, but it is optional—not a documented hardware requirement or a Trilium recommendation. The available documentation does not specify minimum hardware or identify a preferred host.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Plan mobile access and secure server access
Trilium’s official overview describes phone access to a synchronized instance through a progressive web app (PWA) and says there is no official mobile application. App availability can change, so check the current overview before relying on that distinction.
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One-click scans. No signup required.
If you set up synchronization, the official guide calls for HTTPS with a valid TLS certificate. A self-hosted server is not automatically secure or maintenance-free: secure configuration and operation remain the operator’s responsibility.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What the software costs and what is established
The official overview identifies Trilium Notes as free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 license, with no paid tiers, accounts or feature paywalls. That describes the application; it does not remove the work or possible costs involved in running a server for synchronization.
These are documented product capabilities, not evidence of a particular user’s migration experience, time saved or search results. Whether Trilium becomes a useful home for your notes depends on how you organize them and whether local-only access or server-based synchronization suits your setup.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
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