Skip to content
SourceTier

Note-taking apps.
Choose what fits.

Your notes should be easy to capture, find and take with you. Try a small collection before moving years of work.

Explore documented productsYour buying checklist
  1. Set your priorities
  2. Compare the evidence
  3. Try your workflow

How do you use your notes?

01Everyday capture

Create a quick note on your phone, add an attachment and find it from your computer. Check the steps when you are offline.

02Research and writing

Try links, tags and a long document. Export the result and inspect formatting, attachments and cross-references.

03A personal knowledge library

Check where files live and how you back them up. Separate local storage, sync and publishing in your budget.

Build your shortlist

Browse the category

A focused selection, ordered by documented guide criteria. Features may depend on the plan; open the evidence for scope. Missing data is a research gap, not a missing feature.

Joplin

Joplin

Offline note editing
Yes Verified Source · Checked
Scope and evidence

Joplin keeps notes on the phone or computer and documents an offline-first workflow. Synchronising changes between devices still needs a connection.

Data export
Yes Verified Source · Checked
Scope and evidence

JEX export preserves notes and metadata for re-import into Joplin. Other documented formats include HTML and PDF; their preservation properties differ.

Free tier
Yes Verified Source · Checked
Scope and evidence

The Joplin note-taking application is free. Hosted Joplin Cloud is a separate offering; this statement does not describe a free cloud subscription.

2 more documented criteria
Mobile app (iOS or Android)
Yes Verified Source · Checked
Scope and evidence

The application is available on Android and iOS, as well as Windows, Linux and macOS.

Public API
Yes Verified Source · Checked
Scope and evidence

The local Data API exposes notes, notebooks and tags when the clipper server is running, using an authentication token. This is a desktop-local API, not an unrestricted hosted service.

All documented facts

Dynalist Inc.

Obsidian

Offline note editing
Yes Verified Source · Checked
Scope and evidence

Obsidian stores notes on the local device and documents offline access. Access to synced updates from another device requires a connection.

Free tier
Yes Verified Source · Checked
Scope and evidence

Obsidian is free for personal, commercial and non-profit use. Supporter licences are optional; Sync and Publish are separate services.

Mobile app (iOS or Android)
Yes Verified Source · Checked
Scope and evidence

Obsidian Mobile is available on iOS and Android. Cross-device sync is a separate choice from installing the mobile application.

All documented facts

See more products in this category

Your buying checklist

Four checks before you commit

Use this as a working checklist. Checkmarks are not saved.

Common questions

Should I use plain text or a proprietary format?

Choose the features your work needs, then test the exit path. Plain text can simplify access outside the app; a richer format needs an export that preserves the parts you rely on.

What is the difference between offline notes and offline sync?

Offline notes remain usable without a connection. Sync still needs a connection to move changes between devices. Test both local editing and the later merge of changes.

Work through the trade-offs

Ready to evaluate your shortlist?

Test the same tasks in each product, then compare the full cost.

Build your evaluation scorecardCompare software costs

Keep exploring

All guides