Best free alternatives to OneNote, Evernote, and Obsidian Sync

A notes app becomes difficult to leave when years of notebooks, attachments, tags, and reminders are trapped inside it. OneNote is tied closely to Microsoft accounts, Evernote reserves many conveniences for paid plans, and Obsidian's official Sync service is a separate subscription. Free alternatives exist, but their synchronization models differ more than their editors.

This guide focuses on four actively maintained choices: Joplin, Notesnook, Logseq, and TriliumNext. All can be used without a recurring software fee, but only some provide a hosted sync service for free.

Quick comparison

1. Notesnook—easiest free encrypted sync

Notesnook is open source and built around end-to-end encryption. Its free plan currently allows unlimited notes and devices, with synchronization included. The allowance for new attachments is limited, so it works best for text-heavy notebooks rather than a document archive full of large scans and recordings.

The service encrypts notes on the device before sending them to its servers. This protects privacy, but it also means that losing both the password and recovery key can make the notes unrecoverable. Create the recovery material, store it safely, and keep exports.

Pros

• hosted sync works without configuring another cloud;
• unlimited notes and devices on the free plan;
• end-to-end encryption is enabled for all plans;
• web, desktop, Android, and iOS clients;
• imports from Evernote, Google Keep, Obsidian, Joplin, and common file formats.

Cons

• free attachment storage and individual file size are limited;
• some editor and convenience features require a paid plan;
• account recovery requires careful handling of the recovery key.

2. Joplin—best balance of control and compatibility

Joplin is a free, open-source, offline-first notebook and to-do app. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and includes browser clippers for Chrome and Firefox. Notes use Markdown internally and can contain images and attachments.

Joplin's strength is storage choice. It can synchronize through Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, WebDAV, S3, a local filesystem, a self-hosted Joplin Server, or the paid Joplin Cloud service. End-to-end encryption is optional and works with these sync targets.

Joplin can import Evernote ENEX exports, including formatted content, attachments, and much of the metadata. That makes it the safest first test for a large Evernote migration. One limitation matters on phones: the official documentation notes that mobile synchronization does not continue after the app is closed.

Pros

• mature cross-platform apps and offline access;
• many free synchronization targets;
• optional end-to-end encryption;
• strong Evernote import and standard export options;
• plugins, themes, tags, notebooks, tasks, and web clipping.

Cons

• the initial sync of a large import can take time;
• encryption setup must be completed carefully, one device at a time;
• mobile background-sync behavior is less seamless than some cloud-first apps.

3. Logseq—best for linked outlines

Logseq is an open-source, local-first outliner. Instead of starting with folders and pages, many users begin in a daily journal and write indented blocks. Backlinks, tags, queries, and a graph connect those blocks into a personal knowledge base.

Logseq is a better replacement for Obsidian or Roam-style linked thinking than for handwritten OneNote pages. Local storage avoids a mandatory account, but reliable multi-device synchronization is a separate decision. Before placing the graph inside any third-party sync folder, check Logseq's current guidance and keep versioned backups; simultaneous edits can cause conflicts.

Pros

• free, open source, and local first;
• excellent daily journal, outline, backlinks, and queries;
• plain-text-oriented workflow reduces lock-in;
• desktop and mobile apps.

Cons

• the block-outliner model is unfamiliar to conventional notebook users;
• free sync requires a separate storage or synchronization method;
• not intended to reproduce OneNote's free-form ink canvas.

4. TriliumNext—best advanced personal knowledge base

TriliumNext Notes is an open-source hierarchical knowledge base. It supports rich notes, relationships, attributes, code notes, diagrams, scripting, and a web clipper. A local desktop installation works offline; synchronization between computers uses a Trilium server that you operate.

This is the most technical option in the comparison. The server can provide browser access and automatic synchronization, but it must be exposed securely over HTTPS and maintained. Trilium's mobile interface is browser-based and has fewer features than the desktop application, so phone-first note takers should start with Notesnook or Joplin.

Pros

• deep hierarchy and powerful knowledge-management features;
• local desktop use works without an account;
• self-hosted synchronization and web access;
• useful for technical documentation and large personal archives.

Cons

• multi-device sync requires running a server;
• mobile web interface is limited compared with native apps;
• more complex than a normal digital notebook.

What does “free sync” actually mean?

• Hosted for you: Notesnook includes encrypted synchronization on its free plan. This is the least work.
• Use storage you already have: Joplin connects directly to services such as OneDrive, Dropbox, Nextcloud, and WebDAV. Their own storage limits still apply.
• Synchronize a local folder: tools such as Syncthing can copy files between devices, but conflicts and mobile platform restrictions are your responsibility.
• Run a server: TriliumNext and self-hosted Joplin offer the most control, with the maintenance and security work of any server.

Migration checklist

1. Export from the old app before changing or cancelling anything.
2. Test one notebook containing text, images, attachments, tags, links, and checklists.
3. Compare the result on both desktop and phone.
4. Configure synchronization on the first device and let it finish before connecting more devices.
5. Export once from the new app to confirm that you can leave it later.
6. Keep the original export until the new system has been used and backed up successfully.

For a normal notebook with effortless encrypted sync, start with Notesnook. For the strongest combination of migration, offline use, and storage choice, start with Joplin. Logseq and TriliumNext are excellent tools, but their structure and synchronization reward users willing to learn a different workflow.

For collaborative pages and databases rather than personal notes, see our separate guide to free Notion alternatives.