Joplin review

Joplin is the most direct path out of Evernote for people who care about privacy. Its documentation says it can import complete Evernote notebooks from ENEX files, including notes, tags, attachments and metadata such as author and location. The app is open source and stores notes in an open format, and end-to-end encryption protects synced notes. You can sync for free through services you already use, such as Dropbox or OneDrive, or pay for Joplin Cloud, which adds note publishing, notebook sharing, collaboration and Email to Note. Joplin Cloud Basic includes 2 GB of storage with a 10 MB limit per note or attachment, and Pro raises that to 30 GB and 200 MB. From our location the plans page showed prices only in euros, so the USD price is pending. Joplin runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, has a terminal app, and a web clipper for Chrome and Firefox. The interface is more utilitarian than Bear or Notion, and plugins do much of the heavy lifting.

Who it is for

privacy-minded users moving a full Evernote archive

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Imports complete Evernote notebooks with notes, tags, attachments and metadata from ENEX files
• End-to-end encryption for synced notes
• Sync through Joplin Cloud, Dropbox or OneDrive
• Web clipper for Chrome and Firefox
• Plugins, custom themes and Rich Text or Markdown editors

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Open source, with notes saved in an open format
• Strength: Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, plus a terminal app
• Strength: Joplin Cloud is based in France under EU privacy law
• Weakness: Joplin Cloud plans were shown only in euros from our location
• Weakness: Joplin Cloud Basic limits each note or attachment to 10 MB
• Weakness: Setting up sync with a third-party service takes more steps than a built-in account

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, the app is free and open source
• Joplin Cloud Basic: 2 GB storage, 10 MB per note or attachment
• Joplin Cloud Pro: 30 GB storage, 200 MB per note or attachment
• Evernote import: ENEX files, including tags and attachments

Where it ranks

Joplin is No. 6 in our Best Evernote Alternatives verdict.