Hi. Basically, I’m asking for suggestions. Do you know any good note taking app that works on linux desktop? I’m looking for something that I can use instead of Notion or Obsidian, with some nice to have:

  • Open source (that’s the reason I’m not that much into Obsidian, it could disappear tomorrow and I could not replace it with a community maintained fork)
  • Markdown based. I’d like to know that I can replace that app for another one when I want, and that’s not possible when they use their own obscure format
  • Local. I’m not interested in paying monthly for cloud storage. And actually, I’d prefer to know for certain that nothing leaves my local machine
  • Nice UX. I know that using plain text files and vim might do the job, but I’d like something more user friendly and with nice features (Notion, for example, nails it in my opinion)
  • Bonus: Can also be used on android (I’m aware this is a though one, and is not a deal breaker)

I know that all those requirements are hard to fulfill and I don’t even know if something like that exists, so I’d appreciate any kind of suggestion. For example, It’d be great if an open source like that exists, but I’m not completely closed to open-source-ish proprietary apps (e.g. licenses not really open but close enough), as long as they are free to use and work on linux.

Edit: Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. The most suggested alternative was Joplin so I’ll give it a try. However, as most of you mentioned, at the core it’s all markdown so I could easily try the other alternatives with the same knowledge base at a later point :)

  • PandaInSpace@kbin.earth
    131·
    23 hours ago

    1. Joplin

    2. Beaver Notes. The android version is in early dev called Beaver pocket. Do note, it does not have folder/notebook feature afaik

    3. SiYuan. You can notes as Markdown files but their sync requires payment (I don’t know much about Siyuan’s pricing). I don’t use this as it has “AI”, it can be disabled but I didn’t need it in the first place.

    Joplin and Beaver Notes (soon) support syncing with syncthing and other similar options (Joplin also has it’s own paid cloud sync afaik)

    The rest are available on Linux, but if you export the notes, you can use Markor on Android

    1. Logseq Logseq has a learning curve, but it supports markdown. Your notes are scattered around, not notebook/folder like feature. They are also working on “AI”.

    2. MarkText

    3. mdSilo

    4. Inkdown

    5. Folio

    6. Iotas

    • Redkey@programming.dev
      3·
      18 hours ago

      Seconding Markor for Android. I originally installed it because I was sick of all the note-taking apps that store your notes away in hidden directories and proprietary formats. I’ve been using it for years and it’s not let me down yet.

    • unlimitedbacon@startrek.websiteEnglish
      4·
      22 hours ago

      SiYuan’s AI features only work if you have an OpenAI API key, or host your own LLM locally.

      They have their own sync service but also support self hosting WebDAV or S3 servers. Unfortunately, even self hosting requires a one time payment for the Pro version.

      Other than that, SiYuan is literally an open source Obsidian clone.

    • kipo@lemm.eeEnglish
      1·
      17 hours ago

      I second Joplin. I use it on Android and sync it locally (and only locally) with my Mac. It uses Markdown.