In today’s fast-paced digital world, keeping track of your thoughts, ideas, and tasks is more important than ever. Note-taking apps have become essential tools for students, professionals, and teams alike. While many paid options are available, open-source apps stand out for their flexibility, transparency, and cost-effectiveness.

Whether you’re a non-technical business owner looking for simplicity or a software engineer seeking highly customizable tools, there’s an open-source note-taking app that fits your needs. In this article, we’ll explore the best options for 2025, moving from beginner-friendly solutions to more advanced tools.

Quick Overview: Best Open Source Note-Taking Apps in 2025

1. Joplin – Powerful, secure, and completely free.
2. Notally – Minimalistic and open source.
3. Standard Notes – Privacy-focused and encrypted.
4. Obsidian – Markdown-based, perfect for knowledge management.
5. Zim Wiki – Wiki-style organization for structured note-taking.
6. Trilium Notes – Hierarchical notes for advanced users.
7. Turtl – Encrypted notes for privacy enthusiasts.
8. Logseq – Open-source for task and knowledge management.
9. Boost Note – Collaborative and developer-focused.
10. FocusBox – AI-powered, perfect for productivity.

Why Choose Open Source for Note-Taking?

Open-source software offers unparalleled benefits:

• Transparency: With source code available, you can verify the app’s security.
• Customization: Tailor features to your needs, especially useful for technical users.
• Cost: Most open-source apps are free, making them budget-friendly.
• Community Support: Benefit from active user communities for troubleshooting and improvements.

Whether you’re prioritizing privacy, customization, or collaboration, there’s an open-source app for you.

The Best Open Source Note-Taking Apps in 2025

1. Joplin

Category: Comprehensive Note-Taking

Joplin is a top-tier open-source note-taking app with powerful features. It supports Markdown, offers end-to-end encryption, and syncs across devices.

• Key Features: Markdown editor, encrypted syncing, offline support.
• Best For: Professionals and students needing secure, organized notes.

2. Notally

Category: Minimalist Note-Taking

Notally is a simple yet effective app for users who prefer a distraction-free interface. Its lightweight design is perfect for quick notes.

• Key Features: Clean UI, offline-first, dark mode.
• Best For: Minimalists and mobile users.

3. Standard Notes

Category: Privacy-First Notes

Standard Notes is a secure app designed for those who prioritize privacy. It includes end-to-end encryption and a variety of extensions.

• Key Features: Encrypted notes, cloud syncing, robust extensions.
• Best For: Privacy-conscious individuals.

4. Obsidian

Category: Knowledge Management

Obsidian uses Markdown to organize your thoughts into a network of interconnected notes, perfect for developers or knowledge workers.

• Key Features: Graph view, backlinking, custom plugins.
• Best For: Knowledge workers and researchers.

5. Zim Wiki

Category: Structured Notes

Zim Wiki organizes notes in a wiki-style format, making it ideal for creating structured, interlinked content.

• Key Features: Wiki-style navigation, text formatting, cross-platform.
• Best For: Technical users and project planners.

6. Trilium Notes

Category: Advanced Hierarchical Notes

Trilium is perfect for power users who need structured, hierarchical notes with advanced tagging and linking capabilities.

• Key Features: Tree-structured organization, rich text editing, cross-device sync.
• Best For: Advanced users and developers.

7. Turtl

Category: Encrypted Notes

Turtl focuses on keeping your data safe with strong encryption. Its interface is user-friendly, and it works well for storing sensitive information.

• Key Features: End-to-end encryption, tags, shareable workspaces.
• Best For: Privacy enthusiasts.

8. Logseq

Category: Task and Knowledge Management

Logseq is an open-source, privacy-first app combining note-taking and task management. Its outliner-style design is popular among students and professionals.

• Key Features: Outliner format, backlinks, graph view.
• Best For: Students and professionals looking for integrated knowledge management.

9. Boost Note

Category: Developer-Focused Notes

Boost Note is geared toward developers, offering collaborative features and syntax highlighting for code snippets.

• Key Features: Real-time collaboration, Markdown support, integrations.
• Best For: Developer teams.

10. FocusBox

Category: AI-Powered Productivity

FocusBox is an AI-powered note-taking tool that helps users stay productive. Its features include task management, ambient sound options, and customizable templates.

• Key Features: AI task management, background customization, ambient sounds.
• Best For: Productivity enthusiasts and team collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free AI note-taker?

FocusBox and other tools like Notion AI offer excellent AI-driven note-taking features, with free tiers available.

What is the best free note-taking app?

Joplin and Obsidian are great free options for comprehensive and feature-rich note-taking.

Is Joplin completely free?

Yes, Joplin is entirely free and open-source, with no hidden costs.

Is Notally open source?

Yes, Notally is an open-source project with a focus on minimalism.

Can ChatGPT take notes?

ChatGPT can assist in summarizing or generating notes but isn’t a standalone note-taking app.

Is Notion AI completely free?

Notion AI requires a subscription, but basic Notion features are free.

Is Note GPT good?

Note GPT provides AI-powered insights but lacks the customization of open-source alternatives.

Is there a free AI I can use?

Yes, tools like FocusBox and some features of Notion AI offer free AI capabilities.

Is Freenotes completely free?

Freenotes is free for basic use but may have premium tiers for advanced features.

Conclusion

Selecting the right note-taking app depends on your priorities, whether it’s privacy, simplicity, or collaboration. Open-source tools like Joplin, Notally, and Obsidian offer robust features at no cost, making them perfect for a wide range of users.

With platforms like FocusBox, you can easily import templates, customize tasks with AI, and adjust settings like ambient sound and background visuals to create your ideal workspace.

Tags: open-source note-taking apps, best note-taking software 2025, productivity tools for professionals

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You said:

remove all links besides focusbox

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Here’s the updated article with all links removed except for FocusBox:

Best Open Source Note-Taking Apps in 2025

In today’s fast-paced digital world, keeping track of your thoughts, ideas, and tasks is more important than ever. Note-taking apps have become essential tools for students, professionals, and teams alike. While many paid options are available, open-source apps stand out for their flexibility, transparency, and cost-effectiveness.

Whether you’re a non-technical business owner looking for simplicity or a software engineer seeking highly customizable tools, there’s an open-source note-taking app that fits your needs. In this article, we’ll explore the best options for 2025, moving from beginner-friendly solutions to more advanced tools.

Quick Overview: Best Open Source Note-Taking Apps in 2025

1. Joplin – Powerful, secure, and completely free.
2. Notally – Minimalistic and open source.
3. Standard Notes – Privacy-focused and encrypted.
4. Obsidian – Markdown-based, perfect for knowledge management.
5. Zim Wiki – Wiki-style organization for structured note-taking.
6. Trilium Notes – Hierarchical notes for advanced users.
7. Turtl – Encrypted notes for privacy enthusiasts.
8. Logseq – Open-source for task and knowledge management.
9. Boost Note – Collaborative and developer-focused.
10. FocusBox – AI-powered, perfect for productivity.

Why Choose Open Source for Note-Taking?

Open-source software offers unparalleled benefits:

• Transparency: With source code available, you can verify the app’s security.
• Customization: Tailor features to your needs, especially useful for technical users.
• Cost: Most open-source apps are free, making them budget-friendly.
• Community Support: Benefit from active user communities for troubleshooting and improvements.

Whether you’re prioritizing privacy, customization, or collaboration, there’s an open-source app for you.

The Best Open Source Note-Taking Apps in 2025

1. Joplin

Category: Comprehensive Note-Taking

Joplin is a top-tier open-source note-taking app with powerful features. It supports Markdown, offers end-to-end encryption, and syncs across devices.

• Key Features: Markdown editor, encrypted syncing, offline support.
• Best For: Professionals and students needing secure, organized notes.

2. Notally

Category: Minimalist Note-Taking

Notally is a simple yet effective app for users who prefer a distraction-free interface. Its lightweight design is perfect for quick notes.

• Key Features: Clean UI, offline-first, dark mode.
• Best For: Minimalists and mobile users.

3. Standard Notes

Category: Privacy-First Notes

Standard Notes is a secure app designed for those who prioritize privacy. It includes end-to-end encryption and a variety of extensions.

• Key Features: Encrypted notes, cloud syncing, robust extensions.
• Best For: Privacy-conscious individuals.

4. Obsidian

Category: Knowledge Management

Obsidian uses Markdown to organize your thoughts into a network of interconnected notes, perfect for developers or knowledge workers.

• Key Features: Graph view, backlinking, custom plugins.
• Best For: Knowledge workers and researchers.

5. Zim Wiki

Category: Structured Notes

Zim Wiki organizes notes in a wiki-style format, making it ideal for creating structured, interlinked content.

• Key Features: Wiki-style navigation, text formatting, cross-platform.
• Best For: Technical users and project planners.

6. Trilium Notes

Category: Advanced Hierarchical Notes

Trilium is perfect for power users who need structured, hierarchical notes with advanced tagging and linking capabilities.

• Key Features: Tree-structured organization, rich text editing, cross-device sync.
• Best For: Advanced users and developers.

7. Turtl

Category: Encrypted Notes

Turtl focuses on keeping your data safe with strong encryption. Its interface is user-friendly, and it works well for storing sensitive information.

• Key Features: End-to-end encryption, tags, shareable workspaces.
• Best For: Privacy enthusiasts.

8. Logseq

Category: Task and Knowledge Management

Logseq is an open-source, privacy-first app combining note-taking and task management. Its outliner-style design is popular among students and professionals.

• Key Features: Outliner format, backlinks, graph view.
• Best For: Students and professionals looking for integrated knowledge management.

9. Boost Note

Category: Developer-Focused Notes

Boost Note is geared toward developers, offering collaborative features and syntax highlighting for code snippets.

• Key Features: Real-time collaboration, Markdown support, integrations.
• Best For: Developer teams.

10. FocusBox

Category: AI-Powered Productivity

FocusBox is an AI-powered note-taking tool that helps users stay productive. Its features include task management, ambient sound options, and customizable templates.

• Key Features: AI task management, background customization, ambient sounds.
• Best For: Productivity enthusiasts and team collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free AI note-taker?

FocusBox and other tools like Notion AI offer excellent AI-driven note-taking features, with free tiers available.

What is the best free note-taking app?

Joplin and Obsidian are great free options for comprehensive and feature-rich note-taking.

Is Joplin completely free?

Yes, Joplin is entirely free and open-source, with no hidden costs.

Is Notally open source?

Yes, Notally is an open-source project with a focus on minimalism.

Can ChatGPT take notes?

ChatGPT can assist in summarizing or generating notes but isn’t a standalone note-taking app.

Is Notion AI completely free?

Notion AI requires a subscription, but basic Notion features are free.

Is Note GPT good?

Note GPT provides AI-powered insights but lacks the customization of open-source alternatives.

Is there a free AI I can use?

Yes, tools like FocusBox and some features of Notion AI offer free AI capabilities.

Is Freenotes completely free?

Freenotes is free for basic use but may have premium tiers for advanced features.

Conclusion

Selecting the right note-taking app depends on your priorities, whether it’s privacy, simplicity, or collaboration. Open-source tools like Joplin, Notally, and Obsidian offer robust features at no cost, making them perfect for a wide range of users.

With platforms like FocusBox, you can easily import templates, customize tasks with AI, and adjust settings like ambient sound and background visuals to create your ideal workspace.

best note-taking software open-source note-taking apps productivity tools for professionals