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 :)

  • paddumba@feddit.orgEnglish
    1·
    4 days ago

    Joplin - switched two weeks ago and I’m super happy. Open source, many extensions, sync via WebDAV, app for all systems,… Perfect system for me :).

    • PandaInSpace@kbin.earth
      0·
      3 days ago

      I forgot to mention your app, I use it on my phone. Pretty fast app.

      I was planning to add an issue - when the numbered list reaches 3 digits, it overflows to the next line. This was the reason I went back to Joplin. But I have high hopes for your app :)

      • Shady_Shiroe@lemmy.world
        2·
        1 day ago

        Thanks for letting me know.

        Also, I am just surprised people know about it, even if I mention it I honestly didn’t think anyone would try it. I want to make it much better but I lack the knowledge to make it as perfectly as I envision it, so they only thing I can do it learn and improve as I go.

        • PandaInSpace@kbin.earth
          1·
          19 hours ago

          Your app is really good, I use the android version. It has most features one expects. It loads really quickly compared to Joplin (ik Joplin has a lot of other features, plus I have a few plugins installed as well). I also really like the customization option - ability to create custom themes is awesome, I like creating custom themes if the apps provide the option.

          And the numbered list issue is present in almost all apps I tried, one dev told me its due to the editor they use. The only reason I stick with Joplin & markor is because they’re the only markdown based apps I found where numbered lists work.

          Thanks for making print notes!! And most importantly, don’t burn yourself out, take rest. I’m not a developer, I’ll assist with testing though

  • youmaynotknow@lemmy.ml
    0·
    3 days ago

    I get what you say about Obsidian just falling off of the face of the earth, but it is just that, markdown, so you can migrate it to any MD based notes app, like Joplin.

    Now, I don’t think those meet the nice UX requirement.

    • Father_Redbeard@lemmy.ml
      1·
      3 days ago

      Was going to say the same. Obsidian has very little proprietary stuff in it, other than maybe some plugins users may elect to use. Other than that, it’s just folders full of markdown files.

      • spikesforeyes@lemmy.mlEnglish
        1·
        2 days ago

        Even if it does “disappear”, you’d still be able to use it if you have it on your computer. And probably archive.org will have the binary saved.

  • PandaInSpace@kbin.earth
    0·
    4 days 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

    • kipo@lemm.eeEnglish
      1·
      3 days ago

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

    • Redkey@programming.dev
      1·
      3 days 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.

      • Yaky@slrpnk.net
        1·
        17 hours ago

        Xed editor comes close in terms of handling files-as-files, but I found it more cumbersome and buggy than Markor.