Joplin is an open-source note-taking and task-management application for creating searchable Markdown notes, organizing notebooks, storing attachments, and synchronizing encrypted data across devices.
Joplin is an offline-first note-taking and task-management application that stores a complete working copy of the user's data on the local device. Notes can be written in Markdown, organized into notebooks, labeled with tags, converted into to-do items, and located through full-text search. Joplin supports images, audio, videos, PDF files, diagrams, mathematical expressions, and general file attachments within notes. Its desktop interface provides Markdown and rich-text editing options without requiring a continuous internet connection. Users can build personal knowledge collections, project records, research archives, checklists, or reference libraries while retaining direct control over the underlying note data.
Synchronization is optional and can use Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, Amazon S3, a local filesystem, or another compatible target. End-to-end encryption can protect synchronized notes, notebooks, tags, and attachments before they reach the remote storage provider. Readers considering network privacy alongside encrypted note synchronization can review ExpressVPN as a separate tool for protecting internet traffic. Joplin also imports ENEX, Markdown, HTML, and supported OneNote data, which helps users move existing collections into a structured local library. Desktop changes can synchronize automatically in the background, although attachment volume, provider limits, encryption processing, and network speed affect completion time.
The main benefit of Joplin is practical ownership of notes without making permanent internet access or one cloud provider essential to everyday work. Local storage keeps notebooks available during outages, travel, restricted connections, or synchronization failures, while configurable sync targets let users choose where remote copies reside. End-to-end encryption adds protection for synchronized content by encrypting data before upload and decrypting it on authorized devices. Markdown preserves a portable text-based writing format, and import and export tools reduce friction when moving information between applications. Search, notebooks, tags, attachments, and to-do controls bring research, planning, documentation, and personal records into one searchable workspace. Plugins and themes extend the desktop application for specialized workflows without changing its core note structure. Cross-platform clients help maintain the same collection on computers and mobile devices, while revision history can provide recovery options when content is edited accidentally. These controls make the application suitable for both simple note capture and long-term knowledge management.
The editor supports Markdown for structured text while displaying common formatting such as headings, emphasis, links, images, and lists. Users can work with plain-text syntax or a rich-text interface according to their preference. This format keeps written content readable and easier to transfer between compatible tools.
A complete copy of the note collection remains on the local device, allowing users to read, edit, organize, and search content without an active connection. Synchronization can resume later when connectivity returns. This design keeps essential records accessible during travel, outages, or problems with a remote storage provider.
Joplin can synchronize through its hosted cloud service or supported third-party targets such as Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, Amazon S3, and local filesystems. Background synchronization begins after local changes, while a manual command remains available. Users can select infrastructure that fits their storage and administration requirements.
Optional end-to-end encryption protects notes, notebooks, tags, and attached resources before synchronized data leaves an authorized device. Remote storage receives encrypted content rather than ordinary readable notes. Each configured client requires the correct encryption credentials, so users must preserve their passwords and encryption setup carefully.
Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox can save webpages, simplified articles, selections, URLs, and screenshots into the desktop note collection. Captured material becomes part of the normal notebook workflow, where it can be edited, tagged, searched, and synchronized. The desktop application's clipper service must be enabled for communication.
Notes can contain images, videos, audio, PDF documents, and other file attachments alongside written content. Full-text search locates indexed note text across notebooks, while supported optical character recognition can make text detected in selected images and PDF resources searchable. Processing availability depends on resource type and application configuration.
Import tools accept formats including ENEX, Markdown, HTML, and supported OneNote data, helping users migrate existing notebooks. Evernote imports can retain resources and available metadata while converting formatted content into the application's note structure. Export choices support backup, migration, archiving, or processing notes with other compatible software.
The desktop application supports installable plugins that can add editing tools, panels, commands, automation, or integrations. Themes adjust appearance without replacing the underlying note data. Joplin also provides development interfaces for creating custom extensions, giving technical users a documented path for adapting the workspace to specialized requirements.
Yes. The application is open source and distributed under the AGPL-3.0-or-later license. Optional hosted synchronization and collaboration services may require a paid plan, but the core application can work with local storage or supported external synchronization targets.
Yes. Its offline-first design stores notes locally, so users can create, edit, organize, and search them without a connection. Remote changes cannot synchronize until the device reconnects.
Supported targets include Joplin Cloud, Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, Amazon S3, and the local filesystem. Users should configure the same target and compatible encryption settings on every device that shares a notebook collection.
Yes. ENEX exports can be imported with formatted content converted into the destination note format. Available resources and metadata can also be transferred, although complex formatting may not reproduce perfectly.
Yes. Optional end-to-end encryption encrypts synchronized content on the device before upload. Every participating client must be configured with the correct master password and allowed to complete encryption and synchronization.
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