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Apple Notes alternatives · Note-Taking

Open-source alternatives to Apple Notes

Apple Notes is not described as open source on its own site. 50 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

Apple Notes is free to use. All of them are free or have a free plan.

50 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to Apple Notes

  1. Simplenote

    Free plain-text notes that sync across every major platform

    • Simplenote is free. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
    • Simplenote also covers Markdown.
    Simplenote vs Apple NotesSimplenote pricing and details

  2. Zavala

    Free open-source outliner for Mac, iPhone and iPad

    • Zavala is free. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Zavala is open source, according to its own site.
    • Zavala also covers web clipper.
    Zavala pricing and details

  3. Logseq

    Open-source outliner for linked notes stored as local files

    • Logseq starts at $5 per month for Open Collective backers, which unlocks Logseq Sync. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Logseq lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Logseq is open source, according to its own site.
    • Logseq also covers Markdown, whiteboard and daily notes.
    Logseq pricing and details

  4. Reflect

    Open-source daily notes app with backlinks and local Markdown

    • Reflect starts at $9.99 per month, or $99 per year, for the iPhone and iPad app. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Reflect lists a browser extension.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Reflect is open source, according to its own site.
    Reflect pricing and details

  5. Notesnook

    Open source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform

    • Notesnook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Essential). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Notesnook lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Notesnook lists a browser extension.
    • Notesnook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Notesnook pricing and details

  6. SiYuan

    Open-source, local-first notes built on linked content blocks

    • SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only SiYuan lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only SiYuan lists a browser extension.
    • SiYuan is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    SiYuan pricing and details

  7. TiddlyWiki

    Open-source personal wiki kept in a single HTML file

    • TiddlyWiki is free. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only TiddlyWiki lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Apple Notes lists an iOS app.
    • TiddlyWiki is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    TiddlyWiki pricing and details

  8. Memos

    Open-source, self-hosted timeline of short Markdown notes

    • Memos is free. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Memos lists a browser extension.
    • Only Apple Notes lists iOS and macOS apps.
    • Memos is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Memos pricing and details

  9. Tolaria

    Free, open-source desktop app for Markdown knowledge bases

    • Tolaria is free. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Tolaria lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Notes lists an iOS app.
    Tolaria pricing and details

  10. Tangent Notes

    Open-source Markdown notes app that maps the path between notes

    • Tangent Notes is free. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Tangent Notes lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Notes lists an iOS app.
    Tangent Notes pricing and details

  11. Beaver Notes

    Open-source, local-first Markdown notes app for desktop

    • Beaver Notes is free. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Beaver Notes lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Only Apple Notes lists an iOS app.
    Beaver Notes pricing and details

  12. Cryptee

    Encrypted documents, notes and photo storage from Estonia

    • Cryptee starts at €3 per month (10 GB). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Apple Notes lists iOS and macOS apps.
    • Cryptee is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Cryptee also covers Markdown and documents.
    Cryptee pricing and details

38 more that are open source

All 50 in one table

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to Apple Notes?

Yes. Simplenote, Zavala, Logseq, Reflect, Notesnook, SiYuan, TiddlyWiki, Memos and 42 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is Apple Notes open source?

Apple Notes is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Apple Notes: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.