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Apple Notes alternatives · Note-Taking

Self-hosted alternatives to Apple Notes

The Apple Notes listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 20 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

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

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

The 12 closest to Apple Notes

  1. Anytype

    Local-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes and data

    • Anytype starts at $4 per month, billed yearly ($5 billed monthly). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Anytype lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Anytype is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Anytype pricing and details

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Lockbook

    Open-source encrypted notes app with Markdown and drawing

    • Lockbook starts at $2.99 per month. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Lockbook lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Lockbook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Lockbook pricing and details

  7. SilverBullet

    Scriptable Markdown knowledge base, self-hosted or on desktop

    • SilverBullet starts at $50 per user / year (Desktop Pro, required for work use). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only SilverBullet lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Apple Notes lists an iOS app.
    • SilverBullet is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    SilverBullet pricing and details

  8. flatnotes

    Self-hosted notes web app on a flat folder of Markdown files

    • flatnotes is free. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Apple Notes lists iOS and macOS apps.
    • flatnotes is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • flatnotes also covers Markdown.
    flatnotes pricing and details

  9. Jotty

    Self-hosted notes and checklists stored as Markdown files

    • Jotty is free. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Apple Notes lists iOS and macOS apps.
    • Jotty is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Jotty also covers Markdown, tasks and kanban boards.
    Jotty pricing and details

  10. NoteDiscovery

    Self-hosted Markdown knowledge base that runs in the browser

    • NoteDiscovery is free. Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Apple Notes lists iOS and macOS apps.
    • NoteDiscovery is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • NoteDiscovery also covers Markdown and templates.
    NoteDiscovery pricing and details

  11. Joplin

    Open source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose

    • Joplin starts at 2.40€ per month, billed yearly at 28.69€ (Joplin Cloud Basic). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Joplin lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Joplin lists a browser extension.
    • Joplin is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Joplin pricing and details

  12. Standard Notes

    End-to-end encrypted notes app with open source clients

    • Standard Notes starts at $90 per year (Productivity). Apple Notes is free.
    • Only Standard Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Standard Notes lists a browser extension.
    • Standard Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Standard Notes pricing and details

8 more that can be self-hosted

All 20 in one table

Common questions

Is there a self-hosted alternative to Apple Notes?

Yes. Anytype, Notesnook, SiYuan, TiddlyWiki, Memos, Lockbook, SilverBullet, flatnotes and 12 more can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

Can Apple Notes be self-hosted?

The Apple Notes listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 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.