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ColorNote alternatives · Note-Taking

Open-source alternatives to ColorNote

ColorNote 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.

ColorNote has a free plan. Paid plans start at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown). 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 ColorNote

  1. Simplenote

    Free plain-text notes that sync across every major platform

    • Simplenote is free. ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    • Only Simplenote lists iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
    Simplenote vs ColorNoteSimplenote pricing and details

  2. Fossify Notes

    Open-source Android notes and checklists with no account

    • Fossify Notes is free. ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • Fossify Notes is open source, according to its own site.
    • ColorNote also covers linked notes and calendar.
    Fossify Notes vs ColorNoteFossify Notes pricing and details

  3. NotallyX

    Minimal open-source Android app for notes and task lists

    • NotallyX is free. ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • NotallyX is open source, according to its own site.
    • ColorNote also covers linked notes and calendar.
    NotallyX vs ColorNoteNotallyX pricing and details

  4. Notenik

    Free Mac notes app with Markdown, custom fields and outlining

    • Notenik is free. ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • Only Notenik lists a macOS app.
    • Only ColorNote lists an Android app.
    • Notenik is open source, according to its own site.
    Notenik pricing and details

  5. Jotty

    Self-hosted notes and checklists stored as Markdown files

    • Jotty is free. ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • Only Jotty lists a web app.
    • Only ColorNote lists an Android app.
    • Jotty is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Jotty pricing and details

  6. Zim

    Desktop wiki that keeps linked pages as plain text files

    • Zim is free. ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • Only Zim lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only ColorNote lists an Android app.
    • Zim is open source, according to its own site.
    Zim pricing and details

  7. 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. ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • Only Logseq lists a web app.
    • Only Logseq lists macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS apps.
    • Logseq is open source, according to its own site.
    Logseq pricing and details

  8. 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. ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • Only Reflect lists macOS and iOS apps.
    • Only Reflect lists a browser extension.
    • Only ColorNote lists an Android app.
    Reflect pricing and details

  9. Notesnook

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

    • Notesnook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Essential). ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • Only Notesnook lists a web app.
    • Only Notesnook lists Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS apps.
    • Only Notesnook lists a browser extension.
    Notesnook pricing and details

  10. SiYuan

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

    • SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • Only SiYuan lists a web app.
    • Only SiYuan lists Windows, macOS, Linux and iOS apps.
    • Only SiYuan lists a browser extension.
    SiYuan pricing and details

  11. TiddlyWiki

    Open-source personal wiki kept in a single HTML file

    • TiddlyWiki is free. ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • Only TiddlyWiki lists a web app.
    • Only TiddlyWiki lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only ColorNote lists an Android app.
    TiddlyWiki pricing and details

  12. Memos

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

    • Memos is free. ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown).
    • Only Memos lists a web app.
    • Only Memos lists a browser extension.
    • Only ColorNote lists an Android app.
    Memos pricing and details

38 more that are open source

All 50 in one table

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to ColorNote?

Yes. Simplenote, Fossify Notes, NotallyX, Notenik, Jotty, Zim, Logseq, Reflect and 42 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is ColorNote open source?

ColorNote is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 6, 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 ColorNote: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.