Goodnotes alternatives · Note-Taking
End-to-end encrypted alternatives to Goodnotes
The Goodnotes listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. 12 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.
Goodnotes has a free plan. Paid plans start at $11.99 per year (Essential). 11 of them are free or have a free plan.
12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
How each one differs from Goodnotes
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Obsidian
Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device
- Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Only Obsidian lists a Linux app.
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Anytype
Local-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes and data
- Anytype starts at $4 per month, billed yearly ($5 billed monthly). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Only Anytype lists a Linux app.
- Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
- Anytype is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free trial · from $8.31/mo
Inkdrop
Markdown note app for developers with encrypted sync
- Inkdrop starts at $8.31 per month, billed annually ($99.80 per year). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Goodnotes has a free plan. Inkdrop does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Inkdrop lists a Linux app.
- Only Inkdrop lists a browser extension.
- Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Lockbook
Open-source encrypted notes app with Markdown and drawing
- Lockbook starts at $2.99 per month. Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Only Lockbook lists a Linux app.
- Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
- Lockbook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $3.99/mo
DeepNotes
End-to-end encrypted infinite canvas for nested notes
- DeepNotes starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly ($47.88). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Only DeepNotes lists a Linux app.
- Only Goodnotes lists iOS and Android apps.
- DeepNotes is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from €2.40/mo
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). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Only Joplin lists a Linux app.
- Only Joplin lists a browser extension.
- Joplin is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $90/yr
Standard Notes
End-to-end encrypted notes app with open source clients
- Standard Notes starts at $90 per year (Productivity). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Only Standard Notes lists a Linux app.
- Only Standard Notes lists a browser extension.
- Standard Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from €3/mo
Cryptee
Encrypted documents, notes and photo storage from Estonia
- Cryptee starts at €3 per month (10 GB). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Only Goodnotes lists iOS, macOS, Android and Windows apps.
- Cryptee is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Goodnotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free plan · from $1.20/mo
Mimiri Notes
End-to-end encrypted notes in a tree, with encrypted sharing
- Mimiri Notes starts at $1.20 per month, or $12 per year (Tier 1). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Only Mimiri Notes lists a Linux app.
- Mimiri Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Goodnotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free
FUTO Notes
Local-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync
- FUTO Notes is free. Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Only FUTO Notes lists a Linux app.
- Only Goodnotes lists a web app.
- FUTO Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Notesnook
Open source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform
- Notesnook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Essential). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Only Notesnook lists a Linux app.
- Only Notesnook lists a browser extension.
- Notesnook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $64 one-time
SiYuan
Open-source, local-first notes built on linked content blocks
- SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). Goodnotes starts at $11.99 per year (Essential).
- Only SiYuan lists a Linux app.
- Only SiYuan lists a browser extension.
- SiYuan is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Common questions
Is there an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Goodnotes?
Yes. Obsidian, Anytype, Inkdrop, Lockbook, DeepNotes, Joplin, Standard Notes, Cryptee and 4 more are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.
Is Goodnotes end-to-end encrypted?
The Goodnotes listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.
Which of these note-taking apps are free?
Obsidian, Anytype, Lockbook, DeepNotes, Joplin, Standard Notes, Cryptee, Mimiri Notes and 3 more are free or have a free plan.
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 Goodnotes: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.