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Roam Research alternatives · Note-Taking

End-to-end encrypted alternatives to Roam Research

The Roam Research 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.

Roam Research is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month). 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 Roam Research

  1. 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). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Obsidian has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Obsidian lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    Obsidian vs Roam ResearchObsidian 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). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Notesnook has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Notesnook lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Notesnook lists a browser extension.
    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). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • SiYuan has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only SiYuan lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only SiYuan lists a browser extension.
    SiYuan pricing and details

  4. Cryptee

    Encrypted documents, notes and photo storage from Estonia

    • Cryptee starts at €3 per month (10 GB). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Cryptee has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Roam Research lists macOS and iOS apps.
    • Cryptee is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Cryptee pricing and details

  5. Anytype

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

    • Anytype starts at $4 per month, billed yearly ($5 billed monthly). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Anytype has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Anytype lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Roam Research lists a web app.
    Anytype pricing and details

  6. 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). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Joplin has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Joplin lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Joplin lists a browser extension.
    Joplin pricing and details

  7. Standard Notes

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

    • Standard Notes starts at $90 per year (Productivity). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Standard Notes has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Standard Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Standard Notes lists a browser extension.
    Standard Notes pricing and details

  8. Inkdrop

    Markdown note app for developers with encrypted sync

    • Inkdrop starts at $8.31 per month, billed annually ($99.80 per year). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Only Inkdrop lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Inkdrop lists a browser extension.
    • Only Roam Research lists a web app.
    Inkdrop pricing and details

  9. Lockbook

    Open-source encrypted notes app with Markdown and drawing

    • Lockbook starts at $2.99 per month. Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Lockbook has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Lockbook lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Roam Research lists a web app.
    Lockbook pricing and details

  10. 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). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • Mimiri Notes has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Mimiri Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Mimiri Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Mimiri Notes pricing and details

  11. FUTO Notes

    Local-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync

    • FUTO Notes is free. Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • FUTO Notes has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only FUTO Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Roam Research lists a web app.
    FUTO Notes pricing and details

  12. DeepNotes

    End-to-end encrypted infinite canvas for nested notes

    • DeepNotes starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly ($47.88). Roam Research starts at $15 per month, or $165 per year ($13.75 a month).
    • DeepNotes has a free plan. Roam Research does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only DeepNotes lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Roam Research lists an iOS app.
    DeepNotes pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Roam Research?

Yes. Obsidian, Notesnook, SiYuan, Cryptee, Anytype, Joplin, Standard Notes, Inkdrop and 4 more are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.

Is Roam Research end-to-end encrypted?

The Roam Research listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. The listing was checked on Oct 4, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these note-taking apps are free?

Obsidian, Notesnook, SiYuan, Cryptee, Anytype, Joplin, Standard Notes, Lockbook 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 Roam Research: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.