Skip to content
ToolGPA

Alternatives · Note-Taking

VNote alternatives

VNote compared with 6 alternatives: QOwnNotes, Joplin, Obsidian, Zim, CherryTree and 1 more.

VNote is free to use. All 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

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

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
VNoteThis toolFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
QOwnNotesFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux, Android, Browser extension
JoplinFree plan · from €2.40/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
ObsidianFree plan · from $4/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
ZimFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
CherryTreeFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
MarknoteFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux

How each one differs from VNote

  1. QOwnNotes

    Open-source Markdown notes app with Nextcloud and ownCloud support

    • QOwnNotes is free. VNote is free.
    • Only QOwnNotes lists an Android app.
    • Only QOwnNotes lists a browser extension.
    • QOwnNotes also covers linked notes and web clipper.
    • VNote also covers templates and mind mapping.

    Suits: Nextcloud or ownCloud users who want a desktop Markdown notes app

    QOwnNotes vs VNoteQOwnNotes pricing and details

  2. 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). VNote is free.
    • Only Joplin lists a web app.
    • Only Joplin lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Joplin lists a browser extension.
    • Joplin is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.

    Suits: People who want open source notes synced through their own storage

    Joplin vs VNoteJoplin pricing and details

  3. 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). VNote is free.
    • Only Obsidian lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    • Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • VNote is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: People who want their notes as plain Markdown files they control

    Obsidian vs VNoteObsidian pricing and details

  4. Zim

    Desktop wiki that keeps linked pages as plain text files

    • Zim is free. VNote is free.
    • Zim also covers linked notes, wiki, daily notes and tasks.
    • VNote also covers Markdown, templates and mind mapping.

    Suits: A personal wiki or scratch book kept as files on your own disk

    Zim vs VNoteZim pricing and details

  5. CherryTree

    Hierarchical desktop notes with rich text and code highlighting

    • CherryTree is free. VNote is free.
    • VNote also covers Markdown, templates and mind mapping.

    Suits: Keeping structured notes and code snippets in one local file

    CherryTree vs VNoteCherryTree pricing and details

  6. Marknote

    KDE's rich text note-taking app that saves notes as Markdown files

    • Marknote is free. VNote is free.
    • Marknote also covers linked notes.
    • VNote also covers templates and mind mapping.

    Suits: Linux and KDE Plasma users who want a simple notes app

    Marknote vs VNoteMarknote pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in VNote

  • Desktop only: packages exist for Windows, Linux and macOS, and the docs list no iOS, Android or web version.
  • The docs say VNote is for single-user note-taking, with no real-time collaboration and no managed, account-based cloud service.
  • VNote does not update itself. It only checks for a newer release, and each new version is downloaded and installed by hand.
  • Tags, attachments, the recycle bin and Git sync work only in bundled notebooks, not in raw notebooks that browse an existing folder.
VNote pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to VNote?

The alternatives to VNote in this directory are QOwnNotes, Joplin, Obsidian, Zim, CherryTree and Marknote. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with VNote.

Is there a free alternative to VNote?

Yes. QOwnNotes, Zim, CherryTree and Marknote are free to use. Joplin and Obsidian have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which VNote alternatives work on Android?

The VNote listing does not include an Android app. QOwnNotes, Joplin and Obsidian list one.

Which VNote alternatives work on iOS?

The VNote listing does not include an iOS app. Joplin and Obsidian list one.

When were these prices checked?

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

Keep reading

  • +2
    Alternatives

    The best Evernote alternatives in 2026

    Six Evernote alternatives for people who have run into its limits: 50 notes on the Free plan, 1,000 on Starter and no Linux app. Each pick says who it suits, what it costs and where it stops.

    6 tools · Updated October 2026

  • +3
    Alternatives

    The best Notion alternatives in 2026

    Seven Notion alternatives matched to the reasons people leave: AI that needs the Business plan, a free plan that tightens once a second member joins and no Linux desktop app. Each pick says who it suits and what it costs.

    7 tools · Updated October 2026

  • +3
    Alternatives

    The best Obsidian alternatives in 2026

    Seven Obsidian alternatives for people who want a web app, sync without a paid add-on or more structure than a set of Markdown files. Each pick says who it suits, what it costs and where it stops.

    7 tools · Updated October 2026