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Alternatives · Note-Taking

Zim alternatives

Zim compared with 9 alternatives: CherryTree, TiddlyWiki, QOwnNotes, Obsidian, KeyNote NF and 4 more.

Zim is free to use. All 9 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

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

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
ZimThis toolFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
CherryTreeFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
TiddlyWikiFreeFreeWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux
QOwnNotesFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux, Android, Browser extension
ObsidianFree plan · from $4/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension
KeyNote NFFreeFreeWindows
MarknoteFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
MindForgerFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
NoteCase ProFree plan · from $5 one-timeYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, Android
VNoteFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux

How each one differs from Zim

  1. CherryTree

    Hierarchical desktop notes with rich text and code highlighting

    • CherryTree is free. Zim is free.
    • Zim also covers linked notes, wiki, daily notes and tasks.

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

    CherryTree vs ZimCherryTree pricing and details

  2. TiddlyWiki

    Open-source personal wiki kept in a single HTML file

    • TiddlyWiki is free. Zim is free.
    • Only TiddlyWiki lists a web app.
    • TiddlyWiki is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Zim also covers daily notes and tasks.

    Suits: People who want their notes in a file they fully control

    TiddlyWiki vs ZimTiddlyWiki pricing and details

  3. QOwnNotes

    Open-source Markdown notes app with Nextcloud and ownCloud support

    • QOwnNotes is free. Zim is free.
    • Only QOwnNotes lists an Android app.
    • Only QOwnNotes lists a browser extension.
    • QOwnNotes also covers Markdown and web clipper.
    • Zim also covers wiki, daily notes and tasks.

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

    QOwnNotes vs ZimQOwnNotes pricing and details

  4. 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). Zim 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.
    • Zim is open source, according to its own site.

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

    Obsidian vs ZimObsidian pricing and details

  5. KeyNote NF

    Open-source tabbed notebook for Windows with tree notes

    • KeyNote NF is free. Zim is free.
    • Only Zim lists macOS and Linux apps.
    • Zim also covers linked notes, wiki, daily notes and tasks.

    Suits: Windows users who want a free, open-source tree notebook

    KeyNote NF vs ZimKeyNote NF pricing and details

  6. Marknote

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

    • Marknote is free. Zim is free.
    • Marknote also covers Markdown.
    • Zim also covers wiki, daily notes and tasks.

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

    Marknote vs ZimMarknote pricing and details

  7. MindForger

    Open-source Markdown notebook that links related notes for you

    • MindForger is free. Zim is free.
    • MindForger also covers Markdown.
    • Zim also covers wiki, daily notes and tasks.

    Suits: People who keep private notes as Markdown files on their own disk

    MindForger vs ZimMindForger pricing and details

  8. NoteCase Pro

    Cross-platform outliner and note manager with Lua scripting

    • NoteCase Pro starts at $5 one-time for Android; desktop licenses start at €7 one-time. Zim is free.
    • Only NoteCase Pro lists an Android app.
    • NoteCase Pro can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Zim is open source, according to its own site.
    • NoteCase Pro also covers templates.

    Suits: People who want one outliner on Windows, macOS and Linux

    NoteCase Pro vs ZimNoteCase Pro pricing and details

  9. VNote

    Free desktop Markdown note-taking app with plain-file notebooks

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

    Suits: People who want Markdown notes as plain files with no account

    VNote vs ZimVNote pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Zim

  • Notebooks have no built-in encryption or password protection; the FAQ points to an outside tool such as encfs.
  • Zim is written as a single-user program, so shared notebooks rely on a version control system to merge changes.
  • The download page covers Linux, BSD, Windows and macOS only, and syncing means copying the notebook folder with a service such as Dropbox.
  • The Windows installer supports 64-bit systems only, and the macOS app supports macOS Big Sur through Sequoia.
Zim pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Zim?

The alternatives to Zim in this directory are CherryTree, TiddlyWiki, QOwnNotes, Obsidian, KeyNote NF, Marknote, MindForger, NoteCase Pro and VNote. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Zim.

Is there a free alternative to Zim?

Yes. CherryTree, TiddlyWiki, QOwnNotes, KeyNote NF, Marknote, MindForger and VNote are free to use. Obsidian and NoteCase Pro have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Zim alternatives work on Android?

The Zim listing does not include an Android app. QOwnNotes, Obsidian and NoteCase Pro list one.

Which Zim alternatives work on iOS?

The Zim listing does not include an iOS app. Obsidian lists 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.

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