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Zim alternatives · Note-Taking

Self-hosted alternatives to Zim

The Zim listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 20 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

Zim is free to use. All of them are free or have a free plan.

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

The 12 closest to Zim

  1. 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.
    TiddlyWiki vs ZimTiddlyWiki pricing and details

  2. SiYuan

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

    • SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). Zim is free.
    • Only SiYuan lists a web app.
    • Only SiYuan lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only SiYuan lists a browser extension.
    SiYuan pricing and details

  3. SilverBullet

    Scriptable Markdown knowledge base, self-hosted or on desktop

    • SilverBullet starts at $50 per user / year (Desktop Pro, required for work use). Zim is free.
    • Only SilverBullet lists a web app.
    • SilverBullet is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • SilverBullet also covers Markdown.
    SilverBullet pricing and details

  4. Jotty

    Self-hosted notes and checklists stored as Markdown files

    • Jotty is free. Zim is free.
    • Only Jotty lists a web app.
    • Only Zim lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Jotty is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Jotty pricing and details

  5. Notesnook

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

    • Notesnook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Essential). Zim is free.
    • Only Notesnook lists a web app.
    • Only Notesnook lists Android and iOS apps.
    • Only Notesnook lists a browser extension.
    Notesnook pricing and details

  6. Memos

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

    • Memos is free. Zim is free.
    • Only Memos lists a web app.
    • Only Memos lists a browser extension.
    • Only Zim lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    Memos pricing and details

  7. FUTO Notes

    Local-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync

    • FUTO Notes is free. Zim is free.
    • Only FUTO Notes lists iOS and Android apps.
    • FUTO Notes is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • FUTO Notes also covers Markdown.
    FUTO Notes pricing and details

  8. Linwood Butterfly

    Open-source handwriting and sketching app with an infinite canvas

    • Linwood Butterfly is free. Zim is free.
    • Only Linwood Butterfly lists a web app.
    • Only Linwood Butterfly lists an Android app.
    • Linwood Butterfly is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Linwood Butterfly pricing and details

  9. flatnotes

    Self-hosted notes web app on a flat folder of Markdown files

    • flatnotes is free. Zim is free.
    • Only flatnotes lists a web app.
    • Only Zim lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • flatnotes is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    flatnotes pricing and details

  10. NoteDiscovery

    Self-hosted Markdown knowledge base that runs in the browser

    • NoteDiscovery is free. Zim is free.
    • Only NoteDiscovery lists a web app.
    • Only Zim lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • NoteDiscovery is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    NoteDiscovery pricing and details

  11. Anytype

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

    • Anytype starts at $4 per month, billed yearly ($5 billed monthly). Zim is free.
    • Only Anytype lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Anytype is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    • Zim is open source, according to its own site.
    Anytype pricing and details

  12. 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). Zim is free.
    • Only Joplin lists a web app.
    • Only Joplin lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Joplin lists a browser extension.
    Joplin pricing and details

8 more that can be self-hosted

All 20 in one table

Common questions

Is there a self-hosted alternative to Zim?

Yes. TiddlyWiki, SiYuan, SilverBullet, Jotty, Notesnook, Memos, FUTO Notes, Linwood Butterfly and 12 more can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

Can Zim be self-hosted?

The Zim listing does not say it can be self-hosted. The listing was checked on Oct 9, 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 Zim: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.