Trilium Notes
Free, open-source hierarchical notes for a personal knowledge base
What is Trilium Notes?
Trilium Notes is a free, open-source app for building a personal knowledge base out of notes arranged in a tree. It runs as a desktop app on Windows, macOS and Linux without an account, and an optional self-hosted server adds sync between devices and access from a browser. Notes can be rich text, Markdown, code, spreadsheets, diagrams or mind maps, and the app can be scripted in JavaScript.
Trilium Notes is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- People building a large personal knowledge base on a desktop computer
- Self-hosters who want sync on a server they control
- Tinkerers who want to script and extend their notes app
Worth knowing
- There is no official mobile app; phones reach a self-hosted server through the browser or an installed PWA.
- There is no official hosted version, so syncing devices means running your own server or paying a third-party host such as PikaPods.
- It is designed for a single user: real-time editing of the same notes by several people is not supported.
- Notes are kept in an SQLite database rather than plain-text files, and are not encrypted unless marked as protected.
Key features
- Hierarchical notes
- Notes nest inside other notes instead of folders, and a single note can appear in several places in the tree. Labels and relations add structure.
- Many note types
- Rich text, Markdown, code, spreadsheet, canvas, Mermaid diagram, mind map and file notes can be mixed freely in the same tree.
- Collections
- Display a group of notes as a calendar, table, kanban board, map, presentation or dashboard, and switch between layouts at any time.
- Sync through your own server
- A self-hosted server syncs notes across devices, gives access from a browser and can publish a subtree of notes as a read-only website.
- Scripting and REST API
- JavaScript runs in the app or on the server to add widgets and automate work, and a built-in REST API reads, creates and updates notes over HTTP.
- Protected notes and revisions
- Selected notes can be encrypted behind a password-protected session, and periodic background revisions let you review or undo changes.
Trilium Notes pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Entirely free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 license, with no paid tiers, accounts or feature paywalls. The project accepts donations.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Every feature of the desktop apps and the self-hosted server, including sync, scripting and the REST API. |
Read from triliumnotes.org on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Trilium Notes before you buy.
Works with
Trilium Notes alternatives
- Trilium Notes vs Obsidian
Free plan · from $4/mo
- Trilium Notes vs Joplin
Free plan · from €2.40/mo
- Trilium Notes vs Logseq
Free plan · from $5/mo
- Trilium Notes vs SiYuan
Free plan · from $64 one-time
Common questions
Is Trilium Notes free?
Yes. Trilium Notes is free to use. Entirely free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 license, with no paid tiers, accounts or feature paywalls. The project accepts donations.
How much does Trilium Notes cost?
Trilium Notes lists one plan. Free: $0. Prices were read from triliumnotes.org on Oct 5, 2026.
What platforms does Trilium Notes work on?
Trilium Notes is available on Windows, macOS, Linux and Web. It also has a browser extension.
Does Trilium Notes have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Trilium Notes is listed for Windows, macOS, Linux and Web.
Does Trilium Notes have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Trilium Notes is listed for Windows, macOS, Linux and Web.
Is Trilium Notes open source?
Yes. Trilium Notes is open source, according to its own site. It can also be run on a server of your own.
Does Trilium Notes work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Does Trilium Notes have an API?
Yes. Trilium Notes offers a public API, according to its own site.
What does Trilium Notes integrate with?
Trilium Notes's listing names OpenAI and Anthropic. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Trilium Notes?
Trilium Notes is made by Elian Doran and the community.
What are the alternatives to Trilium Notes?
The closest alternatives to Trilium Notes in our directory are Obsidian, Joplin, Logseq, SiYuan and TiddlyWiki. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Trilium Notes.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026.