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Joplin vs Notion (2026)

By Noahlast updated

Verdict: Choose Joplin if you want fully open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes synced to a storage backend you control. Choose Notion if you want a flexible, block-based workspace combining docs, wikis, and lightweight project tracking for a team. The deciding factor is privacy and ownership versus collaborative flexibility: Joplin's MIT-licensed, self-hostable-sync model means no company can read your notes, but its interface lags Notion's polish, while Notion's relational databases and real-time collaboration come from a closed-source, freemium platform that gets sluggish on large workspaces.

Joplin

Open-source, end-to-end encrypted note-taking app for people who want to own their notes.

Pricing
Free tier · paid from $3.23/mo
License
Open core

Best for People who want an offline-first, end-to-end encrypted Markdown note app with a free self-hosted sync option and no vendor lock-in.

Visit joplinapp.orgRead our review

Notion

An all-in-one workspace for docs, wikis, projects, and databases, with built-in AI search and agents.

Pricing
Free tier · paid from $10/mo
License
Freemium

Best for Teams that want to consolidate scattered docs, wikis, and lightweight project trackers into one linked workspace, and are willing to spend time designing their own database structure.

Visit notion.comRead our review

Which should you choose?

Choose Joplin if…

wins 4/6 use cases

  • You want your notes end-to-end encrypted, syncing to a backend you choose (Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, S3)
  • You value fully open-source software (MIT license) over a polished UI
  • You're migrating from Evernote and want a tool with good Evernote import support
  • You want the lowest-cost paid tier, starting at $2.99/month for Joplin Cloud Basic

Choose Notion if…

wins 2/6 use cases

  • You need real-time collaboration with a team on shared docs, wikis, and databases
  • You want relational databases with rollups and multiple views embedded directly in pages
  • You want a generous free tier for personal use without needing to self-manage a sync backend
  • You're building a company knowledge base or lightweight project tracker, not just personal notes
  • You want a more polished, modern interface even at the cost of closed-source software

Joplin vs Notion: feature comparison

FeatureJoplinNotion
Starting priceYesfree, self-hostedYesfree plan
Free tierYesself-hosted, unlimited durationYesFree plan, unlimited duration
Cheapest paid tierYesfrom $2.99/mo (Joplin Cloud Basic)Yesfrom $10/mo (Plus)
PlatformsYesWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidYesweb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Hosting / licenseYesfully open source (MIT), self-hostable to any backendNoclosed-source, cloud-only
End-to-end encryptionYesE2E-encrypted sync to your own backendNonot named in the data
Relational databasesNoflat Markdown notes and notebooksYesdatabases with relations, rollups, and multiple views
Real-time collaborationNono built-in real-time collaborationYescore to Notion's workspace model
Project tracking / lightweight PMNonote-and-to-do focused, not a project trackerYeslight project boards built on databases
Self-hosted sync backend choiceYesJoplin Cloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, S3NoNotion's own cloud only
UI polishNoreviewers describe interface as datedYesmodern, flexible block editor
Offline reliabilityYesfull offline access, syncs when reconnectedNoreviewers describe offline mode as unreliable
Learning curveYeslowPartialmoderate
External ratingYes4.5/5 from 90 reviews (Capterra)Yes4.7/5 from 6,100 reviews (G2)
GitHub starsYes46,000 stars (laurent22/joplin)Unknownnot open source

Joplin vs Notion: pricing

Every tier both tools publish, as we last checked them — not just the entry price.

Joplin

  • Core app (self-hosted sync)Free desktop, mobile, and terminal apps; sync via Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, Nextcloud, or a self-hosted Joplin Server.Free
  • Joplin Cloud Basic2.99 EUR/month billed monthly (2.40 EUR/month, 28.69 EUR/year if billed annually). 10 MB max attachment size, 2 GB storage, note publishing, unlimited device sync, Joplin Cloud AI (beta). No notebook sharing or email-to-note.$3.23/mo
  • Joplin Cloud Pro5.99 EUR/month billed monthly (4.79 EUR/month, 57.48 EUR/year if billed annually). 200 MB max attachment size, 30 GB storage, adds notebook sharing, email-to-note, and publishing banner customization.$6.47/mo
  • Joplin Cloud Pro 100 GB9.99 EUR/month billed monthly (7.99 EUR/month, 95.88 EUR/year if billed annually). Same features as Pro but with 100 GB storage instead of 30 GB.$10.79/mo
  • Joplin Cloud Teams7.99 EUR/user/month billed monthly (6.69 EUR/user/month, 80.28 EUR/user/year if billed annually), minimum 2 users. 50 GB storage, adds multi-user management, consolidated billing, and share permissions.$8.63/mo
  • Joplin Server BusinessSelf-hosted, per-user pricing billed annually: 3.33 EUR/user/month for 2-10 users, 2.92 EUR/user/month for 11-50 users, 2.50 EUR/user/month for 51+ users. Unlimited attachment size and storage; no Joplin Web App or Joplin Cloud AI.Custom
Verified September 15, 2026Latest pricing

Notion

  • FreeFor individuals organizing personal projects; limited blocks for multi-member workspaces, files capped at 5MB, 7-day page history, trial AI.Free
  • PlusPer member/month, billed monthly (cheaper billed yearly); unlimited blocks, unlimited file uploads, custom forms and sites, 30-day page history.$10/mo
  • BusinessPer member/month; adds Notion Agent, AI Meeting Notes, Enterprise Search (beta), SAML SSO, private teamspaces, granular database permissions, 90-day page history.$20/mo
  • EnterpriseCustom pricing; adds zero data retention with LLM providers, SCIM provisioning, advanced security controls, audit log, unlimited page history, dedicated customer success manager.Custom
Verified September 15, 2026Latest pricing

Which is easier to use, Joplin or Notion?

Joplin is easier to use for straightforward note-taking, with a low learning curve, versus Notion's moderate learning curve for its more flexible block-based system.

Joplin's Markdown notebook model is close to traditional note apps and requires little setup beyond choosing a sync backend, earning it a low learning-curve rating. Notion's block editor and relational databases are more powerful but take longer to structure well, and reviewers note it's easy to over-engineer a workspace, which is reflected in its moderate learning-curve rating.

Joplin vs Notion pricing: which costs less?

Joplin costs less at every comparable tier, starting at $2.99/month for Joplin Cloud Basic against Notion's $10/month Plus plan, and Joplin can run entirely free if self-hosted.

Joplin's self-hosted option costs nothing beyond the storage backend a user already owns (Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, S3), and its own cloud sync starts at $2.99/month for Basic and $5.99/month for Pro. Notion's Free plan covers personal use, but its Plus plan is $10/month and Business is $20/month for team features. Both offer usable free tiers, but Joplin's lower paid pricing and self-hosting option make it the cheaper choice for cost-sensitive users.

Which offers better team collaboration, Joplin or Notion?

Notion offers better team collaboration, with real-time editing and relational databases built into its workspace model, while Joplin has no built-in real-time collaboration.

Can Notion replace Joplin?

Yes for most note-taking needs plus added collaboration and databases, but Notion has no equivalent to Joplin's end-to-end encryption or choice of self-hosted sync backend.

Notion's block editor covers everything from simple notes to structured databases, and its free tier and real-time collaboration exceed what Joplin offers a team. Users who specifically need Joplin's privacy model — encrypted notes synced to a backend the user controls, with fully open-source (MIT) code — will not find that in Notion, which is closed-source and stores data only on Notion's own servers.

Strengths and weaknesses

Joplin

Pros

  • Fully open-source core app under a permissive license, with source code on GitHub
  • Notes stored as local Markdown files with attachments, avoiding proprietary lock-in
  • End-to-end encryption supported on all sync backends, including free ones like Dropbox and WebDAV
  • Extensible via a plugin API, custom themes, and both Markdown and Rich Text editors
  • Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and as a terminal app

Cons

  • No free tier for the official Joplin Cloud sync service; cheapest paid plan is 2.99 EUR/month billed monthly
  • Basic Joplin Cloud plan caps attachments at 10 MB and storage at 2 GB, well below Pro's 30 GB
  • Notebook sharing and email-to-note require the Pro tier or higher, not included in Basic
  • UI and mobile clipper are less refined than commercial alternatives like Notion or Evernote

Notion

Pros

  • Single tool covers docs, wikis, databases, and basic project tracking, reducing tool-switching
  • Free plan supports unlimited pages and blocks for solo use, with only multi-member workspaces hitting block limits
  • Deep customization through nested pages, linked databases, and templates
  • Public API, webhooks, and 1-way database syncs (Jira, GitHub, Asana) for connecting external tools

Cons

  • Per-member pricing on paid tiers ($10-$20/month) gets expensive fast for larger teams compared to flat-fee tools
  • Offline support is limited to recently viewed or favorited pages on paid plans rather than full offline access
  • Flexible block-and-database model has a steep learning curve for teams used to fixed-structure apps
  • Meaningful AI features (Notion Agent, Enterprise Search, AI Meeting Notes) require the $20/month Business plan or higher

Which fits your use case?

Use casePickWhy
Privacy-focused individual who wants encrypted notes on their own storage backendJoplinJoplin's end-to-end encryption over a backend of your choice (Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, S3) is a capability Notion doesn't offer.
Team building a shared company knowledge base with real-time editingNotionNotion's real-time collaboration and relational databases are built for exactly this; Joplin has no built-in collaboration.
Developer who values open-source software and wants to audit the codeJoplinJoplin is fully open source under the MIT license with 46,000 GitHub stars; Notion is closed-source.
User migrating from Evernote who wants a straightforward importJoplinJoplin is specifically noted for good Evernote import support.
Team wanting lightweight project tracking alongside docs and wikisNotionNotion's databases support light project boards with multiple views; Joplin is focused on notes and to-dos, not project tracking.
Budget-conscious user who wants to avoid any paid subscriptionJoplinJoplin can run entirely free when self-hosted to a backend you already pay for, while Notion's team features require the $10-20/month paid tiers.

Neither a match?

Both lists carry verified pricing and honest weaknesses for every option.

4 alternatives to Joplin6 alternatives to Notion

Joplin vs Notion: migration FAQ

Should I use Joplin or Notion?

Use Joplin if you want open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes on your own storage backend; use Notion if you want a flexible team workspace with real-time collaboration and databases.

Is Joplin cheaper than Notion?

Yes — Joplin's paid cloud tier starts at $2.99/month versus Notion's $10/month Plus plan, and Joplin can run entirely free when self-hosted.

Can Notion replace Joplin?

Yes for most note-taking and team collaboration needs, but Notion has no equivalent to Joplin's end-to-end encryption or open-source, self-hosted sync model.

Is there a free version of Joplin?

Yes — Joplin is free and open source when self-hosted to a backend of your choice, with paid Joplin Cloud plans starting at $2.99/month as an optional convenience.

Does Notion have offline support like Joplin?

Not reliably — reviewers describe Notion's offline mode as unreliable, while Joplin is built around full offline access with sync only when reconnected.