That syncs notes from your phone to your computer
Well, I’ve settled for Joplin with their sync server running on Tailscale/Headscale, I like it a lot (except for the search which is atrocious in general and on mobile especially).
Are the notes stored in plain text files or in a database? Is it possible / easy to edit the notes with an external program?
They’re stored in a database, which is why I prefer Obsidian instead.
Obsidian isn’t foss unfortunately
But silverbullet.md IS foss. Very similar to Obsidian, but F/OSS. It also stores your files in .md files in a directory hierarchy on the file system - very easy to backup.
But at least not US made, it’s Canadian.
You can do both iirc
Its in a database, but you can have it dump a backup as plain text, though that may require a plug in.
Actually it may be an option. I use Onedrive as the backend for sync on mine, with encryption, and I beleive its all individual notes, (all encryoted).
+1 for Joplin, you can sync with self hosted stuff too:

I should check Joplin again against Obsidian. Just browsed their website and it’s a bit sad to see their sponsors mostly doing shady stuff. Buying TikTok likes or getting help writing essays for university aren’t quite the fields i would have liked to be associated with as a product
I use joplin with nextcloud.
Joplin is solid and gets the job done. I was fine with it as a OneNote alternative but once I tried out Obsidian I understood immediately what all the hype is about Obsidian. Using links instead of the standard folder structure is much more intuitive and functional for me. I highly recommend Obsidian even though it isn’t FOSS, since they have a pretty good ethos on not being locked into specific apps, and all the notes are stored in text files so you could easily migrate in the future if you change your mind about Obsidian or if they as a company do something questionable.
I’ve heard of Logseq as a FOSS alternative to Obsidian and would consider looking into that too.
I have tried to go from Joplin to Obsidian several times because Obsidian seems way more expandable with plug ins etc, and everytime I hate it and go back within a day.
Which is also notable a bit because moving all my notes between the two is a huge chore.
I just hate the Obsidian interface a lot.
Silverbullet.md is an actual open source note taking application, Obsidian is not (and they’re kind of slimy/evasive about it). I haven’t used Obsidian myself but a coworker was showing it to me when I was talking about Silverbullet - they’re similar.
i use Joplin via nextcloud. It can also use Dropbox.
i also agree with another poster, search kinda sucks
I am all in on Logseq. Takes a bit of getting used to, but it regularly saves my butt.
Yep, me too.
When I stepped into my current job Logseq literally saved me from going mad / burnout.
A few years in though and the (lack of) Todo management is causing me trouble as the tasks still slip through my fingers…
Joplin
If you want cross platform, Joplin might be best option right now. But I am keeping an eye on Beaver Notes.
I like AnyType Its like Notion but Open Source, E2EE, P2P & Local first.
Logseq is also pretty cool. FOSS Alternative to Obsidian.
It you want very simple notes like Google Keep and you are into Selfhosting checkout Anchor (https://github.com/ZhFahim/anchor)
P2p? N00b here, why does a notes app need peers, ELI5?
It you decide you dont want their Servers for sync, your Devices will sync to each other directly peer to peer :)
AnyType seems like a fun app, although its Amplitude tracker is a bit less desirable. Thanks for the recommendations!
Emacs.
Fancy meeting you here brother. Ready for our next battle?
– VIM, in a snowy field, dressed in medieval knight armour, clutching a sword and a half broken shield, with the bodies of both Emacs’ and VIM’s comrades in arms strewn about
No need to fight, go evil
There’s Anytype, which is similar to Notion.
You can set it up to sync over lan only, with your own server, or with their servers. It’s E2E encryption
Anytype isn’t ‘open source’.
Pretty sure it is
Look at the license file. They are using their own custom license. Being made available on github doesn’t make it is open source. Anytype could be considered ‘source available’.
(I specified this just because OP asked for open source. I contribute sometimes to foss apps, and it bothers me that the term foss get misinterpreted. It’s not you, even most companies don’t know the right terms to be considered foss. If you look up anytype on wayback machine, they used to proudly claim they were foss lol)
Nextcloud Notes covers all my needs.
I used this too. Saves as a .md file which is synced to all my devices.
Joplin.
I also endorse Notesnook. Setting up your own server is fussy, but it works great.
Neutrinote is solid.
Definitely got that pre-Android 6.0 vibe.
vim












