Currently I’m using Joplin with Syncthing-backed file system synchronization. I’m pretty pleased with it, as I do like tagging- and Markdown-based systems.
I plan to upgrade to server-based synchronization, but before doing that, however, I wanted to see what other people are using.
Edit: So far I see a slight favor towards Joplin and Logseq, but I totally didn’t expect (and appreciate) getting so many different answers.
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Logseq, it’s a lot like Obsidian as it also has knowledge graphs, tags, is markdown-based and self-hostable but, in contrast to Obsidian, it’s fully open source
Logseq user here too.
However, for a quick, transitory note, I use Kate or, more recently, Xpad. Only then I transcribe the content to Logseq. Why?
Because while Logseq is great as an outliner and for network thinking, it’s as graceful and agile as an elephant.
The gist of what I’m saying is: for now, and for me (hardware might be playing a role here, but I don’t think so) Logseq is a good note database. For quick typing, I have to use something else.
Much prefer Logseq as well.
I am currently on Obsidian without any sync at all. Using this in both desktop and mobile.
But used it more in mobile for an offline note-taking app where I could write and read them without any internet connection. Especially to load images from local, make categorization (folders) and more with data I had in my mobile.
While for desktop, I rarely opened it anymore. I am more into VIM with markdown format and then just push it to git host for a quicker note taking.
OneNote. Don’t love being super reliant on all the Microsoft Office cloud stuff but there really isn’t anything that comes close to what I use it for
Yeah, I know this is the self hosted community, but nothing is as easy and straightforward as OneNote. I keep coming back to it after trying self hosted solutions.
What do you use it for? If you don’t mind me asking. I tried a few times to like it before I started my selfhost/open source journey earlier this year and couldn’t click with it. But curious what it does that you haven’t found an alternative for.
Not the same person but a couple of the reasons I can’t get away from it are:
-ability to “print” a pdf in to it and directly markup the pages without having to open the actual file in another application (it also runs OCR on the pages so they remain searchable)
-you can also “print” PowerPoint presentations in a similar way
-it handles inking with a pen super well
I have lots of academic papers and presentations that I routinely reference for my job so these are killer features for me
Yep, those are features I wouldn’t use. Sounds like the ideal situation, thanks for sharing!
Removed by mod
I use it for a mix of text, handwriting/drawing, PDF annotation and image annotation, and I also pretty heavily rely on realtime sync between my devices. If none of that is stuff you use then I can see why you might want something simpler
Yeah, handwriting can be added to Obsidian, but it’s a bit hacky and I don’t use it. As far as instant sync, it is solid, but expensive. Some folks use Syncthing but I couldn’t get it to work reliably so I but the bullet and paid for Obsidian Sync.
I’d like to highly recommend QOwnNotes with. File system sync like Nextcloud. Superb.
I used this for a bit. I’m on obsidian now.
Emacs + org-mode for task planning and knowledge base, Obsidian + Syncthing for notes on-the-go.
Holy crap I didn’t know Syncthing existed and just realized it’s perfect for my use case (taking D&D notes and keeping them on multiple devices). Thanks for the useful comment!
You are welcome! :)
Chiming in with my org mode setup as well:
- Keep notes on my NAS
- Mount NFS share with notes on desktop and edit with Emacs
- Create a WebDAV share of the notes (so shared both using nfs and webdav). Use the Android “Orgzly Revived” app from F-droid and log into the webdav share
I used to use Syncthing to avoid having both NFS and Webdav but it didnt sync
A nice grid lined notebook and a mechanical pencil is still my favorite.
I like to use Google Keep for certain things, but I have a hard time explaining how those things are better for Google Keep.
I’m looking at giving Neorg a try.
A nice grid lined notebook and a mechanical pencil is still my favorite.
If only my default font wasn’t so bad that it causes data loss.
I also really liked Google Keep. Carnet was at one point a decent drop-in replacement on Android+Nextcloud, but it got progressively bitrotted over time and now I just use Nextcloud Notes until I find something better.
Ever try Quillpad? I don’t love that it’s sync is stuck on Nextcloud, but it’s the best feature for feature keep replacement that I could find.
Logseq with Syncthing!
Love the journal style to it
Testing this out now.
Me too. Something about the bullet point style of note taking just clicked in me, and now I can’t go back.
I use Obsidian - it’s phenomenal! https://avidandrew.com/elevate-your-note-taking-with-obsidian.html
I find Joplin perfect for my needs. Markdown, embedding images, links etc. I sync to my selfhosted nextcloud.
I like tags, I would like them to add a “directory tree” type of view to help sort “folders” (the thing they call “notebooks”) but only because I am more used to just filesystem type structured filing. But the notebooks and tagging idea works for me too.
I strictly use it for notes/note keeping, in particular “HOWTO’s” and specific topic notes. So I dont even do a great deal of markdown in my notes, but I love the ability to add screen captures etc to them for clarity.
And being on nextcloud, I can access those notes anywhere on any device, PC, Android, Raspberry Pi!! Joplin has an app for all of them
I still use Keep. That have yet to fuck it up, but I’m sure they will eventually. Just like every god damn thing they do.
VSCode + Foam + gitea (+ hexcalidraw if you want to draw)
OneNote was my favorite until it started crashing on my iPad every 3 minutes.
I’m using trilium and very happy with it.
QOwnNotes (had to look up the exact name as it’s the stupidest app name ever). but compared to joplin it’s lighter, faster, simpler (no database but individual .md files and folders) and works well enough with syncthing.
Works well with nextcloud also.
For long-term, permanent notes, I’m using Obsidian with Nextcloud and FolderSync Pro (which I also use for backing up some Android stuff to my Nextcloud).
For quick, easy notes while on the go (or that I need quick access to while out and about), I use Memos, which is more of a Google Keep replacement.
