Best Open-Source Markdown & Note-Taking Apps
This ranking lists six open-source markdown and note-taking apps by GitHub star count, with AppFlowy leading at 73,341 stars. All tools prioritize local-first storage, offering options for private note management across major platforms. Licenses vary, including AGPL-3.0 and MIT, while version numbers indicate active development.
The selection spans lightweight markdown editors like MarkText to full knowledge-base systems like Logseq. Four apps support Linux, macOS, and Windows, while AppFlowy and Logseq also include Android compatibility. Version details range from stable releases like Joplin 3.6.15 to alpha builds such as Anytype 0.55.22.
| # | App | Stars | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AppFlowy | 73.7k | AGPL-3.0 |
| 2 | MarkText | 58.5k | MIT |
| 3 | Joplin | 55.5k | NOASSERTION |
| 4 | Logseq | 43.8k | AGPL-3.0 |
| 5 | Trilium Notes | 36.8k | AGPL-3.0 |
| 6 | Anytype | 8.4k | NOASSERTION |
AppFlowy is an open-source productivity tool designed as a collaborative workspace with AI integration. It functions as an alternative to Notion, combining projects, wikis, and team management while prioritizing user data control. The platform supports organization and workflow without proprietary lock-in.
MarkText is a straightforward markdown editor with a clean interface, compatible with Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports real-time preview and focuses on simplicity for writing in markdown.
Joplin is a privacy-focused note-taking application with synchronization capabilities. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Logseq is a privacy-focused, open-source knowledge management tool for organizing notes and collaborative work. It supports bidirectional linking and local-first data storage. The project roadmap and downloads are available on its official site.
Trilium Notes is an open-source tool for creating and organizing a personal knowledge base. It helps users structure and manage notes in a hierarchical format.
Anytype is an official client available for MacOS, Linux, and Windows, designed to enhance productivity. It provides a unified platform for managing tasks and organizing information efficiently.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the top pick in “Best Open-Source Markdown & Note-Taking Apps”?
- AppFlowy currently leads this list, which is ordered by GitHub stars among the 6 open-source options we track.
- Are these apps free?
- Yes. Every app on this list is free and open-source. Download links point to each project's official release.
- How is this ranking decided?
- The order reflects GitHub stars, a public measure of popularity. Data is pulled from official sources and last refreshed on Jul 6, 2026. We don't accept payment for placement.
How we rank:entries are ordered by GitHub stars, a public popularity signal. Versions, licenses and platform support are read from official release feeds. We don't accept payment for inclusion or position. Supported platforms reflect the latest release (Linux, macOS, Android, Windows).