Best Open-Source Markdown & Note-Taking Apps
This ranking highlights six open-source markdown and note-taking apps, ordered by GitHub stars. The top entry, AppFlowy, leads with 72,957 stars and supports Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Other notable options include MarkText (57,856 stars) and Joplin (55,352 stars), both offering cross-platform compatibility. Licenses vary, with AGPL-3.0 and MIT being common.
All apps prioritize local-first or private note-taking, catering to users who value data control. Trilium Notes (36,590 stars) and Logseq (43,559 stars) provide structured knowledge management, while Anytype (8,297 stars) remains in alpha. Each tool serves distinct workflows without cloud dependencies.
| # | App | Stars | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AppFlowy | 73.0k | AGPL-3.0 |
| 2 | MarkText | 57.9k | MIT |
| 3 | Joplin | 55.4k | NOASSERTION |
| 4 | Logseq | 43.6k | AGPL-3.0 |
| 5 | Trilium Notes | 36.6k | AGPL-3.0 |
| 6 | Anytype | 8.3k | 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 Jun 26, 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 (Android, Linux, macOS, Windows).