What is Joplin?

Updated

Joplin is an open-source note-taking application that stores your notes in an open format and syncs them across devices. It is a fit if you want to capture multimedia notes, keep control of your data, and access the same notes from a computer, phone, tablet, or terminal. It is not just a plain text editor: it supports images, videos, PDFs, audio, math expressions, diagrams, web clipping, plugins, and optional collaboration through Joplin Cloud.

What Joplin does

Joplin covers the core note-taking loop: capture, organize, sync, and access.

  • Multimedia notes: Images, videos, PDFs, and audio files are supported. You can create math expressions and diagrams directly in the app, and take photos with the mobile app to save them to a note.
  • Web clipping: A web clipper extension for Chrome and Firefox lets you save web pages or take screenshots as notes.
  • Customization: You can use plugins, custom themes, and multiple text editors (Rich Text or Markdown). There is also an Extension API for creating your own scripts and plugins.
  • Cross-device access: Notes sync through services including Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, and OneDrive. The app runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and a terminal app is also available.

How your data is handled

Joplin is open source, and notes are saved to an open format so you retain access to them. It uses end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to secure notes so that no one but you can access them. Joplin Cloud is based in France, which means data is protected by European Union privacy laws, and it also implements strong end-to-end encryption so that even the service provider cannot access your data.

When Joplin is a good fit

Joplin makes sense if you:

  • Want an open-source note app rather than a closed proprietary service.
  • Need notes with images, PDFs, audio, video, math, or diagrams.
  • Want to sync across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, or a terminal.
  • Care about end-to-end encryption and an open note format.
  • Want to extend the app with plugins, themes, or custom scripts.

It may be less suitable if you only need a simple browser-based notepad with no installation, or if you require a specific proprietary collaboration suite that Joplin does not integrate with.

Collaboration and sharing

With Joplin Cloud, you can share notes with friends, family, or colleagues and collaborate on them. You can also publish a note to the internet and share the URL with others. This makes Joplin Cloud the option to consider when note-taking needs to become shared work rather than personal storage.

Getting started

  1. Download the Joplin app for your platform from joplinapp.org.
  2. Create or import notes, and add multimedia content as needed.
  3. Choose a sync target such as Joplin Cloud, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
  4. Optionally install the web clipper in Chrome or Firefox to save pages and screenshots.
  5. If you need sharing or publishing, sign up for Joplin Cloud.

The main decision is not whether Joplin can take notes, but which sync and collaboration setup matches how you work. For personal, private, cross-platform notes, the free open-source app covers the basics. For shared notes and publishing, Joplin Cloud is the relevant option to evaluate.