Obsidian
Freeby Obsidian
Linked note-taking over plain Markdown files you own.
- Plain Markdown files stored locally
- Bidirectional links and graph view
- Large community plugin ecosystem
2 Best Free Alternatives to Evernote
Evernote is paid software from Bending Spoons. These office & productivity programs do the same job for free.
- 2 free alternatives
- 1 open source
- ₹0 to download
- All free office & productivity
Free alternatives to Evernote
Joplin
Open Sourceby Joplin
Open-source encrypted notebook with flexible sync.
- End-to-end encrypted synchronisation
- Sync via Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud or WebDAV
- Markdown notes with attachments
Can free software really replace Evernote?
Evernote's free tier has been repeatedly restricted, which is why so many users migrated. Obsidian and Joplin both keep your notes in open formats you control.
Being honest about it: free alternatives are not always a feature-for-feature match, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling something. What they are is free — so the cost of finding out whether they cover your particular workflow is an hour of your time rather than a subscription.
The closest replacement: Obsidian
Obsidian stores your notes as ordinary Markdown files in a folder on your own disk, then layers linking, backlinks, graph views and a large plugin ecosystem on top. Free for personal use, with no lock-in — your notes remain readable in any text editor.
- Plain Markdown files stored locally
- Bidirectional links and graph view
- Large community plugin ecosystem
- Free for personal use
All 2 free Evernote alternatives compared
| Program | Licence | Platforms | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Plain Markdown files stored locally |
| Joplin | Open Source | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | End-to-end encrypted synchronisation |
The other options in detail
Joplin Open Source
Joplin is an open-source note and to-do application with end-to-end encryption and the freedom to sync through whichever backend you prefer, including Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud or WebDAV. Notable for end-to-end encrypted synchronisation and sync via dropbox, onedrive, nextcloud or webdav. Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.
How to choose
If you want fully auditable, open-source code, Joplin is the one to try first. For the widest platform coverage, Obsidian, Joplin run on three or more operating systems.
All 2 are free to download from the publisher's own website, so installing two or three and testing them on your own files is the fastest way to decide — it costs nothing but a few minutes.
Why open source matters here
1 of these (Joplin) are open source. That means no company can later restrict the free tier, raise a price, or discontinue the product and leave your files stranded — the situation that pushes many people to look for an alternative to Evernote in the first place.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free alternative to Evernote?
Obsidian is the closest match — linked note-taking over plain Markdown files you own. If it does not suit your workflow, Joplin are worth trying.
Is there a free version of Evernote itself?
Evernote is commercial software from Bending Spoons. The programs above are separate products that do the same job — not cracked or modified copies. We do not link to pirated software under any circumstances.
Are these safe to download?
Yes, provided you get them from the publisher. Every button above opens the software author's own official website — we host no installers.