ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors vs Joplin

ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors: what it's good at

ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors are built around the Office Open XML formats natively, which typically gives the most faithful rendering of complex .docx and .xlsx files of any free suite. The interface is also the closest to modern Microsoft Office.

• Native .docx, .xlsx and .pptx handling
• Ribbon interface familiar to Office users
• Works offline; optional cloud collaboration
• Open source

Joplin: what it's good at

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. A strong option for anyone leaving a proprietary notes app.

• End-to-end encrypted synchronisation
• Sync via Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud or WebDAV
• Markdown notes with attachments
• Web clipper browser extension

Which should you choose?

Both are free, so the honest answer is that you can install either and decide for yourself — that is the advantage of free software over a paid trial.

Both run on Windows, macOS, Linux. Only Joplin supports Android, iOS. Both are open source, so neither locks you in.

We deliberately do not publish a star rating for either. We have no way to verify a rating that would be honest at scale, and an invented one would be worse than none — so we give you the facts and let you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Is ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors better than Joplin?

Neither is universally better. ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors the office suite with the closest Microsoft Office compatibility, while Joplin open-source encrypted notebook with flexible sync. The right pick depends on your platform and workflow.

Are both really free?

ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors is open source and Joplin is open source. Both can be downloaded without paying.

Can I install both?

Yes. Since neither costs anything, installing both and comparing them on your own files is usually the fastest way to decide.