Hi. Basically, I’m asking for suggestions. Do you know any good note taking app that works on linux desktop? I’m looking for something that I can use instead of Notion or Obsidian, with some nice to have:

  • Open source (that’s the reason I’m not that much into Obsidian, it could disappear tomorrow and I could not replace it with a community maintained fork)
  • Markdown based. I’d like to know that I can replace that app for another one when I want, and that’s not possible when they use their own obscure format
  • Local. I’m not interested in paying monthly for cloud storage. And actually, I’d prefer to know for certain that nothing leaves my local machine
  • Nice UX. I know that using plain text files and vim might do the job, but I’d like something more user friendly and with nice features (Notion, for example, nails it in my opinion)
  • Bonus: Can also be used on android (I’m aware this is a though one, and is not a deal breaker)

I know that all those requirements are hard to fulfill and I don’t even know if something like that exists, so I’d appreciate any kind of suggestion. For example, It’d be great if an open source like that exists, but I’m not completely closed to open-source-ish proprietary apps (e.g. licenses not really open but close enough), as long as they are free to use and work on linux.

Edit: Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. The most suggested alternative was Joplin so I’ll give it a try. However, as most of you mentioned, at the core it’s all markdown so I could easily try the other alternatives with the same knowledge base at a later point :)

  • Sonalder@lemmy.ml
    4·
    15 days ago

    I think you are looking for one of these

    • NotesNook (best free tier in my opinion)
    • logseq (like an open source obsidian)
    • Joplin (cloud is paid but you can selfhost)
    • Standard Notes (only support plain text on free tier)
  • wuphysics87@lemmy.ml
    3·
    14 days ago

    I want to congratulate everyone. I may have missed it, but I didn’t see a single person say Org Mode. Personally, I would suggest Org Mode Joplin

  • youmaynotknow@lemmy.ml
    151·
    15 days ago

    I get what you say about Obsidian just falling off of the face of the earth, but it is just that, markdown, so you can migrate it to any MD based notes app, like Joplin.

    Now, I don’t think those meet the nice UX requirement.

    • Father_Redbeard@lemmy.ml
      71·
      15 days ago

      Was going to say the same. Obsidian has very little proprietary stuff in it, other than maybe some plugins users may elect to use. Other than that, it’s just folders full of markdown files.

      • spikesforeyes@lemmy.mlEnglish
        2·
        14 days ago

        Even if it does “disappear”, you’d still be able to use it if you have it on your computer. And probably archive.org will have the binary saved.

  • toastal@lemmy.ml
    2·
    14 days ago

    You are really gonna want something beyond Markdown if you are taking anything other than the most basic of notes. Markdown lacks so, so many features & you will likely end up buying into some incompatible fork like the one behind Obsidian.

    • Tundra@lemmy.ml
      6·
      15 days ago

      The source code is open, but Its not traditionally open-source.

      Thats good enough for me, but worth noting.

  • said@lemmy.sdf.org
    9·
    15 days ago

    Well if you happen to find a good app that does what you want on desktop, then you can complement it on Android with Markor , it’s “markdown native” and it has nice extra options like adding list elements, quick formatting etc. All based on markdown, can be easily switched between editor mode and preview(markdown rendered) mode.

      • kipo@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        15 days ago

        Why did you stay with it over Joplin? As a Joplin user, I am curious.

        • unlogic@lemmy.zip
          3·
          15 days ago

          Really just the way it works for me. It is easy to randomly jot down stuff and find it again. No folders and organising notes. It really depends how you work best. Logseq is based around making quick notes and connecting them (like zettlekasten) without having to worry about files and folders.

  • Eager Eagle@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    15 days ago

    Quillpad has an interface like Google Keep - which for mobile it’s one of the best ones out there IMO. It’s also markdown-based, local-first, open source, gluten-free, vegan, etc

    • PandaInSpace@kbin.earth
      1·
      15 days ago

      I forgot to mention your app, I use it on my phone. Pretty fast app.

      I was planning to add an issue - when the numbered list reaches 3 digits, it overflows to the next line. This was the reason I went back to Joplin. But I have high hopes for your app :)

      • Shady_Shiroe@lemmy.world
        2·
        13 days ago

        Thanks for letting me know.

        Also, I am just surprised people know about it, even if I mention it I honestly didn’t think anyone would try it. I want to make it much better but I lack the knowledge to make it as perfectly as I envision it, so they only thing I can do it learn and improve as I go.

        • PandaInSpace@kbin.earth
          1·
          13 days ago

          Your app is really good, I use the android version. It has most features one expects. It loads really quickly compared to Joplin (ik Joplin has a lot of other features, plus I have a few plugins installed as well). I also really like the customization option - ability to create custom themes is awesome, I like creating custom themes if the apps provide the option.

          And the numbered list issue is present in almost all apps I tried, one dev told me its due to the editor they use. The only reason I stick with Joplin & markor is because they’re the only markdown based apps I found where numbered lists work.

          Thanks for making print notes!! And most importantly, don’t burn yourself out, take rest. I’m not a developer, I’ll assist with testing though