3 Open Source alternatives to Evernote in 2026
We compare 3 self-hostable tools you can deploy on your own server in minutes, with license, tech stack and a ready-to-copy docker-compose.
Quick comparison
Sorted by featured first, then GitHub stars as a tiebreaker — the same rule we use across the whole site.
| Tool | License | Minimum RAM | Docker | GitHub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin 100% FOSSMost popular on GitHub | AGPL-3.0 | ~1GB | ✅ | ★ ~46,000 |
| Trilium Notes Lightest option100% FOSS1-Click Deploy | AGPL-3.0 | ~256MB | ✅ | ★ ~28,000 |
| Paperless-ngx 100% FOSS | GPL-3.0 | ~2GB | ✅ | ★ ~26,000 |
Detailed profile of each alternative
Alternative to Evernote, OneNote
Hierarchical, encrypted notes, an alternative to Evernote/OneNote.
Alternative to Evernote, OneNote
Cross-platform encrypted notes, a free alternative to Evernote.
Alternative to Evernote
Digital document archive with OCR, no paid scanning app subscription needed.
How much does Evernote cost, and how much can you save?
Evernote charges a recurring monthly fee. Self-hosting the alternative, you only pay for the server — usually a few dollars a month.
Calculate your exact savings in the SaaS Audit →Already know which one you want?
Add Joplin to the Stack Builder and generate a ready-to-deploy docker-compose.yml, alone or alongside the rest of your stack.
Build my stackFrequently asked questions
Do I need Docker to self-host a Evernote alternative?
Yes, for all 3: each one has a ready-to-copy docker-compose.yml. You just need Docker installed on your server.
How much RAM do I need at minimum?
The lightest option on this list is Trilium Notes, which runs on as little as 256MB of RAM — enough for a cheap VPS.
Are they all 100% free, or are there paid features like on Evernote?
Yes, all 3 are 100% FOSS: no paid plan or locked features when self-hosted.