// comparison · Notes
EvernotevsJoplin: Which Should You Use?
Quick verdict: If you can stomach a one-time migration, Joplin gives you Evernote's structure (notebooks, tags, web clipper, multi-device sync) — free, encrypted, and yours forever.
Side-by-side
| Evernote | Joplin | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.17/mo (Evernote Personal annual) | $0 (free) |
| License | Proprietary subscription | Open source (FOSS), self-hostable, privacy-first |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Terminal |
| File compatibility | Native formats | Imports via export file |
| Learning curve | Established workflow | Easy |
| Best for | You depend on Evernote's OCR over years of scanned receipts and PDFs | You take Markdown-style notes and want them future-proof |
When to use each
Stick with Evernote when
- You depend on Evernote's OCR over years of scanned receipts and PDFs
- You use Evernote's Tasks + Calendar integration heavily
- Your team shares Evernote spaces with comments and permissions
- You don't want to handle sync — and Evernote's cloud is part of why you pay
Switch to Joplin when
- You take Markdown-style notes and want them future-proof
- You want end-to-end encrypted sync via any cloud you already use
- You're tired of Evernote's plan changes and want full data ownership
- You self-host (Joplin Server) and prefer to keep notes off third-party clouds
Migration: Evernote → Joplin
Switch Score for Joplin: Easy · Imports via export file. If you decide to move from Evernote to Joplin, plan a short adjustment window. Most users find that day-to-day work transfers within a week, with file-format quirks the most common source of friction.
Honest trade-offs of Joplin
- OCR over images and scanned PDFs isn't built in like Evernote's
- First-time sync setup (Dropbox / WebDAV / Joplin Server) needs a few minutes
- Rich-text editing is Markdown-flavoured; long-time Evernote users miss WYSIWYG
FAQ
Can Joplin import my Evernote .enex export?
Yes — direct .enex import is built in. Notebooks, notes, tags, and attachments all come across.
Where is my data stored?
Locally first. Sync is opt-in: pick Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, WebDAV, or self-hosted Joplin Server — all end-to-end encrypted if you turn it on.
Is there a web clipper like Evernote's?
Yes — Joplin's web clipper is a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox and clips full articles or selections.