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OpenSourceChoice

Open-source alternatives guide · Updated 2026

Best open-source alternatives to Google Keep

Compare the best free and open-source alternatives to Google Keep — 14 verified projects with explicit catalog relationships. Inspect licenses, GitHub activity, self-hosting signals, and migration fit before you switch.

Official product reference Google Keep
  • 14verified alternatives
  • 7self-hosted signals
  • 5categories

Only explicit alternative relationships are shown—never inferred competitor claims.

Overview

This guide compares 14 verified open-source alternatives to Google Keep, including AppFlowy, Memos, Joplin, and [Logseq](/projects/logseq).

Projects appear across Productivity, Data & Analytics, and Security & Privacy. 7 options include a self-hosting signal — see the self-hosted catalog. Ranking follows public GitHub stars and recorded momentum—not vendor marketing. Compare projects side by side, then confirm license fit, migration effort, and operational ownership before adopting any option.

Strongest repository-activity signal: AppFlowy · Jump to ranking · 73.8K stars · self-hostable

About Google Keep

Proprietary note-taking app from Google.

Visit Google Keep

Ranked open-source alternatives to Google Keep

Compare capabilities, licensing, and ownership model. Stars help with discovery; they are not a security or product-fit guarantee.

#1

AppFlowy

Open-source alternative to Google Keep

Bring projects, wikis, and teams together with AI. AppFlowy is the AI collaborative workspace where you achieve more without losing control of your data. The leading open source Notion alternative.

Bring projects, wikis, and teams together with AI. AppFlowy is the AI collaborative workspace where you achieve more without losing control of your data. The leading open source No

Best for
Individuals and small teams
Deployment
Self-hostable
License
AGPL-3.0
Activity
Updated 21 days ago
#2

Memos

Open-source alternative to Google Keep

Open-source, self-hosted note-taking tool built for quick capture. Markdown-native, lightweight, and fully yours.

Open-source, self-hosted note-taking tool built for quick capture. Markdown-native, lightweight, and fully yours. Review the official repository, license, release activity, and dep

Best for
Data teams
Deployment
Self-hostable
License
MIT
Activity
Updated 31 hours ago

Key capabilities

#3

Joplin

Open-source alternative to Google Keep

FranceProductivityLicense not declared

Joplin - the privacy-focused note taking app with sync capabilities for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

Joplin - the privacy-focused note taking app with sync capabilities for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Review the official repository, license, release activity, and deplo

Best for
Individuals and small teams
Deployment
Inspectable source
License
License not declared
Activity
Updated 27 hours ago
#6

Notesnook

Open-source alternative to Google Keep

A fully open source & end-to-end encrypted note taking alternative to Evernote.

A fully open source & end-to-end encrypted note taking alternative to Evernote. Review the official repository, license, release activity, and deployment documentation before produ

Best for
Individuals and small teams
Deployment
Self-hostable
License
GPL-3.0
Activity
Updated 33 hours ago
#7

AnyType

Open-source alternative to Google Keep

GermanySecurity & PrivacyLicense not declaredSelf-hosted

Official Anytype client for MacOS, Linux, and Windows

Official Anytype client for MacOS, Linux, and Windows Review the official repository, license, release activity, and deployment documentation before production adoption.

Best for
Security teams
Deployment
Self-hostable
License
License not declared
Activity
Updated 26 hours ago
#8

Standard Notes

Open-source alternative to Google Keep

Think fearlessly with end-to-end encrypted notes and files. For issues, visit https://standardnotes.com/forum or https://standardnotes.com/help.

Think fearlessly with end-to-end encrypted notes and files. For issues, visit https://standardnotes.com/forum or https://standardnotes.com/help. Review the official repository, lic

Best for
Security teams
Deployment
Inspectable source
License
AGPL-3.0
Activity
Updated 2 days ago
#10

Zen

Open-source alternative to Google Keep

Selfhosted notes app. Single golang binary, notes stored as markdown within SQLite, full-text search, very low resource usage

Selfhosted notes app. Single golang binary, notes stored as markdown within SQLite, full-text search, very low resource usage Review the official repository, license, release activ

Best for
Individuals and small teams
Deployment
Self-hostable
License
AGPL-3.0
Activity
Updated 3 months ago
#11

Darkwrite

Open-source alternative to Google Keep

Notes as it should have been. Built for people who just want to write, without nonsense.

Notes as it should have been. Built for people who just want to write, without nonsense. Review the official repository, license, release activity, and deployment documentation bef

Best for
Individuals and small teams
Deployment
Inspectable source
License
AGPL-3.0
Activity
Updated Jul 15, 2026
#12

OpenNotas

Open-source alternative to Google Keep

Content & CollaborationLicense not declared

A Simple, Lightweight, Cross-Platform Personal Note-Taking Application.

A Simple, Lightweight, Cross-Platform Personal Note-Taking Application. Review the official repository, license, release activity, and deployment documentation before production ad

Best for
Knowledge teams
Deployment
Inspectable source
License
License not declared
Activity
Updated Apr 5, 2026
#13

Justnote

Open-source alternative to Google Keep

A simple, fast, privacy-focused note-taking app that you can use easily, take notes rapidly, and, importantly, truly own your account and data.

A simple, fast, privacy-focused note-taking app that you can use easily, take notes rapidly, and, importantly, truly own your account and data. Review the official repository, lice

Best for
Security teams
Deployment
Inspectable source
License
GPL-2.0
Activity
Updated Feb 3, 2026
#14

itsnotes

Open-source alternative to Google Keep

A self-hosted Google Keep replacement. Keeps the sticky-note vibe but adds much better navigation, timeline markers, proper list views, basic folders, and direct Keep/MD imports.

A self-hosted Google Keep replacement. Keeps the sticky-note vibe but adds much better navigation, timeline markers, proper list views, basic folders, and direct Keep/MD imports. R

Best for
Infrastructure teams
Deployment
Self-hostable
License
MIT
Activity
Updated Jul 10, 2026
How to choose a Google Keep alternative
01

Map must-have capabilitiesList the workflows in Google Keep you cannot drop during migration.

02

Verify the licenseConfirm it fits your use, distribution, and compliance model. Browse license briefs.

03

Run a proof of conceptTest real data, integrations, clients, and failure modes. Use Compare for side-by-side checks.

04

Plan ownershipAssess upgrades, backups, support, and an exit path. Read when self-hosting is worth it.

Frequently asked questions about Google Keep alternatives

What are the best open-source alternatives to Google Keep?

OpenSourceChoice currently lists 14 projects with an explicit alternative relationship to Google Keep. Catalog highlights include AppFlowy, Memos, and Joplin. Rankings follow public GitHub stars and recorded momentum—not paid placement. Match capabilities and license fit to your workflow before adopting any option.

Are open-source alternatives to Google Keep free?

Most catalogued alternatives publish source under OSI or source-available licenses and are free to inspect. Hosting, commercial support, or cloud model APIs may still cost money. Always read the project license for your use case.

Can I self-host an alternative to Google Keep?

7 options in this list carry a self-hosting signal. Confirm the official install guide, backups, upgrades, and hardening steps before production.

How should I evaluate Google Keep alternatives?

Map must-have Google Keep workflows, verify license and compliance fit, run a proof of concept with real data and integrations, then plan ownership for upgrades, backups, support, and an exit path.

Browse and filter the catalog

Narrow the same alternatives by search, license, tags, or self-hosting signals when you need a tighter shortlist.

Bring projects, wikis, and teams together with AI. AppFlowy is the AI collaborative workspace where you achieve more without losing control of your data. The leading open source Notion alternative.

FreePricingFree open source; optional Cloud plansFree73.8K5.6K21 days ago

Open-source, self-hosted note-taking tool built for quick capture. Markdown-native, lightweight, and fully yours.

FreePricingFree and open sourceFree61.6K4.6K31 hours ago
FranceLicense not declared

Joplin - the privacy-focused note taking app with sync capabilities for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

FreePricingFree and open sourceFree55.6K6.2K27 hours ago

A privacy-first, open-source platform for knowledge management and collaboration. Download link: http://github.com/logseq/logseq/releases. roadmap: https://logseq.io/p/NX4mc_ggEV

FreePricingFree open source; optional publishing/sync services may be paidFree43.9K2.7K27 hours ago
AGPL-3.0

Desktop app to manage markdown knowledge bases

FreePricingFree and open sourceFree18.7K1.3K34 hours ago
GPL-3.0

A fully open source & end-to-end encrypted note taking alternative to Evernote.

FreePricingFree and open sourceFree14.3K96633 hours ago
GermanyLicense not declared

Official Anytype client for MacOS, Linux, and Windows

FreePricingFree and open sourceFree8.4K54926 hours ago

Think fearlessly with end-to-end encrypted notes and files. For issues, visit https://standardnotes.com/forum or https://standardnotes.com/help.

FreePricingFree and open sourceFree6.5K5362 days ago
GPL-3.0

Roll your own tracker!

FreePricingFree and open sourceFree3.4K11927 hours ago
AGPL-3.0

Selfhosted notes app. Single golang binary, notes stored as markdown within SQLite, full-text search, very low resource usage

FreePricingFree and open sourceFree1.1K633 months ago
AGPL-3.0

Notes as it should have been. Built for people who just want to write, without nonsense.

FreePricingFree and open sourceFree29313Jul 15, 2026
License not declared

A Simple, Lightweight, Cross-Platform Personal Note-Taking Application.

FreePricingFree and open sourceFree17419Apr 5, 2026
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