The Best Zim AlternativesTop Note-taking & Task Management Tools like Zim

Alternatives list

1. 

   

   Obsidian

    1223 likes

   Privacy-oriented note-taking app for non-linear thinking, blending knowledge graph creation with wiki-style linking. Supports Markdown, end-to-end encryption, and plugins for customization. Offers distraction-free mode, tags, themes, syntax highlighting, and operates offline without tracking.

   348 Obsidian alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Proprietary

   Application typeApplication types

   • Note-taking
   • Todo List Manager

   Origin

   • Canada

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Android
   • iPhone
   • Android Tablet
   • iPad
   • Snapcraft
   • Microsoft Edge
   • Google Chrome
   • Flathub
   • Safari
   • AppImage
   • Mozilla Firefox

   • Canada

   

   

   

   +6

   

   More about Obsidian  

   

   Good alternative?Is Obsidian a good alternative to Zim?

    

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   3comments

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   Obsidian vs Zim Comments

   Comment by Sam Lander · Jun 20, 2023

   Zim is more lightweight. Obsidian has better UI and more community plugins.

   Zim saves to .txt and has built in folder notes. Obsidian users rely on too many community plugins, making Obsidian inherently less secure.

   Comment by Marco Bartoli · Dec 9, 2022

   Proprietary, meaning: Do you ultimately trust the vendor with your (potentially) most personal information. If not, stick with Zim.

   Positive comment by john1030 · Nov 7, 2024

   I like obsidian because of the ease of organization with the bookmark plugin . but Zim is great for noting
   "bits and bytes" since Omnivore is shutting down.

   3 of 3 comments

   

   

   • Obsidian is Freemium and ProprietaryZim is Free and Open Source
2. 

   

   Joplin

    945 likes

   Open source app for managing notes and to-dos with Markdown support. Syncs seamlessly across devices using services like Dropbox and OneDrive. Offers end-to-end encrypted synchronicity, offline access, rich import/export options, and a Web Clipper for browsers.

   226 Joplin alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Open Source

   Application typeApplication types

   • Note-taking
   • Todo List Manager

   Origin

   • France
   • EU

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Online
   • Android
   • iPhone
   • Android Tablet
   • iPad
   • Self-Hosted
   • AppImageHub
   • Snapcraft
   • Google Chrome
   • Flathub
   • PortableApps.com
   • F-Droid
   • Cloudron
   • Homebrew
   • Chocolatey
   • Termux
   • Mozilla Firefox

   • France
   • EU

   

   

   

   +7

   

   More about Joplin  

   

   Good alternative?Is Joplin a good alternative to Zim?

    

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   4comments

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   Joplin vs Zim Comments

   Comment by Marco Bartoli · Dec 9, 2022

   Sadly, Joplin's Notes are proprietary: You cannot easily access your files with a third party tool (like a text editor). Zim (and other tools) keep your files readable and writeable in plaintext.

   Positive comment by LordMax · Feb 28, 2020

   IT's not so similar to Zim Desktop, it's really near to evernote/nixnote It can be a good replacement too

   Positive comment by andgregorik · Dec 12, 2019

   Joplin caters to a somewhat different user base: more simplistic, quicker, requires way less IT/wiki savvy just to operate daily. It also has pitch perfect syncing which is not Zim's cup of tea. Still, the moving parts are similar, and it can work as an alternative.

   3 of 4 comments

   

   

   • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceZim is Free and Open Source
   • Joplin is Minimalistic and DecentralizedZim is not according to our users
4. 

   

   Anytype

    313 likes

   Manage notes, tasks, and projects offline with Markdown support. Enjoy encrypted storage, P2P syncing, and powerful dynamic collections across all devices, while allowing redistribution and modification for non-commercial uses.

   239 Anytype alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Source Available

   Application typeApplication types

   • Note-taking
   • Todo List Manager

   Origin

   • Switzerland

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Android
   • iPhone
   • Android Tablet
   • iPad
   • Self-Hosted
   • Google Chrome
   • Flathub
   • Flatpak
   • Docker

   • Switzerland

   

   

   

   +6

   

   More about Anytype  

   

   Good alternative?Is Anytype a good alternative to Zim?

    
5. Ad

   

   

   Workflowy

   Offers limitless nested lists for outlining, instant sync on web and mobile, real-time collaboration, file and photo uploads, kanban boards, tagging, offline editing, hoisting for branch focus, content sharing, text highlighting,...

   https://workflowy.com

   Learn More
6. 

   

   Notion

    683 likes

   Enhance team collaboration and content organization with Notion. Experience real-time access, intuitive drag-and-drop functionalities, and visually simple interfaces designed for productivity in managing tasks, notes, and databases effectively. Ideal for teams of every size.

   412 Notion alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Proprietary

   Application typeApplication types

   • Note-taking
   • Todo List Manager

   Origin

   • United States

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Online
   • Android
   • iPhone
   • Android Tablet
   • iPad
   • Software as a Service (SaaS)

   • United States

   

   

   

   +9

   

   More about Notion  

   

   Good alternative?Is Notion a good alternative to Zim?

    

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   2comments

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   Notion vs Zim Comments

   Positive comment by Dima Neiaglov · Oct 16, 2018

   Notion is also a wiki and also cross-platform in the sense that it is a web application. It has some features that Zim doesn't, e.g. multi-column layouts.

   Positive comment by Guest · Feb 3, 2019

   Android Client, Markdown, Built-in trello-like board

   2 of 2 comments

   

   

   • Notion is Freemium and ProprietaryZim is Free and Open Source
   • Notion is CustomizableZim is not according to our users
7. 

   

   CherryTree

    334 likes

   Hierarchical note-taking software that is free, open-source, cross-platform. Features include rich text, syntax highlighting, multi-level lists, embedded files, customizable interface, code execution, PDF export, spell check, images & tables, and comprehensive project management support.

   152 CherryTree alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Free
   • Open Source

   Application typeApplication types

   • Note-taking
   • Todo List Manager

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Flathub
   • PortableApps.com
   • Flatpak

   

   

   

   +3

   

   More about CherryTree  

   

   Good alternative?Is CherryTree a good alternative to Zim?

    

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   2comments

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   CherryTree vs Zim Comments

   Positive comment by John Fastman · Mar 26, 2017

   If Zim isn't to your liking, CherryTree might be: open-source, stores data locally, supports instant search, interprets code blocks, and has more text editing features. The only thing it's not good at (yet) is attaching things by drag-n-drop. But that is in development, I hear.

   Positive comment by bekir celik · Nov 26, 2019

   wysiwyg , bug free, easy-to use and versatile interface, encrypted and un-encrypted mode, can import/export data from/to zim keynote html etc . Code box with syntax highlighting feature is nice. Also can import files image etc . Strictly hierarchical. More likely an outlining software.

   2 of 2 comments

   

   

   • CherryTree is Free and Open SourceZim is also Free and Open Source
   • CherryTree is CustomizableZim is not according to our users
9. 

   

   Notesnook

    221 likes

   Offers open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes with device-based privacy, cross-platform support, private vault, secure sync, offline access, markdown editor, exports to multiple formats, automatic backups, organizational tools, and strong encryption.

   395 Notesnook alternatives

   Cost / License

   • Freemium
   • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

   Application typeApplication types

   • Note-taking
   • Task Management

   Origin

   • Pakistan

   Platforms

   • Mac
   • Windows
   • Linux
   • Online
   • Android
   • iPhone
   • Android Tablet
   • iPad
   • Google Chrome
   • Flathub
   • F-Droid
   • Software as a Service (SaaS)
   • Flatpak
   • Self-Hosted

   • Pakistan

   

   

   

   +6

   

   More about Notesnook  

   

   Good alternative?Is Notesnook a good alternative to Zim?

    
10. 

    

    Zettlr

     267 likes

    Unified writing platform offering note-taking, easy citations with Zotero integration, LaTeX/Word templates, snippets, themes, dark modes, code highlighting, multi-language support, and knowledge management with Zettelkasten for seamless writing from notes to books.

    248 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application typeApplication types

    • Note-taking
    • Text Editor

    Origin

    • Germany
    • EU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com

    • Germany
    • EU

    

    

    

    +5

    

    More about Zettlr  

    

    Good alternative?Is Zettlr a good alternative to Zim?

     

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    1comment

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    Zettlr vs Zim Comments

    Positive comment by Marco Bartoli · Dec 9, 2022

    Native markdown editor. My new choice after retiring Zim. Good features, even clunkier interface than Zim, yet easy to learn and master.

    1 of 1 comments

    

    

    • Zettlr is Free and Open SourceZim is also Free and Open Source
11. 

    

    AppFlowy

     213 likes

    Open-source workspace offering complete data control, deep customization via themes, plugins, and templates, native multi-platform support using Flutter and Rust, offline access, privacy features, collaborative tools, and easy extensibility for all users.

    154 AppFlowy alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (AGPL-3.0)

    Application typeApplication types

    • Note-taking
    • Todo List Manager

    Origin

    • Singapore

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Rust
    • Flathub

    • Singapore

    

    

    

    +2

    

    More about AppFlowy  

    

    Good alternative?Is AppFlowy a good alternative to Zim?

     
12. 

    

    Microsoft OneNote

     1149 likes

    Comprehensive digital notebook offering organizers, shared notes, multi-device syncing, and optical character recognition, plus cloud-based data management for efficient information handling and accessibility.

    235 Microsoft OneNote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application typeApplication types

    • Note-taking
    • Todo List Manager

    Origin

    • United States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Wear
    • Kindle Fire

    • United States

    

    

    

    +4

    

    More about Microsoft OneNote  

    

    Good alternative?Is Microsoft OneNote a good alternative to Zim?

     

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    4comments

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    Microsoft OneNote vs Zim Comments

    Negative comment by Sam Lander · Jun 20, 2023

    Microsoft OneNote can be used for similar functions, but I wouldn't call it a replacement.

    OneNote is very bulky. It uses up a lot of space and resources, and doesn't automatically save to a format practically any device can use. Your data is not secure, as it's a Microsoft program.

    Comment by Marco Bartoli · Dec 9, 2022

    More functional and user-friendly than Zim. However: Privacy. Ask yourself if you trust Microsoft with your data. If yes, that's ok. Personally however, I'd recommend using open source, self-hosted alternatives like Zim.

    Positive comment by Guest · Jul 23, 2019

    It supports both internal and external links and has good structure. It's also WYSIWYG.

    3 of 4 comments

    

    

    • Microsoft OneNote is Freemium and ProprietaryZim is Free and Open Source
13. 

    

    Simplenote

     612 likes

    Cloud-based, open-source note-taking app supporting plain text notes, lists, and ideas with real-time sync, multi-device support, version history, markdown, tagging, collaborative editing, no ads, and free registration required for all cloud features.

    194 Simplenote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (GPL-2.0)

    Application typeApplication types

    • Note-taking
    • Todo List Manager

    Origin

    • United States

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    • United States

    

    

    

    +3

    

    More about Simplenote  

    

    Good alternative?Is Simplenote a good alternative to Zim?

     

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    2comments

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    Discontinued

    Automattic ends Simplenote active development, only basic maintenance continues

    Simplenote vs Zim Comments

    Negative comment by John Fastman · Mar 26, 2017

    Simplenote is much less functional than Zim (no rich-text, no attachment to notes) and although it does work on mobile, it syncs your data via web-facing servers on which your info is held unencrypted. In that respect your information is much more vulnerable to hackers and govt agencies than if you used Zim, stored the data locally and maybe - if you need - sync it with an end-to-end encrypted service like Spideroak, Tresorit or Seafile (Seafile encrypts file content, not metadata).

    Positive comment by Guest · Oct 26, 2016

    Free and free of problems. Just simple.

    2 of 2 comments

    

    

    • Simplenote is Free and Open SourceZim is also Free and Open Source
    • Simplenote is MinimalisticZim is not according to our users
14. 

    

    AFFiNE

     126 likes

    Open-source, privacy-focused workspace combining note-taking, project and task management, Kanban board, interactive whiteboard, Pomodoro timer, Markdown support, offline access, real-time team collaboration with @mentions, goal tracking, subtasks, and customizable features.

    213 AFFiNE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application typeApplication types

    • Note-taking
    • Todo List Manager

    Origin

    • Singapore

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted

    • Singapore

    

    

    

    +3

    

    More about AFFiNE  

    

    Good alternative?Is AFFiNE a good alternative to Zim?

     
15. 

    

    TiddlyWiki

     315 likes

    TiddlyWiki is a single html file with all the characteristics of a wiki - including all of the functionality (including editing, saving, tagging and searching) and the style sheet. Because its a single file, its very portable - you can email it, put it on a web server or share...

    207 TiddlyWiki alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application typeApplication types

    • Note-taking
    • Todo List Manager

    Origin

    • United Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Xfce
    • RemoteStorage

    • United Kingdom

    

    More about TiddlyWiki  

    

    Good alternative?Is TiddlyWiki a good alternative to Zim?

     

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    1comment

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    TiddlyWiki vs Zim Comments

    Positive comment by Guest · May 14, 2017

    The single html file of TW is unbelievably simple and platform agnostic. File can be opened in any browser. There TW will open, edit, etc. Works just as well on a phone. File can be hosted/sync'd on DropBox or similar so you don't even need to download/upload (in the usual sense). Very smooth interface to boot. Robust support community constantly adding plugins.

    1 of 1 comments

    

    

    • TiddlyWiki is Free and Open SourceZim is also Free and Open Source
    • TiddlyWiki is CustomizableZim is not according to our users