Google Keep has been my de facto choice for quick notes, to-do lists, and random thoughts. Its simplicity and seamless integration with the Google ecosystem made it an easy choice.
However, as my workflow grew, Google Keep’s limitations became apparent. I wanted something with a rich text editor, organization capabilities, and all the bells and whistles without affecting my privacy.
That’s when I began my search for a Google Keep replacement, and my journey led me to Joplin. It matched Keep’s core functionality and also unlocked the power, security, and freedom I was missing.
Excellent desktop apps
One of the biggest differences I noticed right away is that Joplin has dedicated, native desktop applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Google Keep, on the other hand, doesn’t offer a traditional desktop app. Instead, it only offers a web-based solution. It feels more like a browser tab than a true application.
Since I’m toying with self-hosting tools these days, a native Linux app from Joplin is always a plus.
Another neat feature is Joplin’s offline-first approach. I can access, create, and edit my notes even if I’m on a plane or in a café with no Wi-Fi. The next time I connect to the internet, Joplin automatically syncs all the changes to the cloud storage service of my choice (more on that in a minute).
Google Keep only offers offline access on its mobile apps, but not on the desktop, and is fundamentally designed to be an always-online service.
Google Keep formatting options are basic at best. In comparison, Joplin embraces the power of Markdown.
Joplin offers a full-featured formatting bar at the top of the keyboard. It gives me quick access to everything I need: headings, bold, lists, code blocks, tags, and more.
And the support for Markdown means my notes are futureproof. Even if Joplin shuts down tomorrow, I can always open my notes with another Markdown editor without running into any compatibility issues.
This rich text capability is a massive upgrade from Google Keep’s limited formatting and has allowed me to create more detailed notes than ever before.
Flexibility in storing and syncing notes
This is perhaps the biggest difference between Joplin and Google Keep. With Google Keep, I have no choice about where my data lives. It’s on Google’s servers, and that’s the end of the story.
Joplin completely flips this on its head. It provides flexibility by letting me choose the synchronization target for my notes. I can link it to the existing cloud storage provider of my choice, such as OneDrive, Dropbox, or even a self-hosting service like Nextcloud.
This means I can keep all my notes in a location I already trust and manage, without having to create another account just for my notes. And for those who want to take it a step further, Joplin supports self-hosting.
Overall, my notes are truly mine, encrypted end-to-end, and stored exactly where I want them to be.
Powerful organization and basic task management
Organization is another area where Joplin surpasses Google Keep.
With Google’s solution, I can use labels and background themes, but that’s as far as it goes. It’s fine for simple lists and ideas, but as my notes grew into a more complex knowledge base, I needed something more robust.
Joplin offers a tried-and-tested combination of notebooks and tags. If you have ever used Evernote, you will feel right at home with it.
There is also an option to create sub-notebooks. For example, I can create a ‘Self-hosting’ notebook and add sub-notebooks like Docker, Portainer, NAS, and more.
Finally, Joplin includes a basic but highly effective task management feature. I can create a new to-do note with a checkbox and stay on top of my tasks.
While it’s nowhere near to-do apps like TickTick, this basic functionality is more than enough for my daily needs.
Plugins support and open source nature
If the default Joplin features aren’t good enough for you, head to Settings > Plugins and install third-party plugins for your setup. There is a variety of options available.
Joplin is an open source solution. The app’s source code is available to the public for anyone to inspect. Unlike many of the note-taking apps, I have peace of mind knowing that there aren’t any backdoors.
Goodbye Google Keep
There is no shortage of Google Keep alternatives out there.
I tried Bundled Notes, but its lack of a native desktop app turned out to be a dealbreaker. Notesnook was another capable contender, but some of its features are locked behind a paywall. Joplin was the only one that ticked all the boxes.
Like every Android app, it’s far from perfect. The UI feels outdated on both mobile and desktop, and I would like to see home and lock screen widgets in future updates.
If these are deal breakers for you, check out other note-taking apps from the Play Store.
