1
Obsidian
obsidian.mdSame kind of online tool
Obsidian supports private note-taking, with sync, publishing, plugins, and web clipping listed among its options.
Alternatives
The Best Noteshelf Alternatives in 2026
18 alternatives1 free · 6 open source
Looking for something like Noteshelf? Here are 18 alternatives, ranked by how closely they match it on purpose, features and platforms. Of these, 1 are free or have a free plan and 6 are open source.
Handwriting, document annotation, diaries, and journals are among the features of Noteshelf note-taking app.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionObsidianObsidian supports private note-taking, with sync…Free or freemium optionLokusLokus - A modern, intuitive note-taking application with…Open source optionXournalppXournal++ supports handwritten note-taking and PDF…Another optionButterflyLinwood Butterfly provides an endless workspace for…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obsidian | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 2 | Butterfly | — | Not stated | Web |
| 3 | Xournalpp | — | Yes | Linux, macOS, Windows |
| 4 | Notesnook | — | Not stated | Android, iOS, Linux |
| 5 | Joplin | — | Not stated | Android, iOS, Linux |
| 6 | Mochi Cards | — | Not stated | Android, iOS, Linux |
| 7 | MicroPad | — | Not stated | Linux, macOS, Web |
| 8 | SilentNotes | — | Not stated | Android, Web, Windows |
| 9 | Notesnook | — | Yes | Web, Android, iOS |
| 10 | Papers.IM | — | Not stated | Web |
All Noteshelf alternatives
2
Butterfly
butterfly.linwood.devSame kind of online tool
Linwood Butterfly provides an endless workspace for handwriting, sketching, annotating, taking notes, and organizing ideas.
3
Also covers macos · open source
Xournal++ supports handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation on Linux, macOS, and Windows, including pen input from devices such as Wacom tablets.
4
Notesnook
notesnook.comAlso covers ios · same kind of online tool
Notesnook provides open-source note-taking with zero-knowledge encryption, a free tier, and paid plans for added storage and features.
5
Joplin
joplinapp.orgAlso covers ios · same kind of online tool
Joplin provides open-source note-taking, with plugins, help resources, and a cloud service listed on its site.
6
Mochi Cards
mochi.cardsAlso covers ios · same kind of online tool
Mochi supports spaced-repetition flashcards and note-taking, according to its product page.
7
MicroPad
getmicropad.comAlso covers macos · same kind of online tool
MicroPad supports note-taking and note organization, according to its product page.
8
SilentNotes
martinstoeckli.ch/silentnotesSame kind of online tool
SilentNotes offers cross-platform note-taking, with downloads and privacy information on its site.
9
Open source
A fully open source and end-to-end encrypted note taking alternative to Evernote.
10
Papers.IM
papers.imSame kind of online tool
Papers.IM provides in-browser note-taking, with its page describing the app as restrictionless and for digital professionals.
11
QOwnNotes
qownnotes.orgAlso covers macos
QOwnNotes supports Markdown note-taking on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and works with Nextcloud Notes.
12
Also covers ios · open source
Standard Notes is an end-to-end encrypted note-taking app for capturing notes and files, according to its repository description.
13
Joplin
github.com/laurent22/joplinAlso covers ios
Take notes and sync them across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS using Joplin, the privacy-focused note-taking app.
14
Edna
edna.arslexis.ioTake notes in Edna, which the supplied page describes as a note-taking application with added features.
15
Free
Lokus - A modern, intuitive note-taking application with powerful editing capabilities
16
Open source
VNote is a Qt-based open-source note-taking application that combines note management with editing for Markdown, Typst, plain text and code, mind maps, and PDF reading on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
17
Open source
Org-roam is a Roam-inspired note-taking project built around Org-mode, as stated in its repository description.
18
Open source
Butterfly supports handwritten note-taking, drawing, and organizing ideas in an open-source endless workspace.
No alternatives match this filter.
Alternatives to similar tools
Notesnook24 alternativesSilentNotes17 alternativesNotesnook21 alternativesLokus22 alternativesVnote24 alternativesObsidian19 alternatives
TopicNotes & Knowledge Management · 92 sites Best-of listBest Free Note-Taking Apps for Offline Use ListingNoteshelf details
What is the best alternative to Noteshelf?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to Noteshelf are Obsidian, Butterfly, and Xournalpp.
Is there a free alternative to Noteshelf?
Yes. Lokus is free or offer a free plan.
Are there open-source alternatives to Noteshelf?
Yes: Xournalpp, Notesnook, App, and Vnote.
Alternatives are suggested from the purpose and features described in our listings. Different pages for the same product appear once. Read each description to check whether it fits your task. How we choose alternatives · Suggest an alternative