1
Edna
edna.arslexis.ioTake notes in Edna, which the supplied page describes as a note-taking application with added features.
Alternatives
The Best Papers.IM Alternatives in 2026
18 alternatives1 free · 7 open source
Looking for something like Papers.IM? 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 7 are open source.
Papers.IM provides in-browser note-taking, with its page describing the app as restrictionless and for digital professionals.
Top picks at a glance
First suggestionEdnaTake notes in Edna, which the supplied page describes as a…Free or freemium optionLokusLokus - A modern, intuitive note-taking application with…Open source optionNote DiscoveryNote Discovery describes itself as a self-hosted knowledge…Another optionSilentNotesSilentNotes offers cross-platform note-taking, with…
Quick comparison
| # | Alternative | Pricing | Open source | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edna | — | Not stated | Web |
| 2 | SilentNotes | — | Not stated | Android, Web, Windows |
| 3 | Notesnook | — | Not stated | Android, iOS, Linux |
| 4 | Obsidian | — | Not stated | Web, Windows |
| 5 | MicroPad | — | Not stated | Linux, macOS, Web |
| 6 | Noteshelf | — | Not stated | iOS, Web |
| 7 | Joplin | — | Not stated | Android, iOS, Linux |
| 8 | Mochi Cards | — | Not stated | Android, iOS, Linux |
| 9 | Note Discovery | — | Yes | — |
| 10 | Notesnook | — | Yes | Web, Android, iOS |
All Papers.IM alternatives
2
SilentNotes
martinstoeckli.ch/silentnotesSame kind of online tool
SilentNotes offers cross-platform note-taking, with downloads and privacy information on its site.
3
Notesnook
notesnook.comSame 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.
4
Obsidian
obsidian.mdSame kind of online tool
Obsidian supports private note-taking, with sync, publishing, plugins, and web clipping listed among its options.
5
MicroPad
getmicropad.comSame kind of online tool
MicroPad supports note-taking and note organization, according to its product page.
6
Noteshelf
noteshelf.netSame kind of online tool
Handwriting, document annotation, diaries, and journals are among the features of Noteshelf note-taking app.
7
Joplin
joplinapp.orgSame kind of online tool
Joplin provides open-source note-taking, with plugins, help resources, and a cloud service listed on its site.
8
Mochi Cards
mochi.cardsSame kind of online tool
Mochi supports spaced-repetition flashcards and note-taking, according to its product page.
9
Open source
Note Discovery describes itself as a self-hosted knowledge base, according to its repository page.
10
Open source
A fully open source and end-to-end encrypted note taking alternative to Evernote.
11
QOwnNotes
qownnotes.orgQOwnNotes supports Markdown note-taking on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and works with Nextcloud Notes.
12
Free
Lokus - A modern, intuitive note-taking application with powerful editing capabilities
13
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.
14
Open source
Standard Notes is an end-to-end encrypted note-taking app for capturing notes and files, according to its repository description.
15
Open source
Org-roam is a Roam-inspired note-taking project built around Org-mode, as stated in its repository description.
16
Open source
Xournal++ supports handwritten note-taking and PDF annotation on Linux, macOS, and Windows, including pen input from devices such as Wacom tablets.
17
Joplin
github.com/laurent22/joplinTake notes and sync them across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS using Joplin, the privacy-focused note-taking app.
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 ListingPapers.IM details
What is the best alternative to Papers.IM?
Based on features, tags and platforms, the closest alternatives to Papers.IM are Edna, SilentNotes, and Notesnook.
Is there a free alternative to Papers.IM?
Yes. Lokus is free or offer a free plan.
Are there open-source alternatives to Papers.IM?
Yes: Note Discovery, Notesnook, Vnote, and App.
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