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6 self-hosted options

Open-source alternatives to Google Keep

The best open-source alternatives to Google Keep are Memos, Joplin and Standard Notes.

About Google Keep: Google's simple note and checklist app.

Every option below is free to self-host and ranked by GitHub stars, so you can move off Google Keep without giving up the features you rely on.

Top picks

  1. Rank 1:

    Memos

    usememos/memos

    Knowledge base that works with a SQLite db file.

    Note-taking & EditorsGoDocker
  2. Rank 2:

    Joplin

    laurent22/joplin

    Note taking application with markdown editor and encryption support for mobile and desktop platforms. Runs client-side and syncs through a self hosted Nextcloud instance or similar (alternative to…

    Note-taking & EditorsTypeScript
  3. Rank 3:

    Standard Notes

    standardnotes/app

    Simple and private notes app. Protect your privacy while getting more done. That's Standard Notes.

    Note-taking & EditorsTypeScript

Why switch

Why teams move off Google Keep

Self-hosting is not only about saving money. These are the reasons people make the switch.

  • Own your data

    Your data lives on a server you control, not on Google Keep's infrastructure. No surprise policy changes and no lock-in.

  • No per-seat pricing

    Open-source alternatives to Google Keep are free to run for as many users as your server can handle. A small VPS often costs less than a single subscription.

  • Customize and extend

    Read the code, add plugins, connect it to your own tools and automate it through open APIs. When you need a feature, you can build it or fund it.

Full ranking

All 6 Google Keep alternatives

Ranked by GitHub stars. Open any app for live stats, license details and a deploy option.

  1. 1

    Memos

    Knowledge base that works with a SQLite db file.

  2. 2

    Joplin

    Note taking application with markdown editor and encryption support for mobile and desktop platforms. Runs client-side and syncs through a self hosted Nextcloud instance or similar (alternative to…

  3. 3

    Standard Notes

    Simple and private notes app. Protect your privacy while getting more done. That's Standard Notes.

  4. 4

    Blinko

    A personal note tool with AI features.

  5. 5

    flatnotes

    Database-less note-taking web app that utilises a flat folder of markdown files for storage.

  6. 6

    Jotty

    Lightweight but powerful alternative for managing your personal, file based, notes and checklists.

FAQ

Google Keep alternatives: FAQ

Still curious? Email info@appsgit.com.

What is the best open-source alternative to Google Keep?

Memos is the most popular open-source alternative to Google Keep, with 63,545 GitHub stars. Joplin and Standard Notes are also strong choices. Compare features, license and recent activity to find the best fit for your team.

Is there a free alternative to Google Keep?

Yes. All 6 apps on this page are open source and free to self-host, so you can run a Google Keep replacement without per-user fees. You only pay for the server, and a small VPS is usually enough for personal use or a small team.

Can I self-host an alternative to Google Keep?

Yes. Memos, Blinko and flatnotes ship a Docker image, so you can run them on a home server or VPS with Docker Compose in a few minutes. Your data then stays on hardware you control.

How do I migrate from Google Keep?

Start by exporting your data from Google Keep, then check the import options of the app you pick, since many projects ship importers for popular formats. Run both side by side for a week before you switch so nothing is lost.