Looking for Notes App for Android & Linux

I am trying to slowly de-Google-ify myself by moving to open source apps, I wanna ditch google notes and evernote. I tried obsidian, standard notes, and joplin, I liked using obsidian on PC and standard notes looks nice on android but obsidian you need to pay to have sync and standard notes doesn’t do markdown unless you pay (are plugins only on PC???). Joplin has most features I need but I don’t like how it looks/feels on android (haven’t tried in PC yet)

Basically what I want the most in a notes app is offline with sync capability for phone and PC, would be nice to make folders for notes like notepads on evernote, and md is a big plus but I can live without it. I would love if I could use something like proton drive for cloud sync and wouldn’t mind paying for obsidian if it was cheaper cuz $8 per month is too much for my minimum pay and I didnt see any cheaper plans.

EDIT: If no one has any better suggestions, I am thinking of trying to setup obsidian with syncthing.

danie10,
@danie10@lemmy.ml avatar

I actually use Obsidian on my Linux desktop, synced with Syncthing to my Android phone, iPad, home server, etc (have version control also active to keep older copies of notes). Mainly because the volume of notes I do is on the desktop, and I need them for reference everywhere. But I’m not sure Obsidian is best as a phone app (bit busy), but you could test it with a simple UI.

mp3,
@mp3@lemmy.ca avatar

Joplin with Syncthing works well for me.

DeltaTangoLima,
@DeltaTangoLima@reddrefuge.com avatar

You can also self-host a Joplin sync server, which works exceedingly well too.

tate, (edited )
@tate@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

Because of a different Lemmy post, I’m just now trying out Orgzly. It looks terrific so far, and I think it meets all your needs. It stores everything in plain text, so you just have to sync the text files.

edit: as noptys points out, Orgzly Revived is what you want to use (and what I meant to recommend).

danie10,
@danie10@lemmy.ml avatar

Interesting, I see Orgzly uses Org mode formatting in plain text - orgmode.org/features.html

noptys,

If you enjoy Orgzly, the updated fork is likely what you want - https://f-droid.org/packages/com.orgzlyrevived/ It has bug fixes, additional features, and is under active development.

kzhe,

Sync Obsidian with Syncthing.

redempt,

I do this too and it’s awesome

recursive_recursion, (edited )
@recursive_recursion@programming.dev avatar

Logseq could be another option although I’m unsure about syncing, syncing might be possible via NextCloud/syncthing

procrastinare, (edited )

I sync all my notes on Logseq using synchting between 2 PCs and a phone. Working reliable for 7 months now

Evkob,
@Evkob@lemmy.ca avatar

I love how 90% of replies are recommending software that isn’t open-source.

Shady_Shiroe,
@Shady_Shiroe@lemmy.world avatar

At the very least most of the recommendations are not run my multi billion/million companies like Google keep, notion, and evernote who are always suspicious in what they do on the side.

themadcodger,
@themadcodger@kbin.social avatar

I'm late, but I have Obsidian set up with Syncthing and it works flawlessly. I adore Syncthing and would be lost without it!

Depending on your note taking needs, if Obsidian is too much, you could do the same with Notable/Noteless and Syncthing.

tuhriel,

I’m syncing obsidian with Drive via my Synology NAS

Basically everything where you can sync files should work.
The only downside I saw was that I had to reconfigure all clients individually (plugins, themes, template settings etc)

AVengefulAxolotl,

Yeah, same. It just works™!

Syncthing is such an awesome app, it basically allows the usage of so many apps which just use plain files instead of the Cloud™. Obsidian, Signal, Aegis Auth, Grayjay to just name a few.

filister, (edited )

You can check Obsidian with Syncthing or Anytype.

I think Anytype would or did already release their source code, while obsidian isn’t open source but it creates Markdown files which is very nice.

Arkhive,

Came here to say exactly this. I might move to EMacs org mode, but I’m still reliant on devices that offer better gui experiences with Obsidian than a command line based solution using EMacs

Trent,

Using Obsidian with mega on desktop and FolderSync covering syncing the android side of it. Works fine.

cocolopez,
@cocolopez@lemmy.world avatar

O do this but with logseq

Lem453, (edited )

Obsidian-livesync works very well If you have some self hosting skill / hardware. The sync happens in realtime and is almost like Google docs. Allows excellent sync between all devices

tacostrange,

anytype.io

anotherinternetrobot, (edited )

Also an anytype user. I like it both on PC and mobile phone

delightfuldude, (edited )
@delightfuldude@lemmy.criticalbasics.xyz avatar

I highly recommend:

  • Web: Nextcloud + Nextcloud Notes App + Qownnotes Sync App
  • Desktop: Qownnotes and/or vim (or any texteditor of choice)
  • Mobile: Nextcloud Notes

Main advantage of this software stack over other solutions like joplin is the handling of the notes. Everthing is stored in a simple folder structure in plain markdown text files (*.md). This means if anything breaks, you are always able to read and edit with any text editor on any system! I switched away from joplin because it stores the notes in a database and notes file names are a cryptic string, so if you are not able to load joplin it’s very hard to find anything.

hiramfromthechi,
@hiramfromthechi@lemmy.world avatar

Sounds like crypt.ee would be a good fit.

morriscox,

They’re allergic to the Shift key.

Xirup,

I like Notesnook, although it’s a bit expensive.

ali,

I was about to suggest obsidian+syncthing when I saw your edit. I’m using the same combo on multiple devices and it’s working flawlessly.

Father_Redbeard, (edited )
@Father_Redbeard@lemmy.ml avatar

Obsidian is great, and I agree the sync is too much. It does work flawlessly but Im going to try Syncthing again after my one year is up.

Another newcomer that is promising is Acreom. Doesnt require an account on PC. Currently does on mobile though. But like Obsidian, it is a pile of markdown files. No weird database silliness like Joplin does.

G020B,

Or Logseq is a great Obsidian alternative with no account needed and apps for Linux and Android. You can sync it with Syncthing.

Father_Redbeard,
@Father_Redbeard@lemmy.ml avatar

I’ve tried to like Logseq but with it’s outline focused approach, it didn’t jive with what I use a pkm for.

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