Self-Hosted Alternatives to Apple Notes
Why Replace Apple Notes?
Apple Notes is convenient if you live entirely in Apple’s ecosystem. The moment you need a Windows machine, an Android phone, or want to access notes from a browser on a non-Apple device, the walls close in. Your notes are locked to iCloud, synced only to Apple devices, and exported only as PDFs or plain text — losing formatting, attachments, and organization.
| Concern | Apple Notes | Self-Hosted |
|---|---|---|
| Platform support | Apple devices only | Any device with a browser |
| Data storage | iCloud servers | Your server |
| Export quality | PDF or plain text (lossy) | Full Markdown or database |
| Encryption | iCloud encryption (Apple holds keys) | End-to-end (you hold keys) |
| Cross-platform | No Android, no Linux | Full cross-platform |
| Offline access | Apple devices only | Any synced device |
| Cost | Free with iCloud (5 GB) | Free (own hardware) |
Best Alternatives
Joplin Server — Best Overall Replacement
Joplin is the strongest Apple Notes replacement for one reason: it has native apps on every platform Apple Notes doesn’t. Android, Windows, Linux — plus macOS and iOS. End-to-end encryption optional. Markdown-based with rich formatting.
What matches Apple Notes:
- Quick capture from mobile
- Notebooks and tags for organization
- Image and file attachments
- Checklist support
- Sync across all devices
What’s better than Apple Notes:
- Works on Android and Windows
- End-to-end encryption (Apple can read your iCloud notes)
- Markdown export (your notes are standard files, not proprietary format)
- Plugin ecosystem (backlinks, templates, custom CSS)
- Web clipper for saving web pages
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Joplin Server
Trilium — Best for Heavy Note-Takers
Trilium goes beyond simple notes into a personal knowledge base. If your Apple Notes usage has grown into hundreds of notes with complex organization, Trilium’s hierarchical tree, note relations, and scripting capabilities handle scale that flat note apps can’t.
Best for: Users with 500+ notes who want relational organization. Researchers, writers, and knowledge workers who outgrew linear note-taking.
Trade-off: No native mobile app — web UI only. If mobile note-taking is essential, pair with Joplin for capture and Trilium for organization.
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Trilium
SiYuan — Best Visual Match
SiYuan is a block-based note-taking app with a modern UI closest to Apple Notes’ aesthetic. WYSIWYG editing, backlinks, graph view, daily notes, and asset management. Available as a desktop app with sync via self-hosted S3 or WebDAV.
Best for: Users who want a modern, Notion-like experience without the Apple or cloud lock-in. SiYuan’s block-level editing feels natural to Apple Notes users.
Trade-off: Smaller community than Joplin. Mobile app exists but is less polished.
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host SiYuan
Standard Notes — Best for Security
Standard Notes focuses on encryption first. Every note is encrypted on-device before sync. Even if someone accesses your server, notes are unreadable without your password. The editor is deliberately simple — closer to Apple Notes’ clean interface than Trilium’s power-user complexity.
Best for: Users whose primary motivation for leaving Apple Notes is privacy and encryption. Journalists, activists, or anyone handling sensitive information.
Trade-off: Limited formatting in the free tier. Rich editors require the extended subscription (or self-hosting the full server).
Migration Guide
Export from Apple Notes
Apple Notes has no built-in export. Options:
Method 1: Apple’s Data & Privacy Portal
- Go to privacy.apple.com
- Request a copy of your data
- Select “iCloud Notes”
- Download — you’ll get notes in a basic format
Method 2: Exporter (macOS) Use Exporter from the Mac App Store — it exports Apple Notes to Markdown files with attachments preserved.
Method 3: Manual copy For small collections, open each note in Apple Notes, select all content, and paste into Joplin or your target app. Formatting is partially preserved.
Import to Joplin
If you exported to Markdown files:
- Open Joplin desktop app
- File → Import → Markdown (Directory)
- Select the folder containing your exported notes
- Joplin imports each file as a separate note, preserving folder structure
Cost Comparison
| Apple Notes | Self-Hosted (Joplin) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $0 (with 5 GB iCloud) or $1-10/month for more storage | $0 (own hardware) or ~$5/month (VPS) |
| Storage | 5 GB free, up to 12 TB paid | Unlimited (your disk) |
| Platform tax | Requires Apple devices | Any device |
| Lock-in cost | Very high (no clean export) | None (Markdown files) |
What You Give Up
- Handwriting support — Apple Notes’ handwriting on iPad with Apple Pencil has no self-hosted equivalent at this quality level.
- iCloud integration — Notes linked to Calendar events, Reminders, and other Apple apps won’t have equivalents.
- Quick Note on macOS — The hot corner Quick Note feature is Apple-only. Joplin has a global shortcut but it’s not as seamless.
- Shared notes with Apple users — Collaborative notes with family/friends using Apple devices becomes harder.
- Scanning and OCR — Apple Notes’ document scanner with OCR is built-in. Joplin needs separate OCR setup.
The biggest practical impact is losing handwriting support if you’re an iPad + Apple Pencil user. For text-based note-taking, Joplin matches or exceeds Apple Notes on every dimension.
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