Sustainable Substitutes for Apple Notes

A Big Tech Note Taking app, increasing Apple's lock-in efforts.

apple-notes logo

Reasons to avoid Apple Notes

Using Apple Notes increases vendor lock-in and it's proprietary nature raises privacy concerns.

Apple supports the Trump administration and deploys tax avoidance schemes. Opt for an independent Note Taking app.

Ethical and Sustainable Apple Notes Alternatives

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  • Feasibility: How easily can the average user switch to this substitute? Higher feasibility results in a higher ranking.
  • Editor's Rating: How sustainable is the substitute? The more sustainability attributes it fulfils, the higher it is ranked.
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HedgeDoc

A free and open-source collaborative markdown editor ideal for self-hosting.

HedgeDoc is designed to be self-hosted, giving users full control over their instance and data.
HedgeDoc is free to use, though hosting costs may apply if self-hosting.
HedgeDoc can be used without creating an account, especially on public instances.
HedgeDoc does not track users, and data control rests with the instance administrator, making it privacy-friendly.
HedgeDoc is fully open-source, allowing anyone to contribute to or modify the codebase.
HedgeDoc is completely free of advertisements.
Website

Nextcloud Notes

Nextcloud is a German self-hostable, open-source cloud storage and collaboration platform.

Nextcloud syncs files to your device. You can edit files offline and changes will sync automatically once you reconnect to the internet.
Nextcloud is fully compatible with Microsoft Office and OpenDocument formats.
Nextcloud allows for real-time same-document collaboration.
Some third party providers offer free plans with up to 5GB of storage. The self-hostable community edition is free and without licensing costs.
Nextcloud became the first cloud software platform to earn the Blauer Engel ecolabel, emphasizing environmental responsibility.
Nextcloud is designed to be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
Nextcloud is based in Germany, ensuring compliance with strong European privacy laws.
Nextcloud’s core software is fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and community-driven development.
Nextcloud does not track users or sell personal data, ensuring a private and secure experience with optional end-to-end encryption.
Nextcloud is ad free and does not monetise user-data.
Website

Standard Notes

An open-source note-taking app with a focus on privacy and security via end-to-end encryption.

Standard Notes is ad-free, providing a clean and distraction-free note-taking experience.
Standard Notes offers a free tier, with optional paid plans for additional features and to support the project.
Standard Notes can be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
Standard Notes works offline, allowing users to access and edit notes without an internet connection.
Standard Notes is designed with privacy as a core principle, using end-to-end encryption for all user data.
Since its acquisition by Proton, Standard Notes is based in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with strong European privacy laws.
Standard Notes is fully open-source, allowing for community review and contributions, ensuring transparency and trust.
Website

Joplin

Joplin is an extensible, open-source note-taking app, working offline and anonymously.

Joplin is fully functional offline, syncing changes when an internet connection is available.
Joplin supports plugins, allowing users to add custom functionality.
Joplin is free to use, with optional paid cloud sync services.
Joplin does not require an account for local use, making it accessible without registration.
Joplin offers end-to-end encryption for syncing, ensuring that user data remains private.
Joplin is fully open-source, allowing users to audit, modify, or contribute to the code.
Joplin is free of advertisements.
Joplin supports self-hosting, giving users the option to host their own sync server.
Website

Cryptpad Code

CryptPad is a French secure, collaborative Google Docs alternative.

Cryptpad supports open data standards and is fully compatible with Microsoft Office and open document formats.
Cryptpad offers a free tier, with optional paid plans for additional features and to support the project.
CryptPad is ad-free, providing a clean and distraction-free collaborative experience.
Cryptpad is fully open-source, allowing for community review and contributions, ensuring transparency and trust.
Cryptpad is based in France, ensuring compliance with GDPR and strong European privacy laws.
Cryptpad is designed with privacy as a core principle, using end-to-end encryption for all user data.
Cryptpad can be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
CryptPad allows for real-time same-document collaboration.
Website
obsidian logo

Obsidian

A flexible and open app for storing and publishing notes on any device.

Obsidian is free for local use, with optional paid features for syncing and publishing.
Obsidian does not require an account for local use, allowing users to work entirely offline if desired.
Obsidian supports a robust plugin ecosystem, enabling users to extend its functionality.
Obsidian works fully offline, as it relies on local files that sync when a connection is available.
Obsidian prioritises local-first storage, and any syncing is opt-in and encrypted, ensuring user privacy.
Obsidian does not display any advertisements.
Website

The 4 main issues with Apple Notes

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

While Apple markets itself as privacy-focused, Apple Notes and other services still collect and process user data. The company has faced criticism for its handling of user privacy, including delays in addressing security vulnerabilities and concerns over data access for targeted advertising.Source: Wikipedia: Criticism of Apple Inc. > Data privacy, transparency, and fair use

Big Tech - Big Tech companies do not nourish people and planet. This is especially true in times of political tension.

Apple is one of the largest tech companies, contributing to market monopolisation and pricey products. NPR: How 5 Tech Giants Have Become More Like Governments Than Companies (2017)

Tax Avoidance - Aggressive strategies are being deployed to avoid paying taxes.

Apple is trying to avoid paying any taxes in the EU. In 2024 it has been fined 13 Billion Euros for illegal tax arrangements with Ireland Source: Wikipedia: Apple's EU tax dispute (2024)

Support of Authoritarian Regimes - Companies actively supporting, financing and legitimising regimes and unethical policies.

Apple is financing Donald Trumps plans to create a new ballroom in the white house, hoping to benefit from upcoming laws. Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 Million to Trumps inauguration fund.Sources: OpenSecrets: Trump ballroom donors poised to benefit from AI plan they helped shape (2026)Gizmodo: Tim Cook Is Latest Tech Exec to Kiss the Ring, Gives Trump’s Inauguration $1 Million (2025)

Suggestions and Feedback

If you have suggestions for more alternatives or general feedback, please contact me via email or create an issue over on Codeberg. Suggest Substitute on Codeberg Write an Email