Currently I’m using Joplin with Syncthing-backed file system synchronization. I’m pretty pleased with it, as I do like tagging- and Markdown-based systems.
I plan to upgrade to server-based synchronization, but before doing that, however, I wanted to see what other people are using.
Edit: So far I see a slight favor towards Joplin and Logseq, but I totally didn’t expect (and appreciate) getting so many different answers.
I use Vscode with markdown preview, with a git repo. The only downside is that Windows incessantly wants to group instances of an application, so it’s hard to keep my notes separate from my coding stuff.
orgmode with neovim on PC and orgzly on phone. syncing with syncthing
Edit: I’m actually using orgzly revived, a community maintained version of orgzly, since orgzly is no longer mantained
For anyone who is interested in note taking in your everyday editor like vim or emacs, orgmode is an emacs tool (in neovim there is a clone plugin) for note taking, todos, agendas, etc. It uses a format similar to markdown, and a good part is that with the orgzly app you receive notifications for your events. So basically you can use orgmode as a calendar as well (I do!).
Trilium. Tried a bunch but fell in love with this one. Others either didn’t have support for inline math or weren’t wysiwyg (Joplin). Also easy syncing between computers with its own server in docker, and it even doubles as a web version of the app.
I’m using trilium and very happy with it.
I still use Keep. That have yet to fuck it up, but I’m sure they will eventually. Just like every god damn thing they do.
Xed
It opens quickly
I use Obsidian - it’s phenomenal! https://avidandrew.com/elevate-your-note-taking-with-obsidian.html
For long-term, permanent notes, I’m using Obsidian with Nextcloud and FolderSync Pro (which I also use for backing up some Android stuff to my Nextcloud).
For quick, easy notes while on the go (or that I need quick access to while out and about), I use Memos, which is more of a Google Keep replacement.
I personally like Nextcloud notes for quick notes and nextcloud collectives for detailed stuff e.g revision. With nextcloud tables and deck it makes a great notion replacement
notepad
VSCode + Foam + gitea (+ hexcalidraw if you want to draw)
Hypernotes. Work on every platform.
neovim + git with gitea/forgejo
Joplin as well, syching my 3 devices with the WebDAV option. I checked a few other options about a year ago and Joplin seemed the best.
Joplin is where I landed, as well as hosting my own Joplin Server.
If Obsidian allowed a free self hosted option, I would have picked it over Joplin. (Yes, I tried the free plugin, but it at times wouldn’t sync correctly and I would end up losing notes.)
I’ve been running the Joplin server for over a year with clients on four laptops and three phones and share notes with my wife and its wonderful. There are certainly quirks and sometimes sync issues but by and large I’m really happy with it. There seems to be one cluster of notes I have that always irritates a fresh client sync and it shows up at 50 conflicts but I work through it. Also my notebooks are huge and the first sync can take an hour. It’s a lot slower than I’d expect.
I’ve been running Joplin server for about two years now, and I concur. It’s been great.