Joplin Cloud

YES

Replaceable in one session with an AI coding agent.

Open-source notes with end-to-end encrypted sync, a web clipper and Markdown storage. Only the hosted sync service is paid.

Promptfree, for everyone, and the only version there is

The app is free. Sync through storage you already have.

WHAT IS ACTUALLY PAID
- Only the sync service. The apps on every platform cost nothing

THE ALTERNATIVES, IN ORDER
- WebDAV on your own server: the best fit, since Joplin speaks it natively
- S3-compatible storage: also supported, and cheap
- Any file sync folder, which works but conflicts more often

ENCRYPTION
- Turn on end-to-end encryption before the first sync, not after
- Enabling it later re-uploads everything and the window in between was in plain text

BACKUPS ARE NOT SYNC
- Sync propagates a deletion. A separate nightly export to a second location is the actual backup
- Test restoring one before you rely on it

Include the WebDAV setup, the encryption order and the export job.

What you lose

Sync that works without you configuring storage, which is the only paid part
Published note links from the hosted service
Somebody keeping the sync server available

If you would rather not build

Any Markdown folder in a synced directory

The escape hatch

open source · no votes, no paid placement

Joplin

The apps themselves, free, with WebDAV and S3 sync built in.

laurent22/joplinfree · open source

Syncthing

Peer-to-peer sync with no server, if you would rather avoid WebDAV.

syncthing/syncthingfree · open source

Why this verdict

our own opinion · changed only by a person

88/100

Verdict yes at 88. The app is free and speaks WebDAV; the fee is convenience. Enabling encryption before the first sync is the detail people get wrong.

History

tracked since 10 Aug 2026 · nothing is ever overwritten

Interest · last 30 dayspeak 1/day

0113 Jul18 Jul23 Jul28 Jul2 Aug7 Aug11 Aug

— views— prompt copies none yet— votes none yet

Questions about Joplin Cloud

answered from the record above

Is Joplin Cloud free?

No — the plan we track is $2.99 a month. Basic at around €2.99/month; the app itself is free and can sync through storage you already have.

Can you replace Joplin Cloud by building your own?

YES. Replaceable in one session with an AI coding agent. Replacement score 88 out of 100, build time one session. Read what you lose before you decide.

How much does Joplin Cloud cost?

$2.99 a month on Basic — $35.88 a year. Recorded 10 Aug 2026.

What do you lose by replacing Joplin Cloud?

Sync that works without you configuring storage, which is the only paid part; Published note links from the hosted service; Somebody keeping the sync server available. If any of those carry weight for you, keep paying.

Is there an open-source alternative to Joplin Cloud?

Yes: Joplin, Syncthing. The prompt on this page is for when you want it your way instead.

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