Hello everyone, I’d like your recommendations for a note taking app that:

  • Can be selfhosted
  • Stores the notes as plain text or *.md files, not some SQL database.
  • Can use Marddown format.
  • Have an android client or at least a mobile optimized web-interface.
  • Not a must but it would be nice to have a to-do list option.

I tried:

  • Trilium: use an encrypted litesql to store the notes.
  • Joplin: does not encrypt the notes, but store them in random named directories, making ot harder finding the notes.
  • Logseq: No firefox support, I did not check how it stores itsdatabase.
  • Standard note: Need subscriptions to selfhost or to use markdown format.
  • Memos: does not store plain files, instead uses a (sqlite probably) database even when setting local filesystem as current object storage.
  • CodiMD: use database to store its notes
  • Hedgedoc: the same as above

The closest I found so far is Obsidian, which:

  • Unfortunately, does not have any selfhosting option.
  • Have a client app on every platform and store.
  • Can use a custom directory to store it database as plain text files, whuch can be a network mounted directory (on my laptop/desktop) or a directory on my android phone that i will have to keep synchronized using a third party app.

Edit: March-2nd: added memos, codimd, hedgedoc

  • ebits21@lemmy.ca
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    7 months ago

    Obsidian + Syncthing is what I’ve settled on. Not perfect, but the best I’ve used.

    • isles@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      Same combo, can use it on android (and probably iOS), windows, linux; the plugins really extend Obsidian’s abilities.

      • Gutless2615@ttrpg.network
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        7 months ago

        Can not really use on iOS unfortunately. iOS is awful about allowing other apps to sync in the background.

        • ebits21@lemmy.ca
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          7 months ago

          I do with Mobius and it’s usable. I have a Synology NAS always there at home to sync to though. (Mobius syncs 1-2 hours per day in the background but it’s dynamic and not predictable thanks to Apple).

          If I didn’t syncing between iOS devices would probably not work very well.

          Yes instant syncing with iOS requires you to open the app if you can’t wait. I’ll often open Mobius if I’m working back and forth to make sure it syncs instantly.

    • brilokuloj@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      This is what I’m using and it’s perfect for my use case. Tried more elaborate setups and it just wasn’t worth it. I also use it with my household over LAN.