punninglinguist

Best lightweight note-taking app?

https://lemmy.world/post/2604802

Best lightweight note-taking app? - Lemmy.world

Looking for an app for note-taking with the following features: - No ads ever - No nudges to upgrade, subscribe, unlock premium features, or any bullshit like that. - No recurring fee (ok paying up-front for the app) - Clean, simple interface That’s it. I don’t need multimedia, multi-device syncing, cloud storage. I just need a place to write down ideas and grocery lists. Recommendations?

Aug 3, 2023 at 10:21pmWeb
Show threadDodecahedron DecemberAug 3, 2023
Obsidian
Show threadmaniajackAug 3, 2023
Love obsidian. For something as simple as what OP is asking for though I just use Google Keep
Show threadHaloAug 3, 2023
I really love it as well. I started using it as an alternative to Notion when I started ditching proprietary crap.
Show threadDessalinesAug 3, 2023

Markor.

Then I also add my notes / docs folder to syncthing, and have it on every device.

Show threadAlmightySnoo 🐢🇮🇱🇺🇦Aug 3, 2023
I used to use Keep Notes by Google. Did the job pretty well but obviously there should be better FOSS & privacy-respecting apps: NoNonesense Notes!
NoNonsense Notes | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

App de bloc de notas y tareas pendientes con soporte a sincronización

Show threadjacktherippahAug 3, 2023
If you liked Google Keep, you might want to check out Quillpad
Quillpad | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

Markdown notes, task lists, Nextcloud sync and more. A fork of the Quillnote app

Show threadvarogenAug 4, 2023
Not bad, but it looks like it doesn’t support collaborative editing which I frequently use on Keep.
Show threadboatswainAug 3, 2023
Obsidian.md. It runs on markdown files, so even if you decide you don’t like Obsidian, you’ve still got all the files. It’s super easy to sync with SyncThing or probably Google Drive or whatever. It’s free, and the are a ton of plugins for it. Peri sure there’s a Lemmy community for it around, too.
Show threadmr_MADAFAKAAug 3, 2023

SimpleNote

This is what I use across all my devices

simplenote.com

Simplenote

The simplest way to keep notes. Light, clean, and free. Simplenote is now available for iOS, Android, Mac, and the web.

Simplenote
Show threadAlien SurferAug 4, 2023
Seconded.
Show threadMajorHavocAug 3, 2023
I found Obsidian good, and Markor the best, on Android.
Show threadᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝Aug 3, 2023

Quillpad is like an open source Google Keep and you can use Nextcloud to sync it all.

Ideally, I’d want a way to import my Google Keep lists into it then I could bin Keep for good.

Quillpad - Typing in Indian Languages has never been easier

Show threadZebraGooseAug 4, 2023
Yeah quillpad is great!
Show threadEager EagleAug 4, 2023
Do I need Nextcloud to synchronize? I like the interface but I don’t really want to use Nextcloud.
Show threadᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝Aug 4, 2023
At the moment, it is Nextcloud but I believe the plan is to give more options.
Show threadsomeguy3Aug 3, 2023

There is Google Keep.

But if you want to degoogle, will I’m reading the thread. I’ve heard of Joplin (spelling?).

Show threadNightOwlAug 4, 2023
I like quillpad from f-droid as my Google keep alternative. Pretty identical to keep aside from the online syncing.
Show threadcalm.like.a.bombAug 4, 2023
I see quillpad has Nextcloud syncing. This is a good start. And I think it’s possible to sync using Syncthing too.
Show threadNightOwlAug 4, 2023
I really need to go and get syncthing setup. Been meaning to in order to sync Steam Deck saves to my PC.
Show threadc24wAug 4, 2023
Not an app, and I haven’t really used it, but tinylist feels quite Google Keepy. You can add it to your home screen, but it doesn’t seem to work offline.
TinyList

A privacy-focused PWA notes/checklists application that syncs instantly across devices.

Show threadstatic09Aug 3, 2023

Notepad++ if you just need to type something up.

Trilium Notes, Logseq, or Obsidian.md if you’re looking for something more advanced.

Self-host something like bookstack, docuwiki, mediawiki, or wikijs for something more… permanent? I wouldn’t really use these to jot something down real quick but I do put a lot of finalized? notes in a wikijs docker image I host.

Show threadfoxfoxAug 3, 2023
Check Notally.
Show threadrnercleAug 3, 2023
+1
Show threadsouthsamuraiAug 3, 2023
Markor. It’s as simple as it gets, but can scale up if you decide to later
Show threadjcrabappleAug 3, 2023
Definitely this. Great app.
Show threadsleepy555Aug 3, 2023

Check out Obsidian. I’ve been trying it out the past couple of weeks and I love it.

obsidian.md

Obsidian - Sharpen your thinking

The free and flexible app for your private thoughts.

Obsidian
Show threadSimonSaysStuffAug 3, 2023
I used Joplin then Obsidian for a long time but recently moved to zettlr on my PC. I use Quillpad on my phone. Both definitely worth a look IMO.
Show threadI_Am_Jacks_____Aug 4, 2023
I switched to Nextcloud Notes from Joplin. Along with my own personal “Google Drive”, Notes is great
Show threadHorseyAug 3, 2023
Notion has been pretty great so far; I recently moved there from Evernote.
Show threadMidnitteAug 4, 2023
Also no offline mode which can be frustrating.
Show threadHaloAug 3, 2023

Notally on F-droid and on the Google Play. It’s FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) and it has all of the features you mentioned. I use it as my everyday note taking app and I have zero complaints so far.

There’s Safe Notes on F-Droid as well, which is pretty much identical to Notally but your notes are encrypted (locally).

Notally | Minimalist Notes | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

A simple and elegant open source notes app

Show threadmasterofn001Aug 4, 2023

f-droid.org/…/com.simplemobiletools.notes.pro/

This and others by simple are exactly that.

Notes. Gallery.Dialer. keyboard. Clock.

No ads. Absolutely zero unnecessary permissions. No telemetry or sneaky internet connections.

Simple Notes Pro | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

To do list widget with a notebook organizer, checklist, simple shopping list

Show threadsaturnarcAug 4, 2023
I’ve always used ColorNote. It does have several advanced features but they’re all optional. It’s been updated for 5 years now and basically hasn’t changed. Still free, no ads, easy to use. A rare exception on the Play Store. Whole app only 4Mb.
Show threadLaticaudaAug 4, 2023
ColourNote has been the best one I’ve found.
Show threadinsoAug 4, 2023
Carnet on f droid.
Show threadiasad12Aug 4, 2023
Obsidian, Hands down.
Show threadHeliumb0yAug 4, 2023
This definitely, also cross platform. So what more do you want…
Show threadLunchAug 4, 2023
Not open-source though sadly 😔
Show threadPhillySaxonAug 4, 2023
Not open source but the data portability is on a level nothing else matches!
Show threadalfredalpacaAug 4, 2023
But all your notes are just md files. It’s straightforward that way
Show threadkellenoffdagrid❓️Aug 4, 2023
I absolutely second this, if you aren’t worried about built-in syncing (I use Syncthing to solve this, also cool piece of software), and if you really like the idea of Markdown/text-only notes with image/file attachments, there is absolutely no better tool. Plus, if you think you can get value out of the note linking feature, you can make some incredibly detailed knowledge bases. Really powerful tool when you need it to be, dead simple note-taking by default, it’s a damn good app
Show threadconrad82Aug 4, 2023

Apps:

Self-hosted:

Kvaesitso launcher also has built in note widget that can be linked to same local file as in an app. github.com/MM2-0/Kvaesitso

Zettel Notes : Markdown App - Apps on Google Play

App based on Zettelkasten method with markdown support and synchronization

Show threadAlien SurferAug 4, 2023
I like QuickEdit
Show threadtrimmerfrostAug 4, 2023
Element for Matrix. I know weird, but that’s how I like it
Show threadAzuraAug 4, 2023
Do you send messages to yourself? Is this a thing you can do? I never tried. That would be pretty cool
Show threadtrimmerfrostAug 4, 2023
Something like that. I created a new space with just me, with encrypted rooms for each topic. Random Thoughts, Books, Movies I Like, etc
Show threadAzuraAug 4, 2023
I think you’ve inspired me. I’m gonna try this.
Show threadAlmightySnoo 🐢🇮🇱🇺🇦Aug 4, 2023
I used to do this a long time ago with Facebook. I’d write notes with visibility set to myself only.
Show threadguangmingAug 4, 2023
I’ve been using Notally for a while and I think it checks all your boxes.
Show threadHerbalGamerAug 4, 2023
Very much agreed.
Show threadMargot RobbieAug 4, 2023
I use OneNote usually, easy formating and works well on PC and mobile. Notion is cool too, but has a lot more features than a simple note taking app.
Show threadmaudefiAug 4, 2023

Quillnote + Signal’s “note to self”

You can find Quillnote in both Droid and Google’s Play Store.

Show threadDeftdrummerAug 4, 2023
Google keep works fine for me.
Show threadeco_gameAug 4, 2023
I use Another Notes App. It’s super basic but that’s exactly what I need.
Another notes app | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

Another notes app, like there have been tens of thousands before.

Show threadOgygusAug 4, 2023

.txt file + syncthing

For true rebels: pen and paper

Show threadDagwood222Aug 4, 2023

According to this article, and others I’ve seen pen and paper is still best.

digitaltrends.com/…/handwritten-vs-keyboard-notes….

Keyboard or pen and paper? Here’s what science says is better for taking notes

Handwritten notes allegedly stick in your brain better, but keyboards give an obvious speed advantage when taking notes. But which one helps you learn best?

Digital Trends
Show threadHazdazAug 4, 2023
Great, now how about a sketching app that follows all the same criteria that OP mentioned. Something for quick and dirty sketches. Nothing fancy. One that can do sketches and notes would be even better.
Show threadDiscoslugsAug 4, 2023
I use signal mesagaing app. They have a note to self feature thats awesome.
Show threadkellenoffdagrid❓️Aug 4, 2023
Not sure how I never found out about this feature before but this is awesome, thanks for sharing it!
Show threadgraymanAug 4, 2023

Color Note

It meets every item on your list.