QOwnNotes vs Turtl

QOwnNotes8.3Visit TTurtl8.0Visit

Higher score QOwnNotes #6 in Secure Notes Apps 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit QOwnNotes

vs

T Turtl #8 in Secure Notes Apps 8.0/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Turtl

• QOwnNotes fits best

  Self-hosters who want flexible sync and clipping

• Turtl fits best

  Encrypted notes with sharing and self-hosting

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Side by side

Feature	QOwnNotes 8.3/10 Visit ↗	TTurtl 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.3	8.0
Ranking	#6 in Secure Notes Apps	#8 in Secure Notes Apps
Best for	Self-hosters who want flexible sync and clipping	Encrypted notes with sharing and self-hosting
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension	Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome extension	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Community, Docs	Community
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features QOwnNotes 2/3 · Turtl 2/3
Offline access	✓	✓
Open source	✓	✓
File attachments	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Encryption model	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	web, windows, macos, linux, android, chrome_extension	windows, macos, linux, android, chrome_extension
Export formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Stores notes as plain-text Markdown files Offers optional AES-256 encryption, offline Android editing, and recovery Supports clipping, sharing, and sync through several services	Client-side encryption with offline operation and later synchronization Permission-based sharing across organized Spaces Open-source server supports self-hosting
Cons	Desktop sync depends on Nextcloud, ownCloud, or another service Encryption is optional rather than the central default The setup may not suit buyers seeking a managed, all-in-one service	iOS support is coming soon Business is the only listed tier with dedicated support Multiple note types may exceed the needs of simple note takers
Our verdict	QOwnNotes is a free, open-source Markdown note-taking application for people who want their notes stored as plain-text files and prefer control over synchronization. Desktop apps are available for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows, with an… Read the review →	Turtl is an encrypted note-taking and organization app for individuals, families, and teams. It supports text, bookmark, password, image, and file/document notes, with Spaces for organizing and sharing content. Permission controls include… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• QOwnNotes — where it wins

  • Stores notes as plain-text Markdown files
  • Offers optional AES-256 encryption, offline Android editing, and recovery
  • Supports clipping, sharing, and sync through several services

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop sync depends on Nextcloud, ownCloud, or another service
  • Encryption is optional rather than the central default
  • The setup may not suit buyers seeking a managed, all-in-one service

• Turtl — where it wins

  • Client-side encryption with offline operation and later synchronization
  • Permission-based sharing across organized Spaces
  • Open-source server supports self-hosting

  Where it doesn't

  • iOS support is coming soon
  • Business is the only listed tier with dedicated support
  • Multiple note types may exceed the needs of simple note takers

• QOwnNotes8.3/10 · Free plan

  A flexible, open-source notes setup for people comfortable choosing and managing their own sync.

  Visit QOwnNotesFull verdict →
• TTurtl8.0/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  Turtl combines encrypted notes, sharing, offline access, and self-hosting.

  Visit TurtlFull verdict →