Best Turtl Alternatives in 2026
The top Turtl alternatives are Joplin, Standard Notes and Notesnook: 15 secure notes apps our editors would look at instead of Turtl, in our ranking order.
Turtl: Turtl combines encrypted notes, sharing, offline access, and self-hosting. Where it falls short: iOS support is coming soon.
Switching from Turtl? For most secure notes apps buyers the best Turtl alternative is Joplin, built for broad, low-cost encrypted notes across platforms. On a budget, Notesnook starts at $1.67/mo.
Why People Look for a Turtl Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallJoplin9.2
Broad, low-cost encrypted notes across platforms
Visit Joplin - Lowest priceNotesnook8.8
Paid plans from $1.67/mo
Visit Notesnook - Best free optionJoplin9.2
Has a free plan
Visit Joplin
All 15 Turtl Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forBroad, low-cost encrypted notes across platforms
- Better than Turtl:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.0
A flexible, low-cost choice for encrypted notes across desktop, mobile, and web.
- Offline access
- Open source
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Joplin -
Best forCross-platform encrypted notes with rich editors
- Better than Turtl:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.0
A privacy-focused notes app with offline editing and several editor types.
- Offline access
- Open source
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Standard Notes -
Best forAffordable encrypted notes with integrations
- Better than Turtl:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.0
A low-cost encrypted notes app with broad platform coverage and useful integrations.
- Offline access
- Open source
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Notesnook -
Best forPrivacy-focused personal note-taking across devices
- Better than Turtl:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 8.0
A privacy-focused notes workspace with offline access and broad platform coverage.
- File attachments
- Offline access
- Open source
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit PrivacyNotes -
Best forEncrypted notes with large storage options
- Better than Turtl:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 8.0
A privacy-focused notes and storage app with offline access and plans up to 2000 GB.
- File attachments
- Offline access
- Open source
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Cryptee -
Best forSelf-hosters who want flexible sync and clipping
- Better than Turtl:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 8.0
A flexible, open-source notes setup for people comfortable choosing and managing their own sync.
- Offline access
- Open source
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit QOwnNotes -
Best forEncrypted collaborative knowledge management
- Better than Turtl:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 8.0
A broad, privacy-focused workspace for structured knowledge and encrypted teamwork.
- Offline access
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Anytype -
Best forSecure notes with device sync and sharing
A privacy-focused notes app with offline editing, sharing, and optional encrypted sync.
- Offline access
- Open source
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Dash -
Best forSelf-hosted encrypted notes with rich media
A self-hosted vault for encrypted notes, rich media, diagrams, search, and version history.
- File attachments
- Open source
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit OpenVLT -
Best forSelf-hosted encrypted web notes
A focused web notes app for people who want encrypted storage on hardware they control.
- Open source
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Lockpad -
Best forEncrypted web notes with attachments and sync
A capable open-source encrypted notes app, limited by its web-only scope and archived status.
- File attachments
- Offline access
- Open source
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit ZeroNote -
Best forEncrypted Markdown notes with GitHub sync
A free, local-first secure notes app for Markdown users who want GitHub sync.
- Offline access
- Open source
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit VaultNote -
Best forFree encrypted notes on major platforms
A free, open-source secure notes app with device-side encryption and offline access.
- Offline access
- Open source
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Notyra -
Best forFree encrypted notes across trusted computers
A free, privacy-focused notes app for syncing encrypted content across trusted computers.
- Offline access
- Open source
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Paste -
Best forPrivate mobile notes with media support
A mobile-first private notes app with offline storage, media, and encrypted sync.
- File attachments
- Offline access
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Snug
Turtl Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Turtl?
Joplin: #1 in our Secure Notes Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A flexible, low-cost choice for encrypted notes across desktop, mobile, and web.
Is there a free alternative to Turtl?
Yes. Joplin, Standard Notes, Notesnook, PrivacyNotes and Cryptee have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Turtl alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from Turtl?
Export your data from Turtl (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Turtl.
How to Switch from Turtl
- Export your data from Turtl (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Turtl.
Turtl vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Encryption model | Offline access | Open source | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Turtl | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | ||
| 1 | Joplin | Yes | €2.40/mo | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Standard Notes | Yes | $90/yr | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 3 | Notesnook | Yes | $1.67/mo | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 4 | PrivacyNotes | Yes | End_to_end | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 5 | Cryptee | Yes | €3/mo | End_to_end | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 6 | QOwnNotes | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 7 | Anytype | Yes | Yes | No | 8.2 | ||
| 8 | Dash | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 9 | OpenVLT | Free | End_to_end | Yes | 7.8 | ||
| 10 | Lockpad | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.7 | ||
| 11 | ZeroNote | Yes | Free | Local | Yes | Yes | 7.6 |
| 12 | VaultNote | Yes | Free | End_to_end | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
| 13 | Notyra | Yes | Free | End_to_end | Yes | Yes | 7.3 |
| 14 | Paste | Yes | Free | End_to_end | Yes | Yes | 7.2 |
| 15 | Snug | Yes | Local | Yes | 7.1 |
Head-to-Head
- Turtl vs Joplin
- Turtl vs Standard Notes
- Turtl vs Notesnook
- Turtl vs PrivacyNotes
- Turtl vs Cryptee
- Turtl vs QOwnNotes
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update