The Best Note-Taking App For Linux Users: Standard Notes Review

A good note-taking app is hard to find nowadays, especially with Evernote not being quite what it used to be. After trying a handful of note apps on Linux, I finally settled on Standard Notes. Here's why.
Check out Standard Notes here ➜ standardnotes.com
Brand New Udemy Courses Available!
Check out my new courses on Udemy and take your learning even further!
• Ansible Course ➜ learnlinux.link/ansible
• Linux Essentials Course ➜ learnlinux.link/linux-essentials
5% discount on LPI exam vouchers
After you finish Jay's new course, get 5% off an LPI exam voucher here:
➜ learnlinux.link/lpi-voucher
Check out the Linux Shop
In the official shop, you'll find Shirts, hats, stickers, bags and more!
➜ merch.learnlinux.tv
Become a Patron
Show your support for Learn Linux TV on Patreon and get access to exclusive perks!
➜ learnlinux.link/patron
Become a Channel Member
Show your support for Learn Linux TV here on KZbin and get access to exclusive perks!
➜ learnlinux.link/member
Mastering Ubuntu Server: 4th Edition
Jay's latest book covers everything you need to know in order to master Ubuntu Server. It's available here:
➜ ubuntuserverbook.com
Linux Gear and Kits
Check out Jay's choice of hardware products, audio/video equipment, and more.
➜ learnlinux.link/amazon
Grab an awesome Pi-powered KVM
Support Learn Linux TV and grab yourself a TinyPilot KVM here:
➜ learnlinux.link/tinypilot
Note: Royalties and/or commission is earned from each of the above links
Time Codes
00:00 - Intro
01:52 - Two brand-new Udemy courses available!
02:48 - Basic overview of Standard Notes
03:38 - What I like about Standard Notes
05:00 - Standard Notes Syncing Features
06:02 - Some Downsides of Standard Notes
Full Courses from Learn Linux TV
• Linux Essentials Certification Workshop ➜ learnlinux.link/lpi-course
• Linux Crash Course series ➜ linux.video/cc
• Learn how to use tmux ➜ linux.video/tmux
• Learn how to use vim ➜ linux.video/vim
• Bash Scripting Series ➜ linux.video/bash
• Proxmox VE Cluster Full Course ➜ linux.video/pve
• Learn Ansible ➜ linux.video/ansible
Learn Linux TV on the Web
• Main site ➜ www.learnlinux.tv
• Community ➜ community.learnlinux.tv
• Enterprise Linux Security Podcast ➜ enterpriselinuxsecurity.show
• The Homelab Show Podcast ➜ thehomelab.show
• Content Ethics ➜ www.learnlinux.tv/content-ethics
• Request Assistance ➜ www.learnlinux.tv/request-ass...
Disclaimer
Learn Linux TV provides technical content that will hopefully be helpful to you and teach you something new. However, this content is provided without any warranty (expressed or implied). Learn Linux TV is not responsible for any damages that may arise from any use of this content. The person viewing Learn Linux TV's content is expected to follow their best judgement and to make their best decisions while working with any related technology. Always make sure you have written permission before working with any infrastructure. Also, be sure that you're compliant with all company rules, change control procedures, and local laws.
#linux #apps #productivity

[@Tyrannocaster]

I've been using Cherry Tree on linux and Windows for a few years, and it's the best one for my purposes. I like the cross platform capability, it doesn't require an internet connection, and it hasn't crashed once on either OS. It holds massive amounts of material in easily organized chapters and sub-chapters. Works for me, and it's free.

[@iPondR]

Agree :)

[@klebleonard]

Last time I tried it, it required an account and cloud sync, so thats a big no for me. Switched to Joplin and it works well

[@Kevin-oj2uo]

You can self host the standard notes server.

[@qweerty9869]

I've been using Standard Notes for years (for free, not the paid subscription) and never made an account. Not sure what you're referring to

[@MySqueezingArm]

I second the Joplin recommendation which I sync to my Nextcloud.

[@KalakadaMarhomeen]

😢😂

[@paddymurphy-oconnor8255]

You have to create a profile (account) to use Standard Notes. You are required to have a username and password.

[@fretbuzzly]

Biggest downside is it's very expensive for a notes app. You can get 6 full Office installs and 6 TB of OneDrive for the same price as a single SN sub.

[@stephenanthony5923]

I like Anytype A LOT. Markdown folks may not like the visual drag and drop UI but the learn curve is well worth it

[@iraqinationalist7778]

Nah, simplicity is the best

[@neutral_positron]

Obsidian for me

[@castigo1986]

Ehi Jay! I loved the series you did when you wrote you last book and this now video on note-taking came just at the right time for me. How about a video about bibliography and citation management for linux for the academics out there? Thanks Jay!

[@meh.7539]

I'mma stick with Obsidian...

[@renovxperts]

Awesome intro Jay!

[@ps2-one]

Can I spin up a docker container and sync across devices? Do we need an account for this?

[@michelborer7055]

Apparently, even simple markdown is gated behind the $90/year paywall. That's yearly, not a single purchase. I'm not paying for markdown, I'm certainly not paying $90 and there's no way I'm paying that much each year. I can just keep text files on my nas if I require syncing, no notetaking app required. Also, the Linux version of this app is an appimage. Even if I were paying for a notetaking app, I'm not paying for an appimage. I feel like this app is a very poor value proposition - even the free version.

[@viktor4840]

Cool app, thanks for introducing. Does it have zettelkasten functionality?

[@daveys]

I started using Zim for my notes after watching a video about notes apps where the guy was looking for an open source, cross platform, plain text app. Solid app and does what I need.

[@Technopath47]

I'd very much like to see a comparison between Standard Notes and Obsidian in particular. I primarily use Obsidian but been curious about Standard Notes so I'm wondering where they differ beyond the additional note-taking formats with Standard Notes.

[@jojobobbubble5688]

This looks super slick and like it might meet the needs I've had unmet. Definitely going to look into it. Does it export to PDFs without having to download extra stuff?

[@actcityottawa]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will try it out. I am a senior just trying to learn Linux (Ubuntu). What do you suggest to get me up to speed. Thanks, Kman, Sooke, BC

[@iPondR]

Linux Mint as your OS - it looks like Windows. Then get 'Cherrytree notes' as a comparison... see how you go (use the software manager in Mint). Use a note taking app to copy in useful terminal commands and keep track of how you installed things etc. - good luck! You should at least know the basics e.g. 'pwd' & 'ls' & 'cpy' - also how to verify your .ISO (sha256sum) will be simple if you know a bit of terminal [try ctrl+alt+T] Keep track of web links & articles (help & explainers) also in the note app. What I wrote above will make sense as you muddle your way through : ]

[@mathias4863]

Thanks for the review. I am using it for years with a plan. The linux app is fragile and i use the browser. A big drawback of the browser version is the search. You will get a list of the notes containing the search string but the hits are not marked like on the app. With the plan you get regularly an e-mail with a encrypted backup, which helped me a lot if i accidentally deleted a note.

[@speedup070605]

This look promising, thanks for sharing. Is it possible for you to create a tutorial on how you deploy this in docker or via portainer?

[@TheOtherQuintin]

On of the really key features of any note taking app for me is having a "web clipper" browser extension. There is one for FF and chrome, although it looks pretty basic.

[@KKop]

Does it import from Evernote?

[@michaelsims7728]

I love Obsidian it's very cool the way it link notes.

[@Pepperpot666]

What i really liked with Standard Notes is that it is joining with "Proton" and the whole encryption aspect. What I did not like was the missing print function and the missing export to PDF. Why use Markdown within the app if you only can export text.

[@juanmacias5922]

Might be that I never really got into note apps, but I'm pretty comfortable with my flow, nvim with .md files, and anki for note cards lol

[@Christobanistan]

I use a plain text file. Easily searchable, can store it anywhere, and works super well.

[@djcmike]

Hmm I don't know. I'd like to get a notes app that would work with sync on nextcloud and be multiplatform. I know I can just use the build in notes app on nextcloud, but I don't like being in my browser all the time.

[@abunk8691]

TL;DR: Standard Notes IS ELECTRON BASED if you don't like that move on. Had to search what Standard Notes was based on before watching. Pretty much a web app based on web technologies like TypeScript, JavaScript, and most of all its Electron based (which I like that it was mentioned on the downsides section of the video near the end). I will have to pass on it since I like native apps and avoid Electron based ones if possible since they can not perform that well on lower end devices. But being web based gives it the convenience of integrating with their cloud based storage and services. Lack of printing is weird though since some note taking apps effectively generate HTML for the preview section that is printable.

[@Man-xk9rz]

Never liked apps that used electron as their base. Lower end devices are completely left out of the equation.

[@abunk8691]

@@Man-xk9rz Yep agree with you. I use QOwnNotes as my note taking app for that reason since it runs native based on C++ and Qt and not a web app. One of the most bloated mess I've used that is MS Teams as just opening the site eats a lot of ram. Teams used to be Electron based and used about 400mb~1.2gb ram typically, but since their 2.0 update and move to Edge Web View its more like 2gb upon the long load of the page.

[@Christobanistan]

Also no dark mode. Such a minimal effort to support this, yet the devs won't put in that tiny, tiny effort. So fuck them.

[@abunk8691]

@@Christobanistan -The lack of dark mode is odd considering it uses web technologies and that they use Sass/Scss for CSS styling and adding a second color palette and applying it shouldn't be too difficult.- Checked their Pull Request history and there's 3 entries relating to dark mode. With a bit more searching their setup a bit weird. The built in dark mode is only for paid tiers. Alternatively there's community made themes for dark mode. Still weird though that they have it that way (considering that most apps and web apps have dark mode available as an option to everyone) where dark mode is unavailable by default when using it for free.

[@Man-xk9rz]

@@Christobanistan I agree. No dark mode. No service. It's that fucking simple.

[@Adiusza]

Very interesting video, I personally use Anytype

[@didzisuzulins2092]

Jay, You should have mentioned that Standard Notes recently was acquired by Proton (just checked on both of their blogs it was on April 10). Personally I use Trillium Notes, what also is Electron based app and runs local web server, but your video shows that Standard Notes has similar features and looks less over-complicated than Trillium Notes. Also Trillium Notes has kind a nightmare sync solution I haven't tried because of security concerns. So I'll give a try to Standard Notes in VM. 🙂

[@BorgSwarm]

I'm a big fan of Trilum notes myself. I normally access my self-hosted server via the WebUI and it works great for me. I do have the app installed on a couple of my computers and it syncs just fine the way I have it setup. But to be fair I rarely actually use the app as the WebUI does everything need it to.

[@jothain]

Selfhosting this will allow all features?

[@Zodeeac]

No, apparently not. You can unlock "server side premium features, but not client-side premium features" via a manual change in the db. After doing this, the linux client basically only allows for syncing plain text notes; spreadsheets and to so-called "Super" Note Types are still locked. Only the "Super" Note type offers any markup functionality. Other completely basic functionality like folders are locked in "advanced features", even when self-hosting this. To unlock those, they require a offline subscription that is 113.42 $ for 5 years, that seems to be the cheapest option.

[@jothain]

@@Zodeeac Thanks for the input. Looks like I'll likely still keep looking on for similar apps.

[@el_jamos]

​@@jothainlook for a fork of standard notes called "Standard Notium". Im the the developer of it and it has the premium stuff unlocked with a focus on it being 100% local

[@DeirdreYoung1]

Obsidian is very popular - could you do a review of it please?

[@mitcoes]

Marknote, Obsidian and simplenote (yes 3 copies) are my choices.

[@Practical-IT]

Ive been teat driving Obsidian lately. Looking at rolling my own sync with a cron job and a raync/rclone script.

[@adamk.7177]

Rsync is a good one too. You can set up a script and do the same type of cron job. It's super easy.

[@brantknudson8194]

look at syncthing I've been using it and it's great. Easier than I thought it would be.

[@feieralarm]

I'm currently using Obsidian, but since I already have Proton Unlimited, it's very likely I'll switch to Standard Notes eventually, once Proton has fully integrated Standard Notes into their other services.

[@darren537]

Emacs org mode or doom orgmode

[@RichardShortland-Neal]

It looks a good app and even though it is probably going to be included with Proton subscriptions at some point it’s not enough to keep me with Proton given their patchy Linux support and half completed apps.

[@stemid85]

I stopped making notes on interesting commands and started using the cheat utility instead. Now I simply add to my personal cheatsheets and store them in git.

[@Man-xk9rz]

I just write my notes in .txt files.

[@AndersonNSilva-mw7kl]

I just write it down on paper. No hacker gonna steal them from me.

[@traestorm]

They implemented 2FA but can't implement printing?!? That's a problem. The free tier seems useless considering I can't even use markdow with it, it itonly supports 100MB of storage, and no offline notes support. To solve all of this, I'd have to pay ~30% more than a Microsoft 365 subscription costs me. I understand the diffetences here but that seems very high considering what you get.

[@majorgear1021]

Bear Notes for me. markdown, inline attachments, fast sync to mobile devices, and tags.

[@nomadland0702]

Hi everyone , I am Linux lover from HK, recently I am taking a challenge to study LPIC examination. I have successfully passed LPIC lv1 and lv2 . However, when I try to study LPIC 305 virtualization and containerization examination, I realize there is no book nor video course about it. Any one has suggestion on study material of this examination ?

[@itssoaztek4592]

Worthwhile mentiong that Standard notes is now part of Proton. Proton has a pretty good track record when it comes to implementing new features based on user feedback. That makes me think there will eventually be some very nice improvements in Standard Notes as well. Right now I am using the free version of Standard Notes. It is very, very basic. So much so that I wonder how many people trying it for the first time may rather be put off by it entirely so they won't even feel any incentive to try the paid version.

[@danielg9851]

Did i not read somewhere about Proton Mail acquiring Standard Notes?

[@gogowerkzeug297]

Yes, about 3 month ago

[@CatoAntonsen]

I created a user with a long password (64) with BitWarden, but was not able to log in. Maybe the password wasn't copied correctly when I created the user, but found out they don't have password reset functionality so I can try again with same username... Damn!

[@CB-pf5lb]

Reluctantly using Joplin right now...

[@enkaskal]

i too recently wrapped up my search for an evernote replacement and ended up with joplin. i’m curious to know more about your data loss issues. are they documented somewhere or are you willing to share more?

[@Tomas_F.]

Exactly comment which I came here to look for. Same situation. Never noticed missing notes in Joplin so far.

[@AhsanHabib-mj5ym]

Tried obsidian, logse, marktext but nothing gives me more pleasant experience than neovim ....

[@danielstellmon5330]

I'm here to compare Obsidian and Standard notes

[@just_a_shitty_man2371]

Why it is looks like notion?

[@nicosilva4750]

I find electron apps to be too slow (and I have a Ryzen 9 32GB RAM). This is especially a problem when typing in Markdown. I type much faster than electron apps can convert the text and it makes it very difficult for me keep my train of thought when typing notes -- which is exactly why you want a note typing app. Apps like Zettlr and Standard Notes just can't keep up.

[@MySqueezingArm]

Hey dude! It's been quite a bit since I last checked in. How has your life been going since you got treatment for your mental health? Wishing you well, take it easy.

[@motokoiwakura]

Can you share some of your linux and other useful notes with the community?

[@dand337]

Standard note don't support android 8 and below that's why I chose notesnook

[@UnwalledGarden]

I feel like the printing thing is a deal breaker. Both from the standpoints of it not being there and the developer giving up on it because it’s too hard.

[@AindriuMacGiollaEoin]

It's an app image, .deb would be great

[@LinXnerd]

Hmmm...right...can't they package their releases? Evidently not.

[@DeirdreYoung1]

Is it just me or are there no tables in Standard Notes?

[@telosxian]

Joplin user here. Informative, yet what are its paid features? I suspect those are the ones I use routinely with Joplin. And migration is always a nightmare, so without a real need (Joplin has not "lost" notes for me), and being unable to print (to PDF? Really?), I just don't see the advantage.

[@Tomas_F.]

Same.

[@jepleas9159]

I don't see image support. So I'm back to a Anytype vs Obsidian dilemma.

[@HisLoveArmy]

That hair needs a review. P.S. love you Jay!

[@hasecilu]

Trilium for the win!

[@pravinkumarone]

awesome

[@ultrasys]

After years watching your videos I learned to respect your pragmatic approach, especially about Uglybuntu (which is totally OT and subject of a religious war involving several different types of Linux users - and, by how I refer to it, you might already guess my position). I learned a lot from your opinions and suggestions, and I would like to give at least something in return, under the form of a correction to this video: it is not a review. It is an overview, a very superficial one, I might say. If it is passing through your mind that you may lose audience because of "long" (say, 15, 20, or even 30 minutes) videos, think again. Your audience follows you not because short videos, but because of the quality you deliver when covering some subject (even if it is, well, Uglybuntu hahaha).

[@MrOlegrom]

There are no rich text and other formats but text format in the free version. Also there are no folders support. Obsidian is much better. Even Joplin is better. The only option is to pay. Why would anyone want to pay for some additional options in an app, when in other apps the same options are free?

[@jakelong8660]

Still on Joplin. This video didn’t convince me at all. I rather self-hosted on my machine versus using “the cloud” to sync.

[@jackiemelanson4773]

I don't see any dark modes feature and that why I use Obsidian. I'm interested in trying it and I need a dark themes o mode

[@jepleas9159]

Dark mode was demonstrated at 4:45 in the video.

[@dropshot1967]

not being able to print directly would be a dealbreaker for me, even if the rest of the functionality is this good

[@llortaton2834]

outro is extra loud

[@_Learnix]

Hey! I have been asked to fight you because of our names and very similar channel topics. Tomorrow by dawn.

[@dhm7815]

Not clear. I still don't know what a note-taking application does.

[@synen]

I see no reason to leave Obsidian.

[@htmlprogrammer5244]

I use cherry tree...

[@llortaton2834]

No, obsidian is still the number one note taking app, cross-platform ;) add a network share to unlock it's power in between all of your devices.

[@Gigusx]

Yeah, Obsidian is the one to beat no doubt. I would actually prefer the workflow/note structure similar to that in LogSeq (which iirc is mostly inspired by RoamResearch), but it was so buggy and lacking compared to Obsidian when I tried it in the beginning of 2024 that I switched back after giving it a try for a couple of weeks. It's good to stay aware of other apps, though.

[@majorgear1021]

it’s horrible on iOS. I ran it for a year and with either Obsidian Sync or iCloud sync the app either took forever to open or never opened Bear opens instantly!

[@Christobanistan]

It totally ignores system dark theme. It's ancient garbage.

[@rubinskii88]

Paid shit no one needs as long as Obsidian exists

[@Zerafiall]

Notes have apps? What's wrong with Vim?

[@Komatik_]

One note (heh): Evernote is likely a hell of a lot better than what it used to be nowadays. Since they sacked the American devs and took over development in full, the Italians have been shipping new stuff nonstop at an honestly incredible pace. They've made the app a lot more performant, upgraded the Tasks module to be powerful enough to actually use as a task manager (with the bonus that you can just write your tasks natively in your notes and it's not clunky like most other alternatives I've tried), and have two-way calendar integrations. Means you can write your tasks in your notes, see them on your calendar, and take notes linked to your calendar events. It's honestly become great. They also cribbed one of the best caveman organization features from Apple Notes: Ability to pin notes to the top of a folder. Means you can easily have a project master doc that's always on top and a sea of reference ordered however you want below. Chef's kiss.

[@davidh3f]

Joplin user.

[@ryanswatson]

"Ask System76 for a preview ISO" @mmstick 5:09 Can't wait for a preview review from @LearnLinuxTV

[@Kivaagno]

Omg the haircut surprised me! I found u sexier with the old haircut! Maybe the new one will grow on me!

[@rafal9ck817]

Emacs orgmode 😎

[@majorgear1021]

Web access?

[@rafal9ck817]

@@majorgear1021 git repo.

[@rafal9ck817]

@@majorgear1021 publish in orgmode is also option

[@rafal9ck817]

@@majorgear1021 I use git repo for that, orgmode has publish dispatcher which I don't use.