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

  • Hule@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    10 months ago

    I use logseq. It has an Android app, and also desktop app (the latter being more complex). Also, it’s plain markdown.

    But you have to sync the different devices yourself and be careful not to run two instances at the same time.

  • d13@programming.devEnglish
    3·
    10 months ago

    Logseq has an Android app and clients for the usual desktop platforms. It stores as .md files. It meets your requirements. I’m not sure why you’re focused on Firefox support?

    One I have my eye on is Silverbullet.md. the creator recently promoted it here and it has some nice ideas. It’s a web app that you self host. Behind the scenes everything is stored in .md files.

  • Neo@lemmy.hacktheplanet.beEnglish
    81·
    10 months ago

    I use Obsidian, you have mentioned it and it’s not self hosted, but for me that depends on how you look at it. I use it in a folder that’s synced to Nextcloud, so I consider the data self hosted markdown files. The viewer, i.e. the Obsidian app is not self hosted, but I consider that just a client used to view the data so it doesn’t really bother me.

  • customley@lemm.eeEnglish
    5·
    10 months ago

    Logseq actually does not need to be run in a browser, there are apps for every system. It does not have any sync server to host though (so far) so you have to use syncthing or something to have your notes available between devices. It does store notes in .md format with clearly labelled names so you always have access to them.

    It does have a learning curve and android apps still do have some bugs to iron out, but I started to really like it and use it as my bullet journal.

    The whole system of linking notes and even singular text blocks works really well in my mind. I can write a quick note about my health in today’s journal file and tag it with #health and when I go to the health file it shows every mention of that tag from everywhere.

  • Gutless2615@ttrpg.networkEnglish
    11·
    10 months ago

    I’ve fallen deep down the Silverbullet rabbit hole. Self hosted markdown editor but with built in dataview style querying (if you used Obsidian that will be familiar), accessible cross platform and with a progressive web app, and basically endlessly extendable with a scripting language. Really really enjoying it and it’s made me finally move from Obsidian, which I used to evangelize (and pay for the premium sync features). Definitely check it out. Silverbullet.md

      • mhz@lemm.eeOPEnglish
        2·
        10 months ago

        Actually, nextcloud is what introduced me to the markdown format. Hiwever, i found myself using NC for its note app only, hence i’m looking for a lightweight alternative.

  • CronyAkatsuki@lemmy.cronyakatsuki.xyzEnglish
    2·
    10 months ago

    Honestly I just have a directory with markdown files I sync between my devices using syncthing.

    For editing on pc I use neovim and for editing on phone I use markor.

  • Decronym@lemmy.decronym.xyzBEnglish
    1·
    4 months ago

    Acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, contractions, and other phrases which expand to something larger, that I’ve seen in this thread:

    Fewer Letters More Letters
    Git Popular version control system, primarily for code
    IP Internet Protocol
    NAS Network-Attached Storage
    SSL Secure Sockets Layer, for transparent encryption
    TLS Transport Layer Security, supersedes SSL

    4 acronyms in this thread; the most compressed thread commented on today has 13 acronyms.

    [Thread #560 for this sub, first seen 1st Mar 2024, 09:05] [FAQ] [Full list] [Contact] [Source code]

  • Handles@leminal.spaceEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    For the past many years I’ve simply synced my notes across devices (originally from webDAV, currently Syncthing) and open them with my favourite Markdown editor for each platform. On my android phone it’s Markor, and Marktext on desktop.

    I’ve tried so many note taking apps but especially Joplin’s weird renaming of my files cooled my enthusiasm for One App To Rule Them All. I do understand the attraction of it, I just prefer a simple setup where I’m not bound by any developer (team)’s whims.