Top 6 Privacy Note Apps for Linux and Android That Actually Sync

Written by hacker17776925 | Published 2025/07/17
Tech Story Tags: open-source | note-taking | linux | android | privacy | encryption | productivity | apps

TLDRThis list covers apps notes suitable for Linux desktop and Android. No trackers, no creepy sync, just private, cross-platform tools built to protect what matters. Sync brain dumps without leaking brains.via the TL;DR App

Sync brain dumps without leaking brains

Your messages? Watched. Your location? Mapped. Your thoughts? ...maybe not yet, but some note apps come close. πŸ‘€

Most apps track everything. Notes, ideas, even to-do lists, all easy targets. And let’s be honest, inspiration shows up at the most random times: in bed, mid-commute, or on the toilet. πŸš½πŸ’‘

This list covers apps notes suitable for Linux desktop and Android, which are really good on privacy and sync over devices. No trackers, no creepy sync, just private, cross-platform tools built to protect what matters.


Standard Notes

πŸ” Go to Website

  • Data export:
    • encrypted, plain text format
  • 2FA:
    • supported, for extra account security
  • Offline Access:
    • fully offline capable on all devices :>
  • Unlimited Device Sync:
    • on official servers or self-hosted sync
  • Markdown & Writing Forms:
    • Free: plain text
    • Paid: markdown, rich text, checklists, code snippets, and more (Super note)
  • Organizing Style:
    • Free: basic tags
    • Paid: folders, tags
  • Themes & Creativity:
    • Paid: multiple themes + colors
  • Support:
    • active community + priority support for paid users


Notesnook

πŸ” Go to Website

  • Data export:
    • Free: plain text format
    • Paid: Markdown, PDF, HTML
  • 2FA:
    • supported for extra account security
    • via email and via auth app
    • Paid: SMS
  • Offline Access:
    • fully offline capable on all devices
  • Unlimited Device Sync:
    • yes, with granular sync controls + automatic instant real-time sync
  • Markdown & Writing Forms:
    • Free: Markdown, lists, code blocks, tablets, embed videos, task lists
    • Paid: free + images
    • reminders
  • Organizing Style:
    • Free: 20 NoteBooks, 5 Tags, Pins, Shortcuts
    • Paid: unlimited NoteBooks, Tags + Pins, Shortcuts
  • Themes & Creativity:
    • Free: themes, customizable sidebar
    • Paid: colors, change homepage
  • Support:
    • active community (Discord, email, Twitter, Reddit)


Joplin

πŸ” Go to website

  • Data export:
    • into ENEX files (can be imported back)
  • 2FA:
    • with lists of codes, each of them can only be used once
    • possibility to generate new code from profile page
  • Offline Access:
    • is designed to be "offline-first", ofc!
  • Unlimited Device Sync:
    • Joplin Cloud is needed to sync notes across devices
  • Markdown & Writing Forms:
    • Markdown, code, plain text to drawing (with plugins!)
    • can be used in terminal as well
  • Organizing Style:
    • NoteBooks, sub-NoteBooks, Tags, To-dos, Search filters
  • Themes & Creativity:
    • CSS, default themes
  • Support:
    • forum, Discord, Bsky


Cryptee

πŸ” Go to website

  • Data export:
    • selecting everything in a folder and Download them locally (encrypted)
    • format as PDF, docx, HTML, Markdown
  • 2FA:
    • via auth apps + recovery codes
  • Offline Access:
    • is PWA (once installed, it’ll work offline)
  • Unlimited Device Sync:
    • possible, uses local data to sync quickly, including large files
  • Markdown & Writing Forms:
    • plain text, Makdown, KaTex, code, links, images, videos (up to 100MB Free)
  • Organizing Style:
    • folders, Tags, pinning, Search filters
  • Themes & Creativity:
    • themes, colors, fonts changeable
  • Support:
    • directly on Cryptee website


Obsidian

πŸ” Go to Website

  • Data export:
    • as plain text, markdown files
  • 2FA:
    • no native 2FA
  • Offline Access:
    • fully offline, all notes stored locally
  • Unlimited Device Sync:
    • Paid: use Obsidian Sync
    • Free: third-party services like Dropbox, Drive
  • Markdown & Writing Forms:
    • Markdown, code, links, LaTex and more with plugins
  • Organizing Style:
    • folders, Tags, graph view, calendar view
  • Themes & Creativity:
    • full UI customization via CSS snippets
    • huge library with themes
    • plugins to transform UI
  • Support:
    • active community, Discord, help center


Turtl

πŸ” Go to Website

  • Data export:
    • plain text format with encryption
    • possible to import as well
  • 2FA:
    • not yet :(
  • Offline Access:
    • works offline
  • Unlimited Device Sync:
    • possible, using official servers or self-hosted server
    • collaborate with up to 3 friends (Free)
  • Markdown & Writing Forms:
    • plain text, Makdown, Tex, code, links (up to 50MB Free)
  • Organizing Style:
    • spaces (like NoteBooks), Tags, boards, Search full-text
  • Themes & Creativity:
    • no UI customization :(
  • Support:
    • community-driven support

    • Paid: dedicated support


What I'd Pick (If You’re Curious)

Honestly, it depends on the day, but if I had to choose:

  • 🧩 For structure + control: Joplin. Folders, tags, markdown, almost everything is free, it just works, you know?
  • πŸ§˜β€β™€οΈ For minimalism + clean sync: Notesnook. Private, cross-device, and super intuitive.
  • πŸ” For sheer privacy & encryption focus: Turtl. Feels like a vault for thoughts + love their logo.
  • 🌌 For power-users & creativity: Obsidian. Themes, plugins, custom workflows, it’s a sandbox!

Everyone thinks and writes differently. The real win is finding the tool that gets out of your way and lets ideas breathe without bleeding privacy.


Written by hacker17776925 | Write code. Break patterns. Build what's next. Identity optional.
Published by HackerNoon on 2025/07/17