Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Foam VS Turtl

Compare Foam VS Turtl and see what are their differences

Foam logo Foam

Personal knowledge management and sharing on VSCode & GitHub

Turtl logo Turtl

The secure, collaborative notebook
  • Foam Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-06-28
  • Turtl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

Organize your life! Whether it's bookmarks or passwords, files or shopping lists...Turtl organizes it all and makes it easy to find later. Sync across your devices. Leave nothing behind.

Turtl uses high-end cryptography to protect your data. Whether you're worried about information leaks, competitive advantage, or blanket government surveillance, Turtl works hard to make sure only you, and those you choose, can see your data.

Collaborate and share! Just because Turtl is secure and private doesn't mean you can't share with your teammates or family. Choose who you want to have access to your data without compromising your security.

Foam features and specs

  • Open Source
    Foam is an open-source tool, which means it is free to use and allows for community-driven development and contributions. Users can modify the source code to fit their specific needs.
  • Markdown Support
    Foam uses Markdown, a lightweight and easy-to-read syntax, making it simple to create and manage notes. This also allows for easy integration with other Markdown-based tools and platforms.
  • Integration with Visual Studio Code
    Foam is designed to work seamlessly with Visual Studio Code (VS Code). This provides users with a powerful and familiar text editor environment, complete with extensions and customization options.
  • Graph View
    Foam includes a graph visualization feature that helps users see and navigate the relationships between their notes, making it easier to understand and manage complex information.
  • Bidirectional Links
    Foam supports bidirectional links, allowing users to create connections between notes in both directions. This enhances the note-taking experience by enabling a more interconnected and dynamic information structure.
  • Community and Documentation
    Foam has a growing community of users and contributors, as well as comprehensive documentation. This support network helps users troubleshoot issues, share tips, and improve their knowledge of the tool.

Possible disadvantages of Foam

  • Limited to VS Code
    Foam relies on Visual Studio Code as its primary environment. Users who prefer different text editors or platforms might find this limitation restrictive and less convenient.
  • Learning Curve
    Although Foam leverages Markdown, users may still face a learning curve, especially if they are not familiar with VS Code or the specific features and extensions required to maximize Foam's capabilities.
  • Performance with Large Datasets
    Foam can struggle with performance issues when handling large datasets or a high number of notes. This can lead to slow response times and inefficient workflows.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    Foam is primarily designed for desktop use within VS Code, which means that mobile support is limited. Users looking for a seamless cross-platform experience might find this aspect lacking.
  • Customization Complexity
    While Foam offers a high degree of customization, setting up and configuring the tool to meet personal preferences and workflows can be complex and time-consuming for some users.

Turtl features and specs

  • Privacy-focused
    Turtl prioritizes user privacy by offering end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your data remains confidential and secure.
  • Open-source
    Being an open-source application, Turtl allows users to inspect, modify, and contribute to the codebase, fostering a transparent and collaborative environment.
  • Cross-platform support
    Turtl is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, making it accessible from a variety of devices.
  • User-friendly interface
    The application offers an intuitive and clean interface, making it easy for users to organize and manage their notes and tasks.
  • Collaborative features
    Turtl supports sharing and collaboration features, allowing teams to work together efficiently on projects and tasks.

Analysis of Foam

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Foam is a good tool for those seeking an open-source environment for note-taking and knowledge management, particularly if they appreciate an approach based on markdown files and integration within a powerful text editor like Visual Studio Code. Its flexibility and user-driven customization make it suitable for users who enjoy tweaking and optimizing their workspace according to their workflow.

Why this product is good

  • Foam is a personal knowledge management and sharing system inspired by Roam Research, offering an open-source solution built on top of Visual Studio Code. It provides users with capabilities to create and interlink notes using markdown files, offering flexibility and customization suited to personal preferences. Foam supports features like backlinking, graph visualization of notes, and integration with VS Code extensions, making it a robust tool for managing interconnected information effectively.

Recommended for

  • Individuals preferring markdown-based note-taking systems
  • Developers familiar with Visual Studio Code
  • Users who appreciate open-source software and community-driven projects
  • People interested in managing complex, interconnected knowledge bases

Analysis of Turtl

Overall verdict

  • Turtl is a strong contender in the realm of privacy-first productivity tools, with a simple interface and robust security features that make it suitable for users prioritizing data protection.

Why this product is good

  • Turtl is considered a good option for those seeking privacy-focused digital note-taking and organization. It uses strong end-to-end encryption to ensure that all data stored within the application remains private and secure. Its open-source nature also allows for community audits and improvements to the software, ensuring transparency. The app is designed to help users organize notes, bookmarks, files, and more in a structured and user-friendly manner.

Recommended for

  • Individuals or teams that prioritize privacy and data security.
  • Users looking for an open-source and community-supported note-taking application.
  • People who prefer organizing information in an intuitive and visually appealing manner.
  • Those seeking alternatives to mainstream note-taking tools with a focus on encryption and privacy.

Foam videos

These panels DESTROYED my STUDIO....REVERB? - ArrowZoom Foam Review

More videos:

  • Review - Arrowzoom Foam Review
  • Review - Ryobi Foam Blaster VS. Amazon Foam Cannon | Review

Turtl videos

Turtl: A secure app for note-taking, research, and collaboration

More videos:

  • Review - Turtl - Alternativa Open Source ao Evernote โ€ข Instalaรงรฃo e Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Foam and Turtl)
Note Taking
46 46%
54% 54
Knowledge Base
100 100%
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
100% 100
Knowledge Management
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Foam and Turtl

Foam Reviews

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Turtl Reviews

Best Evernote Alternatives in 2021 for Serious Note Takers
Turtl is a close all-in-one Evernote competitor, with the biggest difference being that itโ€™s a secure and encrypted open-source application. Turtl works well for any kind of notes or project, including passwords, shopping lists, bookmarks, and more long-form content. It also allows you to gain control of your data by installing your own Turtl server at home or work.
Top 15 Best Evernote Alternatives You Can Use
One of the biggest benefits of Turtl is that all your data is encrypted. It uses high-end cryptography to protect your data. So if you are youโ€™re worried about information leaks, competitive advantage, or surveillance, this is the right app for you. Turtl also supports collaboration, allowing you to easily collaborate with your co-workers on a note or project.
Source: beebom.com
8 Free Note Taking Software For Windows โ€“ Evernote Alternatives
Turtl lets you take notes, bookmark websites, and store documents for sensitive projects. From sharing passwords with your coworkers to tracking research on an article youโ€™re writing, Turtl keeps it all safe from everyone but you and those you share with.
The 7 Best Lightweight OneNote and Evernote Alternatives
Turtl is a secure Evernote alternative. Most of the appโ€™s features mirror those available in Evernote and OneNote. However, privacy is the top priority here. To that end, Turtl is open-source and available to view on the projectโ€™s Github page. All notes are encrypted locally before being uploaded to the syncing server.
5 great privacy-focused Evernote alternatives to keep your notes safe
Turtl is a free cloud service that takes care of your data and allows you to do collaborative work with people across the world. Since it is still in beta, with each update you can expect improvement of not only its security features but also the tools it provides. Turtl is already supported on many platforms like WindowsX64, OSX X64, Linux x64, Linux x32, Android, Android...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Foam should be more popular than Turtl. It has been mentiond 48 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Foam mentions (48)

  • Migrating from DokuWiki to Obsidian
    I've been using foam instead of obsidian for my personal knowledge base. It works rather well. And it's completely free and ultimately just markdown. While I might wish it was djot, I don't wish hard enough to make that so myself https://foambubble.github.io/foam/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • I Use Obsidian
    I gave up on Obsidian and just use Foam (https://foambubble.github.io/foam/) and/or vimwiki. I just canโ€™t get into overwrought, arbitrarily designed organization schemes or proprietary apps (Foam-managed content is just plain Markdown, so I can easily do without itโ€”it provides the absolute bare minimum for easy linking of notes without proprietary markup). - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Use a Work Journal to Recover Focus Faster and Clarify Your Thoughts
    If you're interested in an open-source, free equivalent, check out VSCodium (open-source version of VSCode), and FOAM (VSCode plugin - https://foambubble.github.io/foam/). In a new project, create a `docs/` folder, and start with `docs/notes.md`. When you want to branch out to other files & links, you can type [[MyTopic]] and FOAM will automatically create MyTopic.md, and will allow you to click on the link and... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Vscode setup with Foam and Logseq for Digital Note Taking
    Source: (1) A personal knowledge management and sharing system for VSCode - Foam. https://foambubble.github.io/foam/. (2) A personal knowledge management and sharing system for VSCode. https://github.com/foambubble/foam. (3) Loam - Visual Studio Marketplace. https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ciceroisback.loam. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Request: VSCode extension that allows users to edit .cavas files
    Foam[0], memo[1], Markdown Memo[2], md-graph[3] file/directory display plugin [4] ----- misc related links: https://forum.obsidian.md/t/obsidian-vscode-editor-elevate-your-code-editing-experience-in-obsidian/69057/2 https://forum.obsidian.md/t/vs-code-plugin-the-best-of-both-worlds/6358 https://jukkaniiranen.com/2022/01/canvas-app-source-code-editing-with-vs-code-in-your-browser/... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
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Turtl mentions (27)

  • Show HN: Anytype โ€“ local-first, P2P knowledge management
    > No note application does this Yes, the app Turtl (https://turtlapp.com) does do this and it's not slow at all really. It only decrypts data upon viewing, and immediately re-encrypts when saving data. So this is actually entirely reasonable and entirely doable. The benefits are that malicious applications can't read data just sitting on the hard drive, which removes an entire class of attacks. An encrypted hd... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Note taking app with collaboration (may be not real time)
    Https://turtlapp.com/ - "Turtl". Open source, allows you to share stuff, client-side encryption, but dont believe its real time. Only issue I could see is that seemingly the only way to access it is to download it. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Alternative to SnippetBox
    Maybe this. It can be Self Hosted. Https://turtlapp.com/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Lastpass alternatives?
    I use TurtlApp - https://turtlapp.com - although they do not have an iOS version yet. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Granny wouldโ€™ve been marked for the old folks
    If you want a "Second" step if you feel that a parent or partner will attempt to gain access to your database and read your contents, you can utilize an online service called Turtl which allows you to generate encrypted notes that only the logged in user can see. How is this more secure? Well back to your password manager, you can disguise the entry for Turtl in your password manager as something irrelevant (Have... Source: almost 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Foam and Turtl, you can also consider the following products

Obsidian.md - A second brain, for you, forever. Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files.

Evernote - Bring your life's work together in one digital workspace. Evernote is the place to collect inspirational ideas, write meaningful words, and move your important projects forward.

Logseq - Logseq is a local-first, non-linear, outliner notebook for organizing and sharing your personal knowledge base.

OneNote - Get the OneNote app for free on your tablet, phone, and computer, so you can capture your ideas and to-do lists in one place wherever you are. Or try OneNote with Office for free.

Roam Research - A note-taking tool for networked thought

Standard Notes - A safe place for your notes, thoughts, and life's work