Software Alternatives & Startups

Joplin VS Shells

Compare Joplin VS Shells and see what are their differences

Joplin

Joplin is a free, open source note taking and to-do application, which can handle a large number of notes organised into notebooks. The notes are searchable, tagged and modified either from the applications directly or from your own text editor.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source Free
Shells

Shells is your personal workspace in the cloud. Join Shells now to access your own, private virtual desktop environment powered by a cloud computer.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid $4.95 / Monthly (Shells Lite)
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Joplin seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 358 times since March 2021.

social mentions
358 vs 0
Note Taking popularity
99% vs 1%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 51

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Joplin
Shells
Website joplinapp.org shells.com
Pricing
Open source Free Official pricing
Paid $4.95 / Monthly (Shells Lite)
Platforms —
Browser Android Windows iOS Mac OSX Linux Web +4
Company Startup from Open Source/Community —
Listed in

About Joplin and Shells

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Joplin
Shells

No description of Joplin yet.

Shells.com offers a virtual cloud computer that can be accessed from any web-enabled device. As we offer multiple Linux distributions or Windows preloaded on the virtual desktop, it gives the user the opportunity to use the operating system that they want on the device that they want. This is...

Read more about Shells

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Joplin 6 features
Shells 5 features
  • Open Source
    Joplin is open source, which means the source code is freely available and can be modified or studied by anyone. This ensures transparency and provides the community with the ability to contribute to its development.
  • Cross-Platform
    Joplin is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, which allows users to access their notes and to-dos across different devices.
  • End-to-End Encryption
    Joplin offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your notes and data are securely encrypted and only accessible by you.
  • Rich Text Support
    Joplin supports Markdown, which allows users to create notes with rich text formatting, including headers, lists, checkboxes, images, links, and more.
  • Synchronization Options
    Joplin provides multiple options for synchronization, including cloud services like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Nextcloud, enabling users to keep their data in sync across devices.
  • Resource Management
    Joplin allows users to attach files, images, and other resources to their notes, making it a versatile tool for managing different types of information.

Possible disadvantages

  • User Interface
    The user interface of Joplin can be less intuitive and visually appealing compared to other note-taking apps, which might lead to a steeper learning curve for new users.
  • Limited Collaboration
    Joplin is primarily designed for individual use and lacks extensive collaboration features found in other apps like Google Keep or Evernote, making it less suitable for team-based tasks.
  • No Native Web App
    Joplin does not have a native web app version, which can be a drawback for users who prefer accessing their notes through a browser without installing the desktop or mobile applications.
  • Sync Configuration
    Setting up synchronization options can be complex for some users, especially for those who are not familiar with cloud services or network configurations.
  • Resource Intensive
    Joplin can be resource-intensive, particularly when dealing with a large number of notes or attachments, which might affect performance on older devices.
  • Cross-device compatibility
    Shells allows users to access their virtual desktop environment from any device with an internet connection, whether it's a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This flexibility enables seamless work and play across different devices.
  • Ease of setup
    Shells offers a straightforward and user-friendly setup process, making it accessible even for those with limited technical knowledge. Users can quickly get their virtual desktop up and running without the need for complex configurations.
  • Versatility
    Shells provides users with the ability to run multiple operating systems, including Linux and Windows, which adds flexibility for a variety of tasks and software requirements.
  • Cloud storage integration
    Shells offers cloud storage options, allowing users to easily store, access, and manage their files within their virtual desktop environment. This ensures data safety and convenience.
  • Scalability
    Users can easily scale their resources based on their needs, such as upgrading RAM or storage capacity. This ensures that Shells can grow alongside the user's demands.

Possible disadvantages

  • Dependent on internet connection
    Shells requires a stable and fast internet connection for optimal performance. Users with inconsistent or slow internet may experience lag or connectivity issues.
  • Recurring costs
    Using Shells involves a subscription-based payment model, meaning users must pay recurring fees to maintain access. This could be a con for users seeking a one-time purchase model.
  • Limited offline access
    Because Shells is cloud-based, users have limited functionality when they are offline, which could be disadvantageous for those needing constant access to their virtual desktops.
  • Potential security concerns
    Although Shells implements security measures, storing data in the cloud may still pose security risks, such as data breaches or unauthorized access, which may concern privacy-focused users.
  • Performance constraints
    Depending on the chosen plan and resource allocation, there may be performance limitations, particularly for users running resource-intensive applications compared to high-performance local machines.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Joplin
Shells

Overall verdict

  • Joplin is highly regarded among users who appreciate open-source software and need a versatile note-taking solution. Its extensive features, along with active community support, make it a strong contender in the productivity software space.

Why this product is good

  • Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application with features such as synchronization across devices, support for rich-text and Markdown, and a web clipper for saving web pages and screenshots. It prioritizes user privacy and data ownership by allowing notes to be stored on local devices or using secure sync options like Nextcloud, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Additionally, Joplin supports end-to-end encryption to protect user data.

Recommended for

  • Users who prefer open-source applications
  • Individuals seeking a secure and privacy-focused note-taking app
  • People who need cross-platform compatibility
  • Users who want to organize notes using Markdown
  • Anyone looking for an alternative to mainstream note-taking apps

No analysis of Shells yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Joplin 3 videos + Add
Shells 4 videos + Add

Joplin, a free, open source, self hosted syncing note taking alternative to Evernote and OneNote..

More videos

  • - Joplin Is An Open Source Alternative To Evernote
  • - Joplin Desktop: Take Notes With A Rich Markdown Editor

Shells Explainer Video

More videos

  • - Shells.com - Complete Review of Best Virtual Machine [ 2021 ]
  • - Linux Desktops in the Cloud with Shells.com
  • - Home Defense: Aguila 12ga. mini shells.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Joplin
Shells
99% 99%
1% 1%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Joplin no reviews yet
Shells no reviews yet

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We have no reviews of Shells yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Joplin 358 mentions
Shells 0 mentions
  • Show HN: Files.md – open-source alternative to Obsidian
    What is this providing over similarly Markdown based open source note taking applications like Joplin? (https://joplinapp.org/) I've been a huge fan of the fact that my backend sync infrastructure is my own self-hosted S3 bucket with... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • An Introduction to Obsidian
    Shout out to Joplin (https://joplinapp.org/), which I use on a daily basis. It does most of what Obsidian does but has a free sync version where you just use your cloud drive as the storage. The main thing missing, from what I've found,... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Ditching Obsidian and building my own
    I use Joplin (https://joplinapp.org) on mobile and pc(windows and Linux). Joplin has a free encrypted sync via OneDrive. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago

View more

Tracking Shells since May 2021.

Alternatives to Joplin and Shells

When comparing Joplin and Shells, you can also consider the following products.