Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Zim Wiki VS QOwnNotes

Compare Zim Wiki VS QOwnNotes and see what are their differences

Zim Wiki logo Zim Wiki

Zim is a graphical text editor used to maintain a collection of wiki pages. Each page can contain links to other pages, simple formatting and images.

QOwnNotes logo QOwnNotes

QOwnNotes is a free plain-text notepad with markdown support for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows, that works together with ownCloud Notes.
  • Zim Wiki Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-03
  • QOwnNotes Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-29

Zim Wiki features and specs

  • Offline Accessibility
    Zim Wiki is a desktop application, which means all your data is stored locally on your computer. This allows you to access and edit your notes without needing an internet connection.
  • Simple Interface
    The interface of Zim Wiki is clean and simple, making it easy to use even for beginners. It also supports keyboard shortcuts for more efficient note-taking.
  • Rich Formatting Options
    Zim Wiki provides extensive formatting options, including rich text, images, links, and various forms of media. This makes it flexible for different types of note-taking.
  • Backlinking
    Zim Wiki supports backlinks, which allows you to easily create a network of interconnected notes, similar to a personal knowledge base or a personal wiki.
  • Cross-Platform
    Zim Wiki is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile option for users on different platforms.

Possible disadvantages of Zim Wiki

  • No Native Mobile App
    Zim Wiki does not have a dedicated mobile application, which limits accessibility on smartphones and tablets.
  • Limited Collaboration Features
    There are no built-in collaboration features, so it's not ideal for team projects or sharing notes in real-time.
  • Steeper Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic functions are easy to use, the more advanced features can be challenging to learn and may require reading additional documentation.
  • Manual Syncing
    Unlike cloud-based note-taking applications, you need to manually handle file syncing if you want to use Zim Wiki across multiple devices.
  • No Cloud Backup
    Without built-in cloud storage options, users need to manually backup their notes to prevent data loss.

QOwnNotes features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    QOwnNotes is available for free and its source code is open, allowing users to contribute, customize, and inspect the code for security and functionality.
  • Cross-Platform
    The application is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users regardless of their operating system.
  • Cloud Synchronization Support
    QOwnNotes offers native support for synchronization with ownCloud and Nextcloud, enabling seamless integration and access to notes across devices.
  • Markdown Support
    The application supports Markdown, allowing users to format their notes easily and export them in various formats.
  • Customizable
    Users can customize QOwnNotes with scripts and plugins, making it adaptable to different workflows and use cases.

Possible disadvantages of QOwnNotes

  • Complexity for Beginners
    Due to its extensive customization options and technical features, QOwnNotes may be overwhelming for users who are not tech-savvy or are new to open-source software.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    While QOwnNotes supports desktop operating systems, it lacks a dedicated mobile app, which could be a drawback for users who need to access notes on-the-go.
  • Interface Design
    Some users may find the interface less polished compared to other note-taking apps, as it focuses more on functionality than aesthetics.
  • Setup for Cloud Sync
    Setting up cloud synchronization with ownCloud or Nextcloud might require additional configuration, which could be a hurdle for less technical users.

Analysis of Zim Wiki

Overall verdict

  • Zim Wiki is generally considered a good tool for individuals looking for a simple, efficient way to organize notes and information locally. It offers a balance of simplicity and powerful features that can satisfy a wide range of users' needs, from students to professionals.

Why this product is good

  • Zim Wiki is a versatile desktop wiki application that allows users to effortlessly organize information using a notebook-like interface. Its simplicity and ability to integrate text, images, and other media make it a powerful tool for note-taking, project management, and personal information management. Users appreciate its offline capabilities, the ability to create hierarchical structures, and its support for plugins that extend its functionality. The application is also open-source, which attracts users who value transparency and customizability.

Recommended for

    Zim Wiki is recommended for students, writers, researchers, and professionals who want a straightforward yet powerful tool for organizing their notes and managing projects. It is particularly suited for those who prefer a local application that doesn't rely on cloud services and who appreciate the ability to work offline with an open-source solution.

Analysis of QOwnNotes

Overall verdict

  • QOwnNotes is a robust and versatile note-taking application that is well-regarded by users who need advanced organization features and enjoy customization.

Why this product is good

  • QOwnNotes is appreciated for its open-source nature, extensive customization options, and seamless integration with Nextcloud/ownCloud. It offers a markdown editor, note tagging, scriptable functionality, and the ability to organize notes in a directory structure, which appeals to users who prefer flexibility and control over their note-taking process.

Recommended for

    QOwnNotes is recommended for users who are technically inclined and prefer open-source software, individuals who need integration with Nextcloud/ownCloud, and those who require a high degree of customization and organization for their notes.

Zim Wiki videos

Zim Wiki FavoriteFeatures from ProductiveLinux

More videos:

  • Review - Toma nota de todo con Zim Wiki

QOwnNotes videos

How to set up QOwnNotes with NextCloud on Linux

More videos:

  • Review - QownNotes kullanฤฑmฤฑ

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Zim Wiki and QOwnNotes)
Note Taking
91 91%
9% 9
Task Management
87 87%
13% 13
Todos
82 82%
18% 18
WiKis
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 Zim Wiki and QOwnNotes

Zim Wiki Reviews

8 Free Note Taking Software For Windows โ€“ Evernote Alternatives
Zim is a graphical text editor used to maintain a collection of wiki pages. Each page can contain links to other pages, simple formatting and images. Pages are stored in a folder structure, like in an outliner, and can have attachments. Creating a new page is as easy as linking to a nonexistent page. All data is stored in plain text files with wiki formatting. Various...
Ask HN: Favorite note-taking software?
One problem is that some notes tend to become spread out and somewhat chaotic, especially when having to multitask under time pressure. Many notes taken have little if any value after some weeks or months so I don't pay much attention to strict discipline there. Zim is essentially a somewhat messy lab journal intended for myself.

QOwnNotes Reviews

10 Best Open Source Note-Taking Apps for Linux
QOwnNotes is also a free and open-source, cross-platform plain-text file markdown note-taking application that comes with Nextcloud/ownCloud integration. It is a native app optimized for speed and has a small CPU and memory footprint. It supports sync services such as Nextcloud to sync notes across devices. It runs on Linux, FreeBSD, Windows, and MacOS.
Source: www.tecmint.com
8 Free Note Taking Software For Windows โ€“ Evernote Alternatives
QOwnNotes is the open source (GPL) plain-text file notepad with markdown support and todo list manager for GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows by Patrizio Bekerle, that (optionally) works together with the notes application of ownCloud (or Nextcloud).

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Zim Wiki seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 124 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.

Zim Wiki mentions (124)

  • Less is safer: how Obsidian reduces the risk of supply chain attacks
    An alternative for those who want a native application and/or even less supply-chain risk is Zim [1], which uses GTK and is packaged by the major Linux distributions. [1] https://zim-wiki.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 13 days ago
  • PKM apps need to get better at resurfacing information
    Lots of Obsidian talk here. As someone who started with the OG https://zim-wiki.org, I tried Obsidian and never found it compelling enough to switch. I did, however, with Logseq. On the surface they're deeply similar -- but Logseq's native handling of outlines -- including collapsing and and expanding on the fly (org-mode does this as well, but you know) is absolutely killer. It's the first one to kind of reliably... - Source: Hacker News / 25 days ago
  • The easiest way to build a website with Markdown
    Or, just use https://zim-wiki.org like I have for well over a decade. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Show HN: Turn Markdown into React/Svelte/Vue UI at runtime, zero build step
    Meanwhile, I'm over here going from https://zim-wiki.org -> HTML Plus a little rsync script. Hard for me to not look at this and find it all very silly. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Why and How I use "Org Mode" for my writing and more
    FWIW, I ended up doing a lot of org-mode-like things by starting with https://zim-wiki.org a VERY long time ago; I use it for notes, scheduling, publishing my own website, and even slides with the s5 thing. Somewhere in there, I gave org-mode 2 or so years and eventually gave it up entirely; it just really plays SO un-nicely with literally everything else. Anyone else looking for this sort of thing, I'd probably... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
View more

QOwnNotes mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of QOwnNotes yet. Tracking of QOwnNotes recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Zim Wiki and QOwnNotes, you can also consider the following products

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.

CherryTree - A hierarchical note taking application, featuring rich text and syntax highlighting, storing data in a single xml or sqlite file.

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.

Trilium Notes - Trilium Notes is a hierarchical note taking application.

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.

Cryptee - Cryptee is a safety and privacy focused, encrypted and cross-platform personal data storage service. You can write personal documents, notes, journals, store photos and all sorts of other files.