TITLE: Comparison of F-droid notetaking apps on Android
DATE: 2020-04-05
AUTHOR: John L. Godlee
====================================================================


I've been looking for a better notetaking app on my Android phone.
There are lots of notetaking apps on the Google Play Store and they
vary massively in features, speed, reliability, privacy, and app
size. F-droid also has a lot of notetaking apps and these vary in
quality even more, with many being abandoned hobby projects, and
some with very niche features. I think that it's important to
support free and open source software, so I limited myself to
searching for a new notetaking app on F-droid.

 [F-droid]: https://f-droid.org/

I decided to do a comparison of all the notetaking apps currently
available on F-droid to find my favourite. I kept in mind things
like:

-   Date of last update and compatibility with new versions of
Android
-   Permissions required
-   App size

I had a few features that I needed in my chosen app:

-   Plain text storage of notes on device
-   Homescreen widget where I can preview notes and quickly jot
things down
-   Export notes to plain text files, ideally with .md extension

I also had a few desirable features, but which weren't an absolute
necessity:

-   Automated cloud backup
-   Responsive Markdown styling in the note, to add structural
aspects like headings with Markdown syntax

I searched F-droid and extracted relevant apps by searching for
these key terms:

-   note
-   todo
-   list
-   text editor
-   writing

In total I found 44 notetaking apps on F-droid. I excluded apps
that only provided todo-list features, because I often want to take
longer notes, write letters and blog posts and stuff. Below is a
table comparing these apps and their features, as tested on an
Android 7.1.1 running on Bluestacks on my Macbook Pro. I just
didn't have the patience to install and uninstall each app on my
ailing Android phone, but hopefully Bluestacks is an appropriate
replacement. While I was going through the apps I found extra
features which I have included in the table, despite them not being
features I particularly need. When recording whether an app had a
widget or not, I recorded it as FALSE if the widget was just an
icon which opened the main app.

 [Bluestacks]: https://www.bluestacks.com/

I tested each app by creating a folder,if possible, and adding a
note with the contents:

   # This is a note

   ```
   x <- 123
   ```

   It has multiple lines and [a link](https://www.duckduckgo.com)

then I added two tags to the note, if possible. Then I tried to
export the note to the local file storage and finally tried to set
up cloud storage.

Below is the table of comparisons:

App name
Tagline
License
APK size (MB)
Last updated
Archived?
Permissions
Checklist
Tags
Folders
Widget
Plain export
Cloud backup
Markdown preview
Password protection
Org Mode
Search
Autosave
Notification area
Notes
920 Editor
Text editorGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
0.9
05/12/2012
FALSE
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Crashes
Carnet
Powerful note taking app with sync and online editorGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
6.5
26/02/2020
FALSE
Camera, Microphone, Storage
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
Clear List
Add todo items and alarmsGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
1.7
27/02/2016
FALSE
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Crashes
CrocodileNote
Take notes and encrypt themGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
0.068
13/03/2015
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Editor
Simple generic text editorGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
0.167
01/02/2020
TRUE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
Markdown rendering in web browser
Just Notes
Take notes with import and export featuresApache-2.0
Apache License 2.0
1.8
14/09/2018
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Kolab Notes
Write notes and sync them with KolabLGPL-3.0-only
LGPL-3.0-only
5
22/10/2019
FALSE
Contacts, Storage
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
xml export
LaaNo
Bind notes to links and sync them with NextcloudGPL-3.0-or-later
GPL-3.0-or-later
2.3
10/12/2019
FALSE
Contacts, Storage
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
NextCloud cloud backup
Markor
Text editor - Notes & ToDo. Lightweight. Markdown and todo.txt
support.Apache-2.0
Apache License 2.0
6.9
12/02/2020
FALSE
Storage
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
Memento
Take notesMIT
MIT
1.2
30/12/2016
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
miniNoteViewer
Note taker with encryptionGPL-2.0-or-later
GPL-2.0-or-later
0.163
30/11/2012
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Text editor only
MobileOrg
TODO list/task managementGPL-2.0-only
GPL-2.0-only
1.4
15/08/2013
FALSE
Calendar, Storage
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
My Notes - Take notes anywhere
Very simple note-takingGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
1.4
29/10/2019
FALSE
NA
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Note Crypt Pro
Keep your notes safe and secureGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
1.4
12/11/2018
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
NoteBuddy
Store encrypted notesGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
1
19/07/2017
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
NoteCipher
Notepad with lockApache-2.0
Apache License 2.0
7.1
15/12/2013
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Notepad
Basic note takingApache-2.0
Apache License 2.0
0.046
07/09/2012
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
Notepad
Take notesGPL-3.0-or-later
GPL-3.0-or-later
1
15/10/2016
TRUE
NA
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Notepad
A simple, bare-bones, no-frills note taking appApache-2.0
Apache License 2.0
1.3
13/04/2019
FALSE
NA
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
Notey
Location-aware notesBSD-3-Clause
BSD-3-clause New or Revised
1.4
26/11/2014
FALSE
Location, Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
html export
Notification Notes
Add notes and show them as notificationsMIT
MIT
1.7
01/01/2019
FALSE
NA
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
Notify
Manage notes and TODO listsGPL-2.0-or-later
GPL-2.0-or-later
1.2
11/02/2015
FALSE
NA
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
OI Notepad
Take notesApache-2.0
Apache License 2.0
1
18/02/2017
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
Omni Notes
Note taking open-source application aimed to have both a simple
interface but keGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
4.6
17/09/2018
FALSE
Storage, Location, Microphone
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
Orgzly
Outliner for notes and tasks in plain-textGPL-3.0-or-later
GPL-3.0-or-later
5
14/11/2019
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
p!n
Pin notes to the notification area.GPL-3.0-or-later
GPL-3.0-or-later
1.9
31/10/2019
FALSE
NA
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
Post Writer
A writing app for the true minimalistApache-2.0
Apache License 2.0
1.7
14/06/2019
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Retro Text Editor
Edit text filesBSD-2-Clause-FreeBSD
BSD-2-Clause-FreeBSD
1.3
02/10/2019
TRUE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
Text editor only
Scarlet Notes FD
Quick and beautiful note-takingGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
7.3
09/10/2019
FALSE
Storage
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
SealNote
Simple, safe and easy to use notepadMIT
MIT
11
15/03/2017
TRUE
Storage
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Simple Notes
A beautiful quick note taking app without ads or weird
permissions.Apache-2.0
Apache License 2.0
4.8
04/02/2020
FALSE
Storage
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
Simpletask Cloudless
Todo list managerGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
3.8
01/02/2020
FALSE
Storage
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
SNotepad
Take notesGPL-3.0-or-later
GPL-3.0-or-later
1.9
04/04/2017
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
Swiftnotes
Take notesApache-2.0
Apache License 2.0
1
30/04/2017
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
SyncOrg
Take and organize notesGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
2.8
25/01/2017
FALSE
Storage, Calendar
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
SSH backup
TAG Notepad
Tag-based notebookApache-2.0
Apache License 2.0
0.7
15/12/2013
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
Ted
Lightweight text editorMIT
MIT
0.248
13/11/2012
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
Text editor only
TEdit
A simple text editor0BSD
0BSD
4.5
02/11/2019
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
Text editor only
TextWarrior
Text editorApache-2.0
Apache License 2.0
0.335
17/04/2013
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Text editor only
Tomdroid
Note takerGPL-3.0-or-later
GPL-3.0-or-later
1
16/01/2014
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
xml export
Turbo Editor
Simple text editorGPL-3.0-or-later
GPL-3.0-or-later
1.9
29/03/2015
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
Text editor only
uNote
Lightweight and minimalist notepadGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
0.071
29/11/2018
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
VIMTouch
Text editorGPL-3.0-only
GPL-3.0-only
3.4
30/03/2013
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
FALSE
Text editor only
Writeily Pro
Edit markdown filesMIT
MIT
1.7
20/05/2015
FALSE
Storage
FALSE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE
TRUE
TRUE
FALSE

The apps which stood out to me as the most polished and feature
rich were Writely Pro, Scarlet Notes, Simple Notes, and Omni Notes.
Orgzly is good but I don't see myself learning its idiosyncratic
ways. Markor almost made its way to being on of my favourites, but
it ran quite clunky on my setup.

After much deliberation, I'm going to live with Scarlet Notes for a
while and see how it goes.

 [Scarlet Notes]: https://github.com/BijoySingh/Scarlet-Notes

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