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Ask HN: What is a reliable Note-Taking app that syncs between Linux/Android/Mac?

Hi all, I have been in a long search to find the perfect solution that can help me take my notes on either of the aforementioned platforms with MarkDown support and have it sync and work seamlessly. I am only looking for free software (preferably open-sourced I guess). The closest I found is Joplin, which seems to be a neat project with a ton of features and a strong community, but I am facing a few issues because of the sync part. I need to remember to sync clients manually and often times I find myself finding "conflicts" in the Apps. I used StandardNotes before, but it was too simple without MarkDown (paid feature). What are you all using? And what can you guys recommend?

davidschof 7y ago
Have also used Joplin. Although used this more as a personal wiki, e.g. relatively long-form notes. I would read it on mobile but rarely edit. Agree the sync there is 'clunky'. Microsoft OneNote is quite nice. But what I actually use most is all the Google products: Keep, Docs and Sheets. So, native app on my phone and then browser based on the laptop.
- princevegeta89 7y ago
  Have used OneNote in the past, but I guess there's no Linux client?
altsyset 7y ago
Simplenote syncs between Linux and Android, but I don't know about Mac. It is also truly simple and lightweight.
- princevegeta89 7y ago
  It works just as well on Mac too, no markdown support though..
0_gravitas 7y ago
You could probably jerryrig "seamless synching" with some initial effort simply using VimWiki and git, of course the Android portion is going to require the most significant setup, but I don't see a reason why it wouldn't be doable (but then I'm not too familiar with Androids filesystem and I'm assuming it works at least marginally like the Linux filesystem)
eduma 7y ago
Don’t like proprietary formats. So I’m using plain text with a markdown editor (Typora on Windows/Linux and iaWriter on Android iOS/Mac sync via Dropbox. One file for work and one for private notes. I store references in zotero. You even could use zotero alone. If I need to export to pdf, html or slides i can use pandoc. I’d love to use orgmode/emacs but i just can’t remember those shortcuts.
runjake 7y ago
Look, you're not going to find something that satisfies you. The best you can do is a directory full of plain text and markdown files stored on a Dropbox or something. Then, on Linux use something like nvpy or one of the numerous text editors. Point it at the Dropbox dir. Write a bunch of helper shell scripts to automate tasks. On Mac, use something like nvAlt and point it at the Dropbox directory. Or go do the same thing I mentioned for Linux above. On Android, find some plain text notes app that lets you point it at a Dropbox folder. If you're into a cloud-based solution, take a look at Simplenote which has clients for all of the above.
KeBugCheckEx 7y ago
I use workflowy. Its webapp works on any browser and it sync in real time.
tonkern 7y ago
Emacs with org-mode (desktop) - Orgzly (very well integrated into Android) - synchronized via Dropbox

davidschof 7y ago

Have also used Joplin. Although used this more as a personal wiki, e.g. relatively long-form notes. I would read it on mobile but rarely edit. Agree the sync there is 'clunky'. Microsoft OneNote is quite nice. But what I actually use most is all the Google products: Keep, Docs and Sheets. So, native app on my phone and then browser based on the laptop.

princevegeta89 7y ago
Have used OneNote in the past, but I guess there's no Linux client?

altsyset 7y ago

Simplenote syncs between Linux and Android, but I don't know about Mac. It is also truly simple and lightweight.

princevegeta89 7y ago
It works just as well on Mac too, no markdown support though..

0_gravitas 7y ago

You could probably jerryrig "seamless synching" with some initial effort simply using VimWiki and git, of course the Android portion is going to require the most significant setup, but I don't see a reason why it wouldn't be doable (but then I'm not too familiar with Androids filesystem and I'm assuming it works at least marginally like the Linux filesystem)

eduma 7y ago

Don’t like proprietary formats. So I’m using plain text with a markdown editor (Typora on Windows/Linux and iaWriter on Android iOS/Mac sync via Dropbox. One file for work and one for private notes. I store references in zotero. You even could use zotero alone. If I need to export to pdf, html or slides i can use pandoc. I’d love to use orgmode/emacs but i just can’t remember those shortcuts.

runjake 7y ago

Look, you're not going to find something that satisfies you. The best you can do is a directory full of plain text and markdown files stored on a Dropbox or something. Then, on Linux use something like nvpy or one of the numerous text editors. Point it at the Dropbox dir. Write a bunch of helper shell scripts to automate tasks. On Mac, use something like nvAlt and point it at the Dropbox directory. Or go do the same thing I mentioned for Linux above. On Android, find some plain text notes app that lets you point it at a Dropbox folder. If you're into a cloud-based solution, take a look at Simplenote which has clients for all of the above.

KeBugCheckEx 7y ago

I use workflowy. Its webapp works on any browser and it sync in real time.

tonkern 7y ago

Emacs with org-mode (desktop) - Orgzly (very well integrated into Android) - synchronized via Dropbox