Joplin for PC: How to Download and Install on Windows (2026 Guide)

Many people loved classic notebook-style note apps — until subscriptions crept in, free tiers shrank, and their years of notes sat locked in a format only one company could open. Moving thousands of notes feels painful enough that most people stay and keep paying.

This guide shows you how to download Joplin for PC from its official website, install it on Windows 11 or 10, and set up your first notebooks. Requirements, features, and honest answers about syncing and cost are covered below.

What Is Joplin?

Joplin is a free, open-source note-taking application created by Laurent Cozic and maintained by a large community. It is organised the traditional, comfortable way: notebooks contain notes, notes can have to-do checkboxes, attachments, and tags, and everything is searchable instantly. It began as an open alternative to Evernote and can even import Evernote export files directly.

Notes are written in Markdown and stored in an open format you can export any time, so your data is never hostage. Joplin also stands out for syncing: besides its own optional paid cloud, it syncs free through services you may already have, such as Dropbox or OneDrive, or your own server — with end-to-end encryption so synced notes stay private.

Key Features of Joplin

Notebooks and tags: Classic folder-style organisation with sub-notebooks, tags, and powerful full-text search.
Markdown notes with attachments: Write in Markdown with a rich-text editor option, and attach images, PDFs, and files to notes.
To-do notes: Turn any note into a task with a checkbox and optional alarm reminders.
Flexible free syncing: Sync through Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, WebDAV, or a local folder — most of them completely free.
End-to-end encryption: Optionally encrypt your notes so not even the sync service can read them.
Web clipper: A browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that saves web pages and screenshots straight into Joplin.
Import and export freedom: Import from Evernote (.enex) and Markdown files; export everything any time — your data stays yours.

System Requirements

Operating System: Windows 11 or Windows 10 (64-bit recommended)
Processor: Any modern Intel or AMD CPU
RAM: 2 GB minimum; 4 GB recommended for very large note collections
Storage: Around 300 MB for the app, plus space for your notes and attachments
Internet: Only needed for the download and for syncing, if you enable it
Account: None for using the app — a sync account (Dropbox, OneDrive, or Joplin Cloud) is only needed if you choose that sync method
Optional: The free Joplin Web Clipper extension for your browser

How to Download Joplin (Official Method)

Download portals sometimes offer outdated or repackaged copies of Joplin. Download it only from its official website, joplinapp.org.

Official Website: Download Joplin from the official website

Step-by-Step Installation

Open the official Joplin download page linked above.
Click the download button for the Windows installer.
Save the file, named like Joplin-Setup-x.x.x.exe, to your Downloads folder.
Double-click the installer and approve the Windows permission prompt.
Keep the default installation options and folder, and click Install.
Click Finish when setup completes.
Launch Joplin from the Start menu — it opens ready to use, with a welcome notebook explaining the basics.

Portable option: The same official page offers a portable version that runs from a single folder or USB stick without installing — ideal for trying Joplin first, or for a PC you do not own.

How to Create Your First Notebook in Joplin

In the left sidebar, click “New Notebook” and name it — for example “Personal” or “Work”.
Select the notebook, then click “New Note” and give your note a title.
Type your content in the editor; use the toolbar for headings, lists, and checkboxes if you prefer not to write Markdown by hand.
Click “New To-Do” instead whenever you want a note with a task checkbox and an optional reminder alarm.
Add tags at the bottom of the note (for example “ideas” or “receipts”) so related notes are one click away later.
When you are ready to sync, go to Tools → Options → Synchronisation, choose Dropbox, OneDrive, or Joplin Cloud, and follow the sign-in steps.

Is Joplin Really Free?

Yes. Joplin is free and open-source software under the AGPL licence: the complete app — notebooks, Markdown editor, attachments, plugins, and the web clipper — costs nothing, with no note limits and no premium tier. Syncing is also free if you use Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, or your own server. The one paid option is Joplin Cloud, the project’s own hosted sync service, which adds extras like easier sharing and larger attachments; it funds development and is entirely optional. Pay nothing, and you still have a full, permanent note system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Joplin safe to download and use?
Yes, from the official website linked above. Joplin is established open-source software whose code is publicly audited by its community, and it stores your notes in an open format instead of a locked database. For extra privacy, its optional end-to-end encryption means synced notes cannot be read by the sync provider either.

Can Joplin import my notes from Evernote?
Yes — that is one of its most popular uses. In Evernote, export your notebooks as .enex files; in Joplin, use File → Import → ENEX and choose whether to import as Markdown or HTML notes. Attachments, tags, and creation dates come across, so whole collections move in minutes.

How does Joplin syncing work, and is it free?
Joplin syncs your notes through a service you choose. Dropbox and OneDrive syncing is free with your existing accounts; Nextcloud and WebDAV work with your own server; Joplin Cloud is the paid, official option. Set it up once in Options → Synchronisation and the same notes appear everywhere.

Does Joplin work offline?
Completely — Joplin is a desktop app first: create, edit, search, and organise notes with no connection at all. Syncing catches up next time you are online, which makes it dependable for travel and patchy connections.

Conclusion

Joplin is the notebook app for people who want their notes organised, searchable, synced on their own terms — and never held hostage. Download it free from the official website, create your first notebook, and enjoy software that respects both your data and your wallet.

Download Joplin from the Official Website

Joplin for PC: How to Download and Install on Windows (2026 Guide)