Joplin: an efficient fusion between note taking and Markdown editing

Joplin is a text editor primarily intended for note taking, but its native Markdown support makes it an interesting competitor. Immersed in an application with multiple forms and interests.

Over the past few months, we've analyzed a number of editors offering Markdown markup language support. We looked in our last two articles on development environments, Sublime Text and Visual Studio Code, the second presenting itself as a more credible alternative, in particular by the simplicity of its configuration to obtain an effective solution.

This time, we are following in the footsteps of a simple tool with Joplin, of which Markdown is an essential argument, in particular because it is active by default. Depending on the needs, the application can be a very powerful candidate, especially if you are looking for a solution that combines note taking and Markdown publishing.

Before even diving into its functions, there are a number of strengths, including its open source aspect. Its code is available on GitHub under the MIT license, which is particularly flexible in terms of reuse and modification. The application is also cross-platform: Linux, macOS, Windows, Android and iOS. The terminal version even works under FreeBSD.

Joplin works almost in tandem with the Web Clipper extension available for Chrome (and Chromium derivatives like Brave, Edge, Open...) as well as Firefox. It is responsible for saving web pages and screenshots from the browser in Joplin.

As it stands, Joplin mainly imposes its competition on Evernote and OneNote.

Our file on text editors:

Zettlr: getting started with a text editor with many qualities

Simplenote: very fast note taking, limited text editing capabilities

Typora: a very good text editor, cross-platform, but still in beta

iA Writer: a Markdown and concentration specialist, without frills

Mark Text: a still young, but very promising text editor

Sublime Text: a customizable editing champion, but not necessarily Markdown

Visual Studio Code: a credible editor for publishing and Markdown

Joplin: an efficient fusion between note taking and Markdown editing

Interface and general

The installation of Joplin does not reserve any particular surprise. The weight, however, may raise an eyebrow: around 170 MB. The application is heavy, especially for what presents itself as a note manager, Markdown or not. The eternal price to pay for the Electron base, which, as a reminder, allows the three main fixed platforms to be sprinkled with real functional parity.

Despite this heavy weight, the performances are of good quality, with in particular a very good reactivity. Mobile applications for Android and iOS have a much more measured weight, ranging from 18 to 45 MB depending on the platform and the device. We will come back to these versions in a dedicated chapter.

The first contact with Joplin would almost remind Visual Studio Code, with all the same four zones from the opening. But don't worry, the organization is simple, classic even for a notebook.

And before going any further, you will have to go to the options to ask Joplin to switch to French, which it does not do by default. The application has the good idea – as often in the software we tested – to support the Ctrl + , as a shortcut to the options. The parameter that interests you will be right in front of you. As the translation is only 99% complete, some elements will remain in English.

As we will soon see, Joplin is a veritable potpourri of many elements seen in previous software. So we have a first column giving access to the notebooks and labels (the labels, once they are created). The second displays the notes once the notebook has been selected. The third zone is the main one, that of writing. Finally, the last on the right displays a preview.

All of this display can be customized. With F10, you can for example delete the side column and thus make the notebooks disappear. If you use the same one most of the time, that's fine. Want to focus on content? F11 also makes the second column disappear. Only editing and previewing remain.

But even they can be changed. With the shortcut Ctrl + L you can switch between three views:

Editor + Preview

Editor only

Preview only

And if that wasn't enough, there is a fourth mode, accessible from the button at the top right of the window (gray area). It triggers an enriched view of the preview, which is actually a WYSIWYG mode.

A small orange banner then appears at the bottom to warn that this mode has “certain limitations”. A link "Learn more" opens a page (in English) explaining in particular that it is better to avoid Markdown plugins when using this mode, because they are not compatible. We will come back to this editor.

Still not enough? Go to the View menu and then Change interface layout. There, each of the four main elements becomes repositionable. You can move them from left to right, or even stack them. If you prefer to have for example the editing area on the left and one or two sidebars on the right, it is possible. During the modification phase, the widths of the columns are adjustable.

In addition to all this customization, Joplin provides several themes, relatively inspired by development environments (notably the solarized variants).

If Joplin launches by default with a light theme, there are more dark ones, and even with more marked contrasts for OLED screens. An option allows automatic switching with the system, if you have defined for example a change of theme according to sunrise and sunset times.

For those who don't have enough of these options, the advanced options allow you to edit style sheets for Markdown rendering and for the entire Joplin interface, via CSS files (standard syntax). However, there is no central repository for "themes", and the software does not have a folder to simply drop files into. You have to edit the CSS by hand, which only allows one custom theme in reserve.

Before looking at the actual writing, remember that Joplin is a note manager. As often in its category, it also offers to create tasks. You will therefore find two blue buttons at the top of the second column, one to create a new note, the other a new task.

Writing: difficult to do more versatile

The writing environment should logically fit the needs of most people. Whether you're looking for code-centric editing, permanent insight, or a WISYWIG approach, Joplin delivers.

Equally important, the app natively provides syntax highlighting. You won't have as much choice as in Sublime Text or VS Code, but it's nice that Joplin has this kind of approach, which makes the code much more readable. Of course, coloring is only in editing, not in the preview or rich editor.

This connection with code editors is accentuated by the presence of a palette of commands, using the same principle as the two examples cited. The shortcut is also identical: Ctrl + Shift + P (or Cmd + Shift + P on Mac). As a reminder, the palette concentrates all the functions of the application.

For people handling it often, just call it and type a few letters to find the right command. Big advantage, especially from a Markdown perspective: the hands never leave the keyboard.

The writing area uses a very classic display, with a monospace font that is very "raw". You can change it in the options, as well as the size (13 by default), but you will have to take another minivan in all cases, otherwise Joplin will not work (the application warns of this).

As mentioned, Joplin also has an enriched mode, which is actually used like a word processor. Any action on the text will cause the appropriate tags to appear in the code. An action bar is also displayed at the top of the editing area and is valid for both the code part and the enriched mode.

Apart from particular cases, the enriched mode can be used with the assurance that the code will be strictly equivalent. However, there are some limitations to be aware of. For example, you won't be able to add multiple lines at once to space text, because multiple lines are combined into one.

Also note that an array will necessarily create a header in the code (empty by default) and that all the elements of a list must imperatively be of the same type. Finally, vim and emacs keyboard modes are not supported in rich text mode.

The latter is the prerogative of versions for computers, absent from Android and iOS. This does not prevent its use: the formatting creates the tags, which are found in mobile applications, with the preview if necessary.

One could criticize Joplin for a certain form of austerity, which is found elsewhere in the rest of the application. The application is indeed very classic in its presentation, without any frills or particular research to please the eye. Precisely what will make it loved by others, who will rather talk about efficiency. Because yes, the ergonomics of Joplin is effective, especially when you take into account the high number of functions it embeds.

Options: we won't miss anything

Joplin's options are many. We clearly find the open source philosophy of leaving the user in control of the product, with a myriad of parameters for almost all aspects of the software.

Very good point for example, the ability to edit all keyboard shortcuts. In fact, some – like Print – are disabled by default. This extensive customization, combined with the command palette, allows Joplin to offer a 100% keyboard experience.

In the options panel, there are many classic elements, such as autocompletion of pairs of parentheses, quotes and others, recording of geolocation data, launching (minimized or not) of the application at system startup, the number of days to keep for the note history, etc.

There are also more specific settings, including those related to encryption and the Web Clipper extension for browsers, elements to which we will return.

Formulas, charts and diagrams

This part was quite long in previous papers, especially for Sublime Text and Visual Studio Code. This will not be the case for Joplin, for a simple reason: the application integrates by default many libraries managing the display of classic academic content.

In our example, we had a pie chart displaying the answers to a silly question, created with Mermaid. The suite gave way to mathematical equations and chemical formulas, all produced with MathJax, using the KaTeX syntax.

Result ? Everything is displayed without any effort. The interpretation is immediate and has no flaws. Since Typora, Joplin is the first application to offer this type of integration. For allergy sufferers, additional facilities are therefore a very good point. And since a picture is worth more than a long speech:

Synchronization and encryption

Joplin is primarily a candidate for solutions such as Evernote and OneNote. The competition is more "simple" against the first, because it offers functions that its competitor charges (6.99 euros per month). OneNote is free, and while not open source, it is available everywhere and provides many functions.

One of the strengths of these solutions is data synchronization. Joplin also offers one, but it relies on existing services: Dropbox, OneDrive, NextCloud, WebDAV, AWS S3 (beta) or even a Joplin server, when you can have one on hand. For the “ordinary person”, it will therefore be a third-party cloud. It must be chosen from the list, which can be found in the application settings, Synchronization section.

In most cases, it will be necessary to give the address of the server and to fill in various information. For an AWS S3 storage for example, the key and secret code will be mandatory. In the case of OneDrive, there is nothing to provide under Windows: the service is naturally present. You just have to click on the Synchronize button at the bottom left of Joplin, which will then request authorization via a web page. It will be necessary to connect with the Microsoft account if it has not already been done, after which the latter will ask you for confirmation to be linked to Joplin.

If you're using Dropbox, Joplin provides a link to open in the browser, again. Username and password will be requested. Same principle as for OneDrive, it will be necessary to confirm the link between the account and the application. Dropbox will then provide a code that will be pasted in a specific box of the Joplin form. In all cases, these procedures are settled in a few seconds.

But beware, the synchronization will not be “live”. It is by default set to one recording every five minutes. This period can only be revised upwards.

Along with synchronization comes another optional process, encryption. The latter is from start to finish, with two very important consequences. On the one hand, only you will be able to read the data, not the providers of the service used for synchronization (Dropbox, OneDrive...). On the other hand, if you lose the key used to initiate encryption, all your data will be lost.

Starting the process is very simple. We go to the options, Encryption section, then click on the “Enable encryption” button. There, a small window will open and ask you for a password. It must be long and complex, ideally random and including upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.

This password will be used to create the encryption key and should be set aside or memorized, when possible.

If you had already synchronized the files, click below on "Re-encrypt data". Synchronization will start from zero, but with encrypted data this time. If you have many documents, the operation may take some time.

Once the procedure is complete, the data stored in this way can only be read by Joplin and with the correct password. If we go to the directory containing the MD files and try to open them with another application, we will find ourselves faced with an unusable text.

Example with an encrypted document opened in Typora:

Obviously, once the encryption is activated, the password will have to be given again on each device used where Joplin is installed, otherwise the data will not be readable.

Mobile Apps and Web Clipper

Joplin's mobile applications are relatively well done, even if some will criticize them for an ergonomics that does not follow the lines of Android or iOS. Like the versions for computers, they come with an interface very reminiscent of the web, and we can once again feel the heritage of Electron.

But as a reminder, these mobile applications are much lighter than their big sisters. It's more of an "easy" conversion to Android and iOS, without revising the graphics. Here again, we will have to start by changing the language, which we do not necessarily understand: all platforms have an API that can indicate the language in use. The changeover should therefore be automatic.

Functionally, applications do what they are told. All the main actions are present. If you have synchronized data, you will have to press the dedicated button and follow the procedure. It will be identical to that on the computer, with information to give or a link to click.

Same thing if you have encrypted the data: after synchronization, the notes will appear with the title “Encrypted”. If you try to read one, an orange banner will prompt you to enter the password.

Unlike the fixed versions, the mobile applications open the notes directly in preview. In a mobile environment, Joplin assumes that we will mainly check the presentation. A red button at the bottom right, however, allows you to switch to edit mode. As said above, you can only have the code view, not the rich text mode. The handling is practically the same as on a computer.

A word also on Web Clipper, available for Chrome and Firefox. The extension requires going to Joplin's options to activate the service that will monitor it. There you will find links to get them from the Mozilla and Chrome stores.

Once the extension is installed, the menu allows you to "clip" a simplified or complete version of the page, a capture of all or part of the page or even its HTML version (the function is in beta). We choose a notebook in which to insert the new note, the title and then we confirm.

Operation is as simple as it is effective. One criticism, however: it is only available in English.

Forces do you want some here

The strengths of Joplin are numerous, and as much to say it right away: the software has quickly risen among the most effective text editing solutions that we have tested so far.

We therefore have an environment providing both a code approach and a rich text mode. Depending on the – very flexible – configuration of the application, the window can be reduced to the single writing area, such as a Typora or a Mark Text. Depending on the needs, one can focus on the rich text, to use it as a word processor. Joplin's superiority comes from its approach combining Markdown and note taking.

We will therefore be able to concentrate a large number of documents distributed in a notebook, in which the markup is active by default. Let's also mention its cross-platform aspect, its open source code, the possibility of attaching files to notes, or its approach to synchronization.

Some will probably criticize it for not having an integrated solution for synchronizing data, others will appreciate its versatility, since it can be arranged with most existing services. Similarly, the possibility of end-to-end encryption will be a strong argument for part of the public, depending on the work carried out.

If you cannot host yourself, encryption can be reassuring in addition to a Dropbox or OneDrive.

A slimming cure would be welcome

Joplin's faults are far fewer than his qualities. For the most part, they will even depend on individual tastes. We will blame him for his weight on the computer. As it stands, Joplin is the heaviest software we've tested, to the point that its installation still reaches 445 MB.

Visual Studio Code, having installed several extensions for our previous article, weighs 250. So certainly the software itself is responsive, but a note-taking application should not approach half a gigabyte to be able to store text.

Joplin will also appear "dated" to a number of pairs of eyes, especially when compared to newer, more graphically polished solutions like Typora. No, the interface isn't elegant, but it isn't repulsive either. It is "dry", and the themes provided will not change much.

When it comes to features, we mostly only have complaints with the labels. Although Joplin allows you to create as many as you want, the operation cannot be carried out from the mobile versions. Above all, they cannot be combined, while several competitors manage Boolean operators, for example.

Who is Joplin for?

Almost everyone. Despite a heavy weight on the computer, the application is fluid and includes a large number of functions. We particularly appreciated its flexibility in the configuration of the interface.

It's the only one of the applications tested to completely disrupt the workspace, to the point of keeping only the areas that interest us. This approach, combined with a code or rich text display, means that everyone should be able to find something for themselves. At least if the idea of ​​a note-taking app is of interest.

Some users will indeed prefer a solution more refocused on the publication, without multiple columns and with a potentially more welcoming interface. Joplin does not lack much to be perfect: an optimization and a small modernization of the interface.

But in any case, the software is very effective, keeps its promises and is one of the best solutions tested so far. Note that the main developer of Joplin, Laurent, is looking for volunteers to help improve the tool. Do not hesitate to participate.