# Evernote alternatives for AI agents

3 alternatives to Evernote. 3 have an interface an agent can drive. 2 are open source.

Page: alternatives/evernote.html

## Trilium Notes

Hierarchical note tree with attributes and scripting, driven by the ETAPI REST API and an in-repo MCP route.

- Listing: apps/triliumnext--trilium.html
- JSON: apps/triliumnext--trilium.json
- License: AGPL-3.0
- Agent interface: API and MCP server, from the builder
- Reach: 8 of 10 jobs
- Last activity: 2026-09-03
- Effort: config-only
- Agent cannot reach: Scripting and widgets; Sync and protected (encrypted) notes
- Use it when: you want a deeply nested personal or team knowledge tree that an agent can populate through a stable REST API
- Use it when: you outgrew flat markdown folders and want attributes, relations, and saved searches
- Gotcha: AGPL-3.0
- Gotcha: The desktop app and server versions must match for sync; disable auto-updates on the server when using TriliumDroid
- Gotcha: ETAPI needs a token created in the UI (Options > ETAPI) or from POST /etapi/auth/login with the instance password
- Gotcha: MCP route tool names were not read; they come from the core LLM tool registry (packages/core llm/tools)

## Anytype

Local-first encrypted knowledge OS with an official MCP server (@anyproto/anytype-mcp) over its local API.

- Listing: apps/anyproto--anytype-ts.html
- JSON: apps/anyproto--anytype-ts.json
- License: Any Source Available License 1.0
- Agent interface: MCP server, from the builder
- Reach: 5 of 9 jobs
- Last activity: 2026-09-01
- Agent cannot reach: Sync, encryption, and key management; Publish pages to the web
- Use it when: you want a Notion-like object database that stays encrypted on your devices and an agent that can file objects into it
- Use it when: you need offline-first notes that sync peer-to-peer without a server you run
- Gotcha: Any Source Available License 1.0: modification and redistribution only for non-commercial use or within allowed networks; not open source
- Gotcha: The desktop app (or anytype-cli) must be running; the MCP talks to 127.0.0.1:31009 and needs an API key from App Settings
- Gotcha: API calls carry a version header (Anytype-Version 2025-11-08); bump it when the API changes
- Gotcha: Membership prices could not be read from anytype.io (client-rendered page)

## Joplin

Open-source notes app with an in-app MCP server, a local Data API, and paid Joplin Cloud sync.

- Listing: apps/laurent22--joplin.html
- JSON: apps/laurent22--joplin.json
- License: AGPL-3.0-or-later
- Agent interface: MCP server, from the builder
- Reach: 5 of 9 jobs
- Last activity: 2026-09-03
- Agent cannot reach: Upload attachments and resources; Sync, encryption, sharing, and publishing; Plugins and web clipper
- Use it when: you already keep years of notes in Joplin and want Claude to search and write them without leaving the app
- Use it when: you want encrypted cross-device notes and are happy to pay a few euros a month for sync
- Gotcha: The MCP server runs inside the desktop app; the app must be open and the service enabled
- Gotcha: packages/server (Joplin Server) is under a Personal Use License, not AGPL; business self-hosting requires the paid Joplin Server Business
- Gotcha: Notebook delete and resource upload are not in the MCP tool set; fall back to the Data API on port 41184

## Questions

### Is there an open source alternative to Evernote?

Yes. 2 of the 3 listings here are open source: Trilium Notes (AGPL-3.0), Joplin (AGPL-3.0-or-later).

### Which Evernote alternatives have an MCP server?

Trilium Notes, Anytype and Joplin have MCP servers from their builders.

### Which Evernote alternative can an agent do the most with?

Trilium Notes: 8 of 10 recorded jobs reachable. Jobs differ by listing, so read each list before you choose.