Joplin
Open-source notes app with an in-app MCP server, a local Data API, and paid Joplin Cloud sync.
Joplin is a desktop and mobile notes app with markdown, notebooks, tags, attachments, end-to-end encrypted sync, and a plugin system. The desktop app now embeds an MCP server (packages/lib/services/mcp) with note, notebook, tag, search, and semantic-search tools, alongside the long-standing Data API and terminal CLI. Apps are AGPL; Joplin Cloud and Joplin Server Business are paid.
Alternative to Evernote, OneNote
- you already keep years of notes in Joplin and want Claude to search and write them without leaving the app
- you want encrypted cross-device notes and are happy to pay a few euros a month for sync
- The MCP server runs inside the desktop app; the app must be open and the service enabled
- packages/server (Joplin Server) is under a Personal Use License, not AGPL; business self-hosting requires the paid Joplin Server Business
- Notebook delete and resource upload are not in the MCP tool set; fall back to the Data API on port 41184
Last activity Sep 3, 2026. Fit: adaptable 1, operable 3.
Editions
Free apps · Free open source
- Clone
git clone https://github.com/laurent22/joplin - DownloadDownload
Joplin Cloud Basic · €3 per month closed source
- HostedOpen the hosted app
Joplin Cloud Pro · €6 per month closed source
- HostedOpen the hosted app
Joplin Cloud Teams · €8 per month closed source
- HostedOpen the hosted app
Joplin Server Business · €3 per month closed source
- ImageContainer
Operable: what an agent can drive
Interface
OfficialMCP serverpublished by the builderlocal
How an agent can drive an Operable Listing, in five levels: native (built for the agent as the primary interface), official (the Builder ships an agent interface), wrapped (a third party wraps the software's API), config (an agent can only drive it by editing files), gui (screen control only). An interface is official only when it is published by the same organization that ships the software. GUI-level Listings are allowed and sorted last.
- Docs
- github.com/laurent22/joplin/tree/dev/packages/lib/services/mcp
- Tools
create_noteread_noteupdate_notedelete_notesearch_notessemantic_search_notescreate_notebooklist_notebooksmanage_tagsread_image
Reach
Partial coverage. 5 of 9 jobs reachable through the stated interface.
| Job | Through the interface | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Create, read, update, and delete notes | Reachable | McpServer.ts tools create_note, read_note, update_note, delete_note |
| Search notes, including semantic search | Reachable | search_notes, semantic_search_notes |
| Create and list notebooks | Reachable | create_notebook, list_notebooks; no delete or move notebook tool |
| Tag notes | Reachable | manage_tags |
| Read image attachments | Reachable | read_image |
| Upload attachments and resources | Not reachable | no resource tool in the MCP list; the Data API can POST /resources |
| To-dos | Undetermined | notes carry is_todo in the Data API; not confirmed on the MCP note tools |
| Sync, encryption, sharing, and publishing | Not reachable | app and Joplin Cloud features; not in the tool list |
| Plugins and web clipper | Not reachable | separate subsystems; no MCP tool |
Code stack
- Languages
- TypeScript
- Frameworks
- ElectronReact Native
- Package manager
- yarn
- Database
- SQLite
- Hosting target
- binary
- Built
- Mixed (recorded, never ranked)
Model stack
- Providers
- embeddings for semantic search (provider configurable in app settings)
- Models
- none
- Keys you need
- none
- Prompts live in
- none
Evidence and confidence
| Field | Where it was seen | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| formFactor | README: desktop and mobile apps; MCP server lives in the desktop app's lib package | 90% |
| executionModel | semantic_search_notes implies embeddings at runtime; note CRUD needs no model | 65% |
| operability | packages/lib/services/mcp/McpServer.ts in laurent22/joplin; tool names read from the file | 90% |
| effort | the desktop app has no named env, config, or prompt surface for an Adopter; Joplin Server is a separate form factor under a non-open license, so Adaptable is not claimed | 70% |
| editions | joplinapp.org/plans: Basic €2.99, Pro €5.99, Pro 100GB €9.99, Teams €7.99 per user; Server Business €2.50–3.33 per user; apps free | 90% |
| active | pushedAt 2026-09-03 | – |
| provenance | CLAUDE.md at root; project from 2016 | 40% |
| reach | 85% |
Open questions
- Is the in-app MCP server in a stable release yet, and how is it enabled?
- Which embedding provider does semantic search use and does it need a key?
- Should Joplin Server be its own Listing (form factor: web-app) despite the personal-use license?
Sources
- github.com/laurent22/joplin sourcing:notes-knowledge:curated
- joplinapp.org/plans/ analysis
- github.com/laurent22/joplin/blob/dev/packages/server/LICENSE.md analysis