Joplin
Mem
| Feature | Joplin | Mem |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $2.99/mo | Free / from $14.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Best For | privacy-advocates, developers, linux-users, evernote-migrants | knowledge-workers, executives, researchers, meeting-heavy-professionals |
| Founded | 2017 | 2020 |
| Markdown | ✓ | ✗ |
| Encryption | ✓ | ✗ |
| Sync | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web Clipper | ✓ | ✗ |
| Plugins | ✓ | ✗ |
| Notebooks | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ai Organization | ✗ | ✓ |
| Smart Search | ✗ | ✓ |
| Collections | ✗ | ✓ |
| Meeting Notes | ✗ | ✓ |
| Integrations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sharing | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Joplin Pros
- Free and open-source
- End-to-end encryption
- Self-host option
- Import from Evernote
✗ Joplin Cons
- Less polished UI
- Sync requires setup
- Limited collaboration
✓ Mem Pros
- AI auto-organizes notes
- No folder structure needed
- Smart search finds related content
- Meeting notes and chat integration
✗ Mem Cons
- AI organization can feel unpredictable
- Limited formatting options
- No offline access
The Verdict
Joplin is built for privacy advocates and developers, with a focus on markdown and encryption. Mem targets knowledge workers and executives and leads with ai-organization and smart-search.
On pricing, Joplin is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $2.99/mo compared to $14.99/mo for Mem. That $12/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.