Joplin
Proton VPN
| Feature | Joplin | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $2.99/mo | Free / from $9.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best For | privacy-advocates, developers, linux-users, evernote-migrants | privacy-advocates, journalists, remote-workers, travelers |
| Founded | 2017 | 2017 |
| Markdown | ✓ | ✗ |
| Encryption | ✓ | ✗ |
| Sync | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web Clipper | ✓ | ✗ |
| Plugins | ✓ | ✗ |
| Notebooks | ✓ | ✗ |
| No Logs Vpn | ✗ | ✓ |
| Kill Switch | ✗ | ✓ |
| Split Tunneling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Secure Core | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tor Over Vpn | ✗ | ✓ |
| Netshield | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ 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
✓ Proton VPN Pros
- Strong no-logs policy
- Swiss jurisdiction
- Open-source apps
- Free tier available
✗ Proton VPN Cons
- Free plan limited servers
- Slower than some competitors
- Fewer server locations
The Verdict
Joplin is built for privacy advocates and developers, with a focus on markdown and encryption. Proton VPN targets privacy advocates and journalists and leads with no-logs-vpn and kill-switch.
On pricing, Joplin is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $2.99/mo compared to $9.99/mo for Proton VPN. That $7/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.
Both tools are a solid fit for privacy advocates — in those cases, the decision often comes down to workflow style and how your team prefers to organize work.
Bottom line: Proton VPN has a slight overall edge — but if free and open-source matters most to you, Joplin may still be the right call.