Open-source hierarchical notes and personal knowledge base with rich editing, full-text search, encryption, scripting, and optional self-hosted sync and web access.
37.6k stars2.5k forksAGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
6 self-hosted Day One alternatives
Cloud-based journaling app for creating and organizing personal diary entries with text, photos, audio, location, tags, and reminders. Offers native mobile and desktop clients plus web access, cross-device sync, search, timeline/‘On This Day’, and optional end-to-end encryption.
Alternatives to Day One
#2
Open-source, self-hosted AI note-taking app for fast capture and organization, with Markdown notes and RAG-based natural language search.
11k stars774 forksGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
Standard Notes is an end-to-end encrypted notes app with secure file storage, offline access, and cross-platform sync, with optional self-hosting of the sync server.
6.6k stars548 forksAGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#4
Lightweight self-hosted web app for managing checklists and Markdown notes with file-based storage, PGP encryption, REST API and Docker deployment.
2k stars114 forksAGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
#5
Self-hosted private journaling app with mood tracking, prompt-based writing, media uploads, analytics, and powerful search for full data ownership.
1.2k stars46 forkslast commit Actively maintained
#6
Encrypted diary and journal web app with client-side encryption, markdown editor, file uploads, searchable entries, multi-user accounts and PWA support.
497 stars41 forksMITlast commit Actively maintained
What replacing Day One actually involves
Every option on this page is open source and free to run on your own hardware, so you own the data and there is no subscription to cancel. 6 of 6 shipped a commit in the last six months. Licences in this list: AGPL-3.0, GPL-3.0, MIT. In exchange you take on hosting, backups and updates yourself.
Browse everything in Notes & Personal Knowledge Management.
