Trilium Notes
Open-Source Note-Taking Tool with Hierarchical Structure and Self-Hosting
AI Summary
Trilium Notes is a comprehensive open-source application for creating and organizing notes in a personal knowledge base. The software offers hierarchical structures, various note types (text, code, canvas, mind maps), encryption of sensitive content, and synchronization via self-hosted servers. Particularly suitable for tech-savvy users who value data control, flexibility, and advanced features such as scripting and REST API.
✓ Pros
- + Fully open-source with self-hosting capability for maximum data control
- + Diverse note types: text, code, canvas, Mermaid diagrams, mind maps, Kanban
- + Advanced features such as REST API, scripting, and encrypted notes
- + Performant even with over 100,000 notes
✗ Cons
- − No official mobile app available (only PWA and unofficial Android app)
- − SQLite database instead of text files complicates direct file access
- − Sync can become problematic with very large files (>1GB)
Use Cases
- → Building a personal knowledge base with hierarchical organization
- → Managing code snippets and technical documentation with syntax highlighting
- → Creating diagrams, mind maps, and canvas sketches for visual planning
- → Secure storage of sensitive information with password-protected encryption
- → Synchronizing notes across multiple devices via self-hosted server
- → Project and task management with Kanban boards and calendar function
Who is it for?
Ideal for developers, tech-savvy users, and power users looking for a flexible, extensible knowledge base with full control over their data.