Notes encrypted from end to end
Your notes are encrypted on your device before syncing. The server only sees encrypted data. Even if someone gets server access, they can't read your notes without your encryption password.
End-to-end encrypted notes that sync across all devices.
Joplin Server
Joplin is an open-source note-taking app with Markdown support, end-to-end encryption, and sync across all your devices. Your notes stay private and under your control.
Joplin Server is an open-source project. We make it easier to deploy and manage, but all credit goes to the original developers. Learn more about the Joplin Server project →
End-to-end encryption protects your notes from everyone—even the server
Markdown support with rich text editing and code highlighting
Desktop, mobile, and terminal apps with automatic sync
What you get
All the features you'd expect, plus the control and privacy of self-hosting.
Markdown with preview
Write in Markdown with live preview, syntax highlighting for code blocks, and support for attachments, images, and PDFs. Import from Evernote or export to any format.
Organize with notebooks and tags
Create nested notebooks for different projects, use tags for cross-cutting organization, and full-text search finds anything instantly.
What's included
Built-in safety features
Login integration, automatic backups, and monitoring come included. Everything runs on your server; we handle the setup and give you clear guides for when things go wrong.
Unified authentication
Single sign-on across all apps using Auth0. Sign in with GitHub, email, or passkeys. One account, all your apps—no need to create separate passwords.
Automatic encrypted backups
Notes are already encrypted end-to-end. Server backups protect against data loss, and you can export notes at any time for additional safety.
Cross-platform sync
Desktop apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Mobile apps for iOS and Android. Terminal app for SSH access. All sync automatically in the background.
Resource requirements
Plan your deployment with these hardware requirements. All tiers include overhead for Docker and supporting services.
Light Resource Usage
Minimum Configuration
Good for testing and small-scale use
- CPU
- 1 core
- RAM
- 512MB
- Storage
- 5GB + note storage
- Capacity
- 1-10 users
Recommended
Production Configuration
Best performance and user experience
- CPU
- 2 cores
- RAM
- 1GB
- Storage
- 20GB + note storage
- Capacity
- 10-50 users
Important notes
- Lightweight Node.js application
- Storage grows with note attachments (images, PDFs, files)
- PostgreSQL database requires 500MB-2GB for metadata
- E2E encryption happens client-side (no server CPU impact)
How it works
Here's how everything fits together. All the setup files are in the docs if you want to customize things.
How it's accessed
Joplin Server runs behind automatic SSL certificates. Desktop and mobile apps connect directly for sync, with web UI for administration.
Sync server
Lightweight Node.js server handles sync coordination. PostgreSQL database stores encrypted note data. Files and attachments stored on server with encryption.
Client encryption
Notes encrypted on each device before upload. Server never sees plaintext. Master password required to decrypt notes on new devices.
Get started in three steps
Use the portal to deploy your app, set it up, and start using it—all through your web browser.
01
Deploy Joplin Server
Select Joplin from the application catalog and deploy to your device. The portal configures the sync server at {yourname}.unboundbytes.com/joplin.
02
Download Joplin apps
Download the desktop or mobile Joplin app. Configure sync to point to your server URL and sign in with your credentials.
03
Enable encryption
In the Joplin app, go to Settings → Encryption and enable end-to-end encryption. Set a strong master password—you'll need it to decrypt notes on other devices.
Common questions
Still have questions? Join our community chat or check out the support page for more help.
What happens if I forget my encryption password?
Your encrypted notes cannot be recovered without the password. This is by design—even we can't help you. Make sure to store your password in a password manager.
Can I share notes with other people?
Yes. Joplin supports sharing notes and notebooks via publish links. For collaboration, consider using a shared notebook that multiple people sync.
Does this work with Markdown editors?
Yes. Joplin stores notes as Markdown files on your device. You can edit them with any text editor, though you'll need to sync through Joplin to push changes.
Learn more
Check out the docs, upstream projects, and support channels.