Joplin

Note-taking app with sync and encryption for desktop and mobile.

AGPL-3.0Network copyleft (AGPL)Open core

Desktop app: installed on users' computers, not run as a web service.

Building on it: what may you do?

Short answers based on the licence, for the version in the catalog.

  • B1 Change the code for internal use in your company Yes, with conditions Yes, but if staff or others reach it over a network they must be able to get your modified source.
  • B2 Build your own product or service on top and offer it to customers as SaaS Yes, with conditions Yes, but you must share your changes with the users (AGPL).
  • B3 Make a closed-source derivative and sell or distribute it No No. The derivative must carry the same licence and the source must be offered.
  • B4 Use the project's name and trademark No No, not without permission. The licence covers the code, not the name or logo.

Keep in mind

  • Open core: parts of the project (often an ee/ or enterprise folder) are under a separate commercial licence and may not be changed or used freely.
  • There is a licence note for this product (e.g. parts under another licence or version-specific terms): read it and check the licence of the exact version you use.

This is guidance, not legal advice. Check with a lawyer before deciding.

The licence in brief

GNU AGPL 3.0 (AGPL-3.0)

Network copyleft. Free to run. If you modify it and users reach it over a network, you must offer them your modified source.

What does AGPL-3.0 mean?

Open core: packages/server is under a separate commercial licence. The rest of the code is AGPL-3.0. Check which parts you use.

This is guidance, not legal advice (inte juridisk rådgivning). Check with a lawyer before deciding.

Facts

Licence
AGPL-3.0
Licence type
Network copyleft (AGPL)
Open core
Yes – some features need a paid edition
GitHub stars
56.6k
Latest activity
Deployment
Desktop
Login/SSO
Unknown
API
Unknown
Multi-tenant
Unknown
EU vendor
Unknown
Source
GitHub API, fetched 2026-10-03

Licence analysis per use case

Sign in to see what the licence means for eight use cases – from internal self-hosting to offering the tool as a service.

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