Choose Joplin if you need
- Web, CLI or Chrome extension. We haven't found them on Roam's website.
At a glance
- Both offer a free trial (Joplin: 14 days, Roam: 31 days).
- Roam's lowest paid plan is Pro at $15 per month, or $165 per year, as of October 28, 2026.
- Both are available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
- Only Joplin lists Web, CLI and Chrome extension.
- Only Roam lists Chrome.
- Joplin lists GDPR. We haven't confirmed any of these for Roam.
- Roam has a public API. We haven't confirmed one for Joplin.
- Joplin can be self-hosted. We haven't confirmed that for Roam.
From each tool's own website, checked on the dates below, and from published reviews.
Which to choose
From the facts checked for both tools, not from opinion. A fact we haven't confirmed for one of them is never counted.
Choose Roam if you need
No checked fact sets Roam apart from Joplin yet.
Joplin
Nobody has reviewed Joplin yet. Its rating shows once it has 3 reviews.
Review Joplin
Roam
Nobody has reviewed Roam yet. Its rating shows once it has 3 reviews.
Review RoamThe facts
- What it does
- JoplinAn open source note-taking app. Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device
- RoamA note-taking tool for networked thought.
- Free plan
- JoplinNot confirmed
- RoamNot confirmed
- Pricing
- JoplinNot confirmed
- RoamNot confirmed
- Paid plans from
- Joplin
What they share
From the platforms and integrations each website lists.
Platforms
Both
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
Only Joplin
- Web
- CLI
- Chrome extension
Only Roam
- Chrome
People who switched
Reviewers who say they used one of these before the other.
No reviewer has said they moved between Joplin and Roam yet.
Used either of them?
Your review makes this comparison better for the next person. Review Joplin or review Roam.