What is a reliable Note-Taking app that syncs between Linux/Android/Mac?

Question

Hi all,I have been in a long search to find the perfect solution that can help me take my notes on either of the aforementioned platforms with MarkDown support and have it sync and work seamlessly.I am only looking for free software (preferably open-sourced I guess).The closest I found is Joplin, which seems to be a neat project with a ton of features and a strong community, but I am facing a few issues because of the sync part. I need to remember to sync clients manually and often times I find myself finding "conflicts" in the Apps.I used StandardNotes before, but it was too simple without MarkDown (paid feature).What are you all using? And what can you guys recommend?

runjake · Accepted Answer

Look, you're not going to find something that satisfies you.
The best you can do is a directory full of plain text and markdown files stored on a Dropbox or something.
Then, on Linux use something like nvpy or one of the numerous text editors. Point it at the Dropbox dir. Write a bunch of helper shell scripts to automate tasks.
On Mac, use something like nvAlt and point it at the Dropbox directory. Or go do the same thing I mentioned for Linux above.
On Android, find some plain text notes app that lets you point it at a Dropbox folder.
If you're into a cloud-based solution, take a look at Simplenote which has clients for all of the above.

eduma · Answer

Don&rsquo;t like proprietary formats. So I&rsquo;m using plain text with a markdown editor (Typora on Windows/Linux and iaWriter on Android iOS/Mac sync via Dropbox. One file for work and one for private notes. I store references in zotero. You even could use zotero alone. If I need to export to pdf, html or slides i can use pandoc. I&rsquo;d love to use orgmode/emacs but i just can&rsquo;t remember those shortcuts.

0_gravitas · Answer

You could probably jerryrig "seamless synching" with some initial effort simply using VimWiki and git, of course the Android portion is going to require the most significant setup, but I don't see a reason why it wouldn't be doable (but then I'm not too familiar with Androids filesystem and I'm assuming it works at least marginally like the Linux filesystem)

davidschof · Answer

Have also used Joplin. Although used this more as a personal wiki, e.g. relatively long-form notes. I would read it on mobile but rarely edit. Agree the sync there is 'clunky'.
Microsoft OneNote is quite nice.
But what I actually use most is all the Google products: Keep, Docs and Sheets. So, native app on my phone and then browser based on the laptop.

altsyset · Answer

Simplenote syncs between Linux and Android, but I don't know about Mac. It is also truly simple and lightweight.

tonkern · Answer

Emacs with org-mode (desktop) - Orgzly (very well integrated into Android) - synchronized via Dropbox

KeBugCheckEx · Answer

I use workflowy. Its webapp works on any browser and it sync in real time.