Final thoughts on Joplin before leaving

Operating system

Windows

Joplin version

3.0.15

Desktop version info

Joplin 3.0.15 (prod, win32)

Client ID: 4445344bcb6640bea03f9e6de7197dbd
Sync Version: 3
Profile Version: 47
Keychain Supported: Yes

Revision: 598677b

Backup: 1.4.1

Sync target

Joplin Cloud

What issue do you have?

Thanks to all the users who commented on my post, I never thought I would say this: I'm leaving Joplin for Evernote. It was an interesting discussion! Unfortunately, my conclusion is that Joplin is not ready for serious use.

If you didn't read the thread here is a brief AI-generated summary: "This thread revolves around a user's decision to leave Joplin for Evernote due to persistent synchronization issues. The original poster, scerwin, expresses frustration with Joplin's sync problems, which resulted in losing access to their database on both Android and Windows devices. The discussion that follows reveals a range of user experiences, with some reporting years of trouble-free use and others acknowledging similar sync challenges. Various alternative sync methods are suggested, including Syncthing, WebDAV, and Dropbox. A Joplin developer, Laurent, notes that filesystem sync was originally intended only for testing, not as a primary method. Interestingly, some users report that enabling encryption resolves sync issues, though the reason for this isn't clear. The thread also touches on how database size might affect sync performance and compares Joplin's sync capabilities to more robust systems like email. Throughout the discussion, scerwin maintains that a note-taking app should not require users to be overly cautious about cross-device usage and that sync should work seamlessly. The conversation highlights the critical importance of reliable synchronization in note-taking applications and the diverse experiences users have had with Joplin's sync functionality."

I realize now that Joplin's sync issues are widespread, unsolved, and probably existed from the very beginning (see Laurent's comment). See also the blog post Sync issues finally drove me away from the Joplin note-taking app | Ctrl blog. His issues are my issues too.

Today I tried one last time by 1) using Revo to completely remove all traces of Joplin from my Windows computer, 2) reinstalling Joplin, 3) importing my last JEX backup, 4) turning on encryption because a user claimed this helps avoid sync issues, 5) resyncing to Joplin Cloud. Even this attempt is failing, this time because of "sync lock on remote target" (or similar wording, it keeps changing).

I cannot live like this. So goodbye, Joplin. I really wish you were the wonderful alternative to Evernote I first thought you were. But you aren't. So now it's on to AnyNote or Amplenote or Evernote or OneNote or I don't really know what.

Thanks anyway for giving it a try. I'm closing the topic since everything has already been discussed in the other thread.

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