Blinko
Self-HostedOpen-source, self-hosted note-taking app with real-time collaboration
Overview
Blinko is an open-source, self-hosted note-taking tool for privacy-focused individuals and teams. It supports markdown with live preview, real-time collaborative editing, and flexible organization via folders and tags. Users get offline access with automatic sync when reconnected. Deployment is simple—use Docker Compose for one-click setup, or follow bare-metal guides for Node.js/PostgreSQL. It prioritizes data ownership (all notes stay on your server) and integrates with Nextcloud for backup. Lightweight and fast, it avoids bloat while delivering core note-taking and collaboration features.
Key Features
- Markdown support with live preview
- Real-time collaborative editing
- Folder and tag organization
- Offline access with auto-sync
- Docker-based easy deployment
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is Blinko hard to install?
Blinko offers simple deployment via Docker Compose—pull the image, configure basic env vars (database credentials), and run. For non-Docker users, step-by-step guides for bare-metal setup (Node.js + PostgreSQL) are available in the docs.
? Is it a good alternative to Notion?
Blinko is ideal if you want a lightweight, self-hosted alternative focused on core note-taking and collaboration. It lacks Notion’s advanced database/template features but excels at privacy and simplicity without bloat.
? Is it completely free?
Yes—Blinko is open-source under the MIT License. You can use, modify, and self-host it for free with no hidden costs or premium tiers.
Top Alternatives
Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Privacy-focused (data remains on your server)
- ⊕ No recurring subscription fees
- ⊕ Lightweight and fast performance
- ⊕ Real-time collaboration for teams
Cons
- ⊖ Smaller community compared to mainstream tools
- ⊖ Limited third-party integrations
- ⊖ Lacks advanced features like databases (vs Notion)