Turtl

Self-Hosted

Secure, end-to-end encrypted note-taking and knowledge management

Overview

Turtl is a privacy-focused note-taking tool that encrypts all data end-to-end, ensuring only you access your content. It supports notes, bookmarks, file attachments, notebooks, and tagging for organization. Self-hostable via Docker or manual setup (PostgreSQL/Redis), it lets you control your data fully. Sync across devices works with self-hosted instances or the official service. Ideal for users prioritizing security over mainstream integration features.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  turtl:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: turtl
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

End-to-end encryption for all content
Supports notes, bookmarks, files, and notebooks
Self-hostable via Docker or manual deployment
Cross-device sync (self-hosted or official service)
Tagging and full-text search

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Turtl hard to self-host?

Turtl offers Docker images that simplify self-hosting for most users. Manual setup requires PostgreSQL, Redis, and backend configuration—challenging for beginners but well-documented in official guides.

? Is Turtl a good alternative to Notion?

Yes for privacy-focused users: Turtl’s end-to-end encryption beats Notion’s limited security. It lacks Notion’s collaboration and database features but excels at secure personal knowledge management.

? Is Turtl completely free?

Yes—Turtl is open-source (MIT license) and free to self-host. The official hosted service has free and paid tiers, but self-hosting has no costs beyond your server resources.

Top Alternatives

Evernote Compare

Notion Compare

Microsoft OneNote Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Note-taking & Editors

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-first design (no third-party data access)
⊕ Full data control with self-hosting
⊕ Multi-content support (notes, files, bookmarks)
⊕ Open-source with active community
⊕ Cross-platform compatibility (web, desktop, mobile)

Cons

⊖ Steeper setup for manual self-hosting
⊖ Limited third-party integrations
⊖ UI feels less polished than commercial tools
⊖ Smaller user base for support