EdgeEver
EdgeEver on Product Hunt

Self-hosted notes

A self-hosted Evernote alternative with Docker and Cloudflare

EdgeEver is for people who still want a reliable, open, self-hosted personal knowledge base. The stack is open source. Notes live in SQLite you control, with a REST API, MCP, and a documented Evernote ENEX migration path.

It is not a social timeline and not a folder of local Markdown files. The workspace stays close to classic Evernote: notebook tree, note list, editor.

Who it is for

  • You want Evernote-style notebooks, not a timeline or a file vault.
  • You want to self-host instead of paying a notes SaaS or hitting device caps.
  • You want Cloudflare's free tier, or a one-line Docker install on a VPS or NAS.
  • You want coding agents such as Claude Code or Codex to read and organize notes through native MCP.

Who it is not for

  • If you need default end-to-end encryption like Joplin, EdgeEver does not advertise E2EE. The boundary is that you host the instance.
  • If you need Notion-style databases and block workspaces, stay on Notion or a Notion-like app. EdgeEver is a notes workspace.
  • If you only want local files and no server, Obsidian or a Markdown folder may fit better.

How it differs from common options

Joplin is the usual self-hosted Evernote alternative in English search results. EdgeEver is closer to the classic three-pane notes app, and it ships both Cloudflare free-tier hosting and Docker. The table only records facts that can be checked in this repository or in those products' public docs. It is not a ranking of which tool is better overall.

HostingLayoutClientsEvernote import
EdgeEver Cloudflare free tier or Docker Three-pane notebooks macOS / Windows / Linux / iOS / Android / clipper Documented ENEX + MCP flow
Evernote Vendor cloud, not self-hosted Three-pane notebooks All major platforms —
Joplin Joplin Server or your sync target Notebooks Official apps ENEX supported
Obsidian Local files; official sync is paid File vault All major platforms Community tools
Memos Self-hostable Timeline cards Web-first Not this migration path

What to do next

Self-host on Cloudflare

The default for personal use if you do not want to run a server. A personal library typically fits about 150,000 short notes and 50,000 images.

Open the Cloudflare guide

Self-host with Docker

The same application, installed with one command on a VPS, NAS, or home server. Storage scales with your disk or S3-compatible bucket.

Open the Docker guide

Migrate from Evernote

Use ENEX, evernote-backup, and EdgeEver MCP to keep notebook hierarchy, attachments, and timestamps.

Open the Evernote guide

Migrate from Notion

Use Notion MCP together with EdgeEver MCP and let an AI assistant copy pages across.

Open the Notion guide

FAQ

What is a self-hosted Evernote alternative?

A notes app you deploy yourself, with data in your account or on your hardware, and a workflow close to Evernote notebooks and the three-pane workspace. EdgeEver is built for that, plus open source, MCP, and Cloudflare or Docker hosting.

Can I run it with Docker?

Yes. There is a one-line installer and a full Docker guide for amd64 and arm64, with local files or S3-compatible object storage. Cloudflare and Docker run the same application.

Can I import Evernote notes?

Yes. The documented flow uses ENEX, evernote-backup, and an MCP import script. It preserves created/updated timestamps and nested notebooks. Spot-check notes with images after import.

Is Cloudflare actually free for personal use?

A personal deployment can run within Cloudflare's free quotas, with no extra server to rent. Quotas follow Cloudflare's current limits; move to a paid plan or Docker if you outgrow them.

Are there iOS and Android apps?

Yes. Android is on Google Play and iOS is on the App Store. The iOS app currently requires an Apple ID from outside mainland China. Web Clipper extensions are on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

Is EdgeEver affiliated with Evernote?

No. EdgeEver is an independent open-source alternative. Migration guides only cover data you already own. Evernote is a trademark of its respective owner.