Work · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Brain, a commandline note-taking tool for creating a zettelkasten

A commandline tool for keeping a zettelkasten to organize your notes. - robert-lag/brain

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Brain, a commandline note-taking tool for creating a zettelkasten launched in 2022; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Layer ▲998

   Brain-Inspired planner

   2024 · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Luhmann's Zettelkasten for Notion▲89

   The best second brain system for knowledge workers

   2022 · philipp-stelzel.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Notion Zettelkästen▲74

   Create an extension of your brain using Notion

   2021 · notionzettelkasten.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Scrintal▲784

   Go from ideas to insights, one block at a time

   2024 · scrintal.com · its alternatives →

5. 5
   RemNote▲236

   The all-in-one tool for thinking and learning

   2021 · remnote.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Echonotes▲120

   Quickly organize ideas into clear, structured notes

   2023 · echonotes.io · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Notes Tab▲209

   Take notes faster and easier

   2024 · markdownnotestab.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Brainio▲190

   Brainio combines rich-text notes with visual mind maps. Organize your thoughts, link ideas, and collaborate in real time across desktop and web.

   2020 · brainio.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Flomo – a minimal note-taking tool based on zettelkasten method▲49

   像发微博一样记笔记，记录你想法的川流。全平台覆盖，还支持微信服务号输入。

   2022 · flomoapp.com · its alternatives →

10. 10
    note.md▲280

    your notes and research documentation now a local LLM Memory

    Jun 2026 · notemd.org · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Journal 2.0 for Desktop▲179

    Bring your projects to life.

    2020 · selfemployed.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Simple tool for creating and organizing daily notes on the command line▲74

    Simple tool for creating and organizing daily notes on the command line - dkaslovsky/textnote

    2021 · github.com · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Journal▲183

    Organize all your ideas

    2018 · selfemployed.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Braindump, a simple note platform to organize your life▲91

    BrainDump is a simple, powerful, and open note taking platform that makes it easy to organize your life. - levlaz/braindump

    2015 · github.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Noteship for Mac▲117

    From notes to knowledge

    2021 · noteship.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Journal Brain Planner▲76

    Journal brain planner will track your progress each month

    2023 · aravindnotionace.gumroad.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    Brainstream▲114

    Agentic AI notes: smart search, briefs & tasks

    Feb 2026 · usebrainstream.app · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Frankenlist▲70

    Take notes just like on paper

    2021 · its alternatives →

19. 19IB
    I built my own second brain software tool▲41

    Field notes on shipping fast, privacy-first, evergreen web products.

    2021 · joeldare.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Brainflow notes▲71

    Personal journaling and note-taking

    2022 · brainflow.app · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Simple command line note taking tool▲84

    Daily notes command line tool. Contribute to tomlockwood/dn development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2019 · github.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    BrainFlow▲89

    Turn your rambling thoughts into coherent notes

    Jun 2026 · brainflow.tech · its alternatives →

23. 23
    SECOND BRAIN 2.0▲111

    Get organized, get productive with Second Brain 2.0

    2023 · oussamaltrx21.gumroad.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    WingNotes▲78

    The most productive way to take study notes

    2019 · wingnotes.app · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →