Notesnook

Free encrypted notes app for Mac with end-to-end encrypted sync, a private vault and a web clipper.

Alternative toBearEvernoteObsidian
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Notesnook is a note-taking app for Mac from Streetwriters. It encrypts your notes on your own device before they sync, and the whole project is open source. It is built as a private alternative to Evernote.

Notes are sorted into notebooks and tags. The editor handles task lists, tables, outlines, code blocks, math, images and Markdown shortcuts. You can link notes to each other and see backlinks, set repeating reminders, and move the most private notes into a vault that needs a second password. Monographs publish a single note as a web page, with an optional password. The Web Clipper saves articles, and the importer brings in notes from Evernote, Google Keep and Obsidian.

Encryption uses XChaCha20-Poly1305 with Argon2, so the sync server only stores data it cannot read. An app lock adds a PIN or password on top. Notesnook suits people who like Evernote-style notebooks but want their notes unreadable to the service that syncs them. There are apps for desktop, mobile and the web.

The apps and the sync server are licensed under GPL-3.0. The free plan includes unlimited notes on unlimited devices, with caps on storage, notebooks and tags. On Mac there are separate builds for Apple silicon and Intel, and a Homebrew cask.

Frequently asked questions

Is Notesnook free?

Yes. The free plan has unlimited notes on unlimited devices with encrypted sync. It allows 50 MB of uploads a month, files up to 10 MB, and 50 notebooks and 50 tags. The paid Essential, Pro and Believer plans raise those limits and add more storage.

Is Notesnook safe and open source?

Notesnook is open source under GPL-3.0, including the apps and the sync server. Notes are encrypted on your device with XChaCha20-Poly1305 and Argon2 before upload, so the server only holds encrypted data. You can also put notes in a vault with its own password.

How do I install Notesnook?

Download the DMG for Apple silicon or Intel from notesnook.com/downloads, or run brew install --cask notesnook in Terminal. Drag the app to Applications and open it.

What macOS version does Notesnook need?

Neither the Notesnook download page nor the Homebrew cask lists a minimum macOS version. There are native builds for both Apple silicon and Intel Macs.

How does Notesnook compare to Evernote?

Both use notebooks and tags, and both have a web clipper. Evernote's free plan stops at 50 notes, one notebook and sync on one device, while Notesnook's free plan has unlimited notes and devices. Evernote lists in-note encryption for Mac and Windows; Notesnook encrypts every note end to end by default. Notesnook can import your Evernote notes.

Can I publish a note from Notesnook?

Yes. Notesnook calls these Monographs. You can publish a single note as a web page and add a password if you only want certain people to read it.

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