What is Notesnook?
Notesnook is an end-to-end encrypted note-taking alternative to Evernote. It is a free and open-source app focused on user privacy and ease of use, and it encrypts everything on your device using XChaCha20-Poly1305 and Argon2 to follow zero-knowledge principles.
The repository contains all the code needed to build and use the Notesnook web, desktop and mobile clients, plus a web clipper and shared packages for core logic, cryptography and the editor. The front-end is written in TypeScript and JavaScript with React, mobile apps use React Native and the desktop app uses Electron.
The project offers an importer for moving notes from other apps, a Vericrypt page to verify its encryption claims, a roadmap, and support through email, Discord and Twitter.
Notesnook screenshots
Explore the interface. Open a screenshot to view it at full size.
Source: official Notesnook project page.
Key capabilities
- On-device encryption Encrypts data locally using XChaCha20-Poly1305 and Argon2 as part of a zero-knowledge approach.
- Automatic saving Creates notes when typing begins and saves changes after a pause.
- Note organization Provides nested notebooks for structuring notes.
- Editor feedback Displays the current note's word count and last saved time.
- Web clipping Includes a web clipper and a shared component for capturing web pages.
- Client source code Publishes the implementation of its web, desktop and mobile clients.
Where Notesnook fits
Notesnook fits personal note-taking and reference-writing workflows where on-device encryption is a selection criterion. Its desktop and web editor supports starting a note directly by typing, while the mobile interface allows the editor to be opened with a swipe or a creation button.
Before deployment or migration, users should verify plan limits, import support for their existing material and synchronization behavior. Organizations should also confirm supported desktop operating systems, hosting arrangements and administrative requirements rather than assuming these from the availability of client source code.
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Alternatives to Notesnook
JoplinJoplin is a free, open-source note and to-do app for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, with offline-first storage and encrypted sync.
ObsidianObsidian is a free note-taking app by Dynalist Inc. that stores notes as local Markdown files, with links, graph view, Canvas, Bases, a CLI and community plugins, plus optional paid Sync and Publish services.
LogseqLogseq is a privacy-first, open-source platform for knowledge management and collaboration, with PDF annotation, task management and Markdown or Org-mode files.