Standard Notes
An end-to-end encrypted notes app with open-source code and audited security.
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Standard Notes
Standard Notes is a notes app built around privacy: every note and file is end-to-end encrypted on your device before it syncs, and the code is open source and has been independently audited. The free plan gives you encrypted plain-text notes, tags, offline access and unlimited devices. Paid plans, billed yearly, add Markdown, rich text, checklists, spreadsheets and other note types, encrypted file storage, longer revision history, and on the top plan sharing with family accounts. Apps are available for the web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android, and you can self-host the sync server if you want full control. The company says it is funded by its users rather than venture capital. The downsides are that the free tier is quite bare, the editor types feel less fluid than mainstream apps, and the paid plans are pricier than some rivals. It suits journalists, lawyers and anyone who wants notes nobody else can read.
Best for: Privacy-focused users who want every note end-to-end encrypted.
Pros and cons
What works
- End-to-end encryption on every plan
- Open-source, independently audited code
- Free plan works on unlimited devices
- Self-hostable sync server
Why people leave
- Free plan is limited to plain-text notes
- Paid plans cost more than many rivals
- Editors feel less polished than mainstream apps
Top Standard Notes alternatives
See all 6- 1
Joplin72.8Open-source notes with optional end-to-end encryption over your own sync service.
- 2
Obsidian70.9Local Markdown files that never leave your device unless you choose to sync.
- 3
Anytype69.0Local-first, encrypted workspace with objects and linked notes.
- 4
Notesnook66.5Also encrypted and open source, with a richer editor and a cheaper entry plan.
- 5
Simplenote53.6Simpler and completely free if encryption is not a priority.
Why people left Standard Notes
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Standard Notes: common questions
Is Standard Notes free?
Standard Notes has a free plan and paid plans.
Is Standard Notes open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at standardnotes/app. You can also run it on your own server.
What platforms does Standard Notes run on?
Standard Notes is available for Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Self-hosted.
What are the best alternatives to Standard Notes?
The highest-ranked Standard Notes alternatives right now are Joplin, Obsidian and Anytype. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.