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Notesnook
Secure private note-taking app with end-to-end encryption
Notesnook offers a free, open-source note-taking experience that encrypts every entry on-device using XChaCha20-Poly1305 and Argon2, delivering Evernote-like features without compromising privacy.
Overview
Overview
Notesnook is a privacy‑first note‑taking solution built for individuals and teams who demand that their data never leave their devices unencrypted. By applying XChaCha20‑Poly1305 and Argon2 directly in the browser or native client, the app guarantees zero‑knowledge storage while preserving a familiar, Evernote‑style workflow.
Capabilities & Deployment
The monorepo delivers web, desktop (Electron) and mobile (React Native) clients from a shared TypeScript core, enabling seamless cross‑platform use. Offline‑first design leverages IndexedDB streaming for fast local access, and the GPL‑3.0 license invites community contributions and self‑hosting. Developers can extend functionality through the modular packages (editor, crypto, clipper, theme, etc.) while the Nx workspace simplifies maintenance.
Who Benefits
Privacy‑conscious professionals, students, and open‑source enthusiasts gain a secure, feature‑rich notebook without vendor lock‑in. The app is ready to run on any modern device, with optional self‑hosted backups for those who need extra resilience.
Highlights
End‑to‑end encryption with XChaCha20‑Poly1305 and Argon2
Cross‑platform clients (web, desktop, Android, iOS) from a single codebase
Fully open‑source GPL‑3.0 license with transparent cryptography
Offline‑first storage using IndexedDB streaming file system
Pros
- Strong client‑side encryption protects data from breaches
- No vendor lock‑in; users retain full control of their notes
- Familiar UI comparable to mainstream note apps
- Active community and clear contribution guidelines
Considerations
- All encryption/decryption occurs locally, requiring device storage
- Limited native integrations compared to large SaaS competitors
- Performance may vary on low‑end hardware
- No built‑in real‑time collaborative editing
Managed products teams compare with
When teams consider Notesnook, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.
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Fit guide
Great for
- Privacy‑focused professionals handling sensitive information
- Students who need secure study notes across devices
- Teams that prefer self‑hosted data storage
- Users who value open‑source software and community support
Not ideal when
- Users requiring live collaborative editing
- Enterprises needing a centralized admin console
- People who want automatic cloud backup without manual setup
- Those dependent on extensive third‑party plugin ecosystems
How teams use it
Secure personal journal
All entries are encrypted locally and can be accessed on any device without exposing content to third parties.
Confidential project notes
Team members store and retrieve project details securely, with optional self‑hosted backups for disaster recovery.
Research data collection
Researchers capture field notes on mobile, sync via encrypted files, and analyze them later on desktop without data leakage.
Password‑protected knowledge base
Organizations maintain internal documentation that remains unreadable without the user’s encryption key.
Tech snapshot
TypeScript82%
JavaScript16%
CSS1%
Java1%
HTML1%
Swift1%
Frequently asked questions
How is my data encrypted in Notesnook?
Notesnook encrypts every note on the device using XChaCha20‑Poly1305 for confidentiality and Argon2 for key derivation, ensuring zero‑knowledge storage.
Can I sync notes across devices?
Sync is possible by exporting encrypted backup files and importing them on another device; the service does not store plaintext data.
Is there a cloud service provided by Notesnook?
Notesnook does not offer a proprietary cloud; users can choose their own storage solutions (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive) for encrypted backups.
What platforms are supported?
Web browsers, Windows/macOS/Linux via Electron, and Android/iOS via React Native, all built from the same monorepo.
Is the codebase open source?
Yes, the entire project is released under the GPL‑3.0 license and available on GitHub.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 13,513
- Watchers
- 13,513
- Forks
- 899
LicenseGPL-3.0
Repo age4 years old
Last commit2 days ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languageTypeScript
Last synced 53 minutes ago