Notesnook

An end-to-end encrypted, open-source note-taking app and Evernote alternative, with apps for every platform and zero-knowledge sync.

14.9k stars, 1k forks TypeScript On GitHub since April 2021

Visit website View on GitHub How to run it

What is Notesnook?

Notesnook encrypts every note on your device with XChaCha20-Poly1305 and Argon2 before it syncs, so the server never sees your content. It organizes notes in notebooks and tags, supports rich text, attachments, reminders, note locking and version history, and imports from Evernote and other apps. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and the web, and sync runs through Notesnook's servers without them being able to read your notes. The interface comes in 10 languages.

Good fit if

  • Privacy matters most and you want zero-knowledge encryption by default.
  • You want the same notes app on phone, desktop and web.

Look elsewhere if

  • You want plain Markdown files instead of an encrypted database: Joplin or Zettlr.
  • You want another long-running encrypted notes service: Standard Notes.

Before you adopt it

Notesnook is GPL-3.0, and contributors sign a CLA. The company funds development through Notesnook Pro subscriptions with larger limits; the apps work without one.

Drafted with AI from the project's README and repository data, then checked against that data on 30 October 2026. Report a correction

Notesnook health: is it still maintained?

74 of 100, actively developed

  • Activity
    263 commits in the last 90 days, the latest on 31 October 2026.
    29 / 30
  • Contributors
    6 people wrote the latest 100 commits; the most active wrote 38% of them.
    11 / 20
  • Releases
    15 releases in the last 12 months; the latest, v3.4.11, on 26 October 2026.
    19 / 20
  • Replies to issues
    Too few recent issues from outside the team to measure, so this part gets a neutral score.
    10 / 20
  • Security practices
    No OpenSSF Scorecard for this repository yet, so this part gets a neutral score.
    5 / 10

Read from GitHub on 1 November 2026. How the score works

Notesnook license: is it open source?

Notesnook uses GPL-3.0, an open-source license approved by the OSI. Contributors sign a contributor license agreement, which lets the owner relicense their work later.

  1. April 2021First published on GitHub.
  2. TodayGPL-3.0. A contributor license agreement is required.

How to run Notesnook yourself

Docker
Dockerfile or compose file in the repository
Compose file
None in the repository
Setup effort
Not rated: no compose file to judge from
Kubernetes
No Helm chart in the repository
Desktop and mobile
Builds for Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, including ARM in GitHub releases
Interface languages
10 languages

Install instructions: notesnook.com or the README on GitHub.

Alternatives to Notesnook

  • Trilium NotesBuild your personal knowledge base with Trilium Notes 80 health · AGPL-3.0 · 38.6k stars
  • MemosMemos is an open-source, self-hosted note-taking app that brings your everyday thoughts together in a… 83 health · MIT · 64.2k stars
  • JoplinJoplin - the privacy-focused note taking app with sync capabilities for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and… 87 health · AGPL-3.0 · 57k stars
  • Standard NotesThink fearlessly with end-to-end encrypted notes and files. For issues, visit… 62 health · AGPL-3.0 · 6.7k stars
  • flatnotesA self-hosted, database-less note taking web app that utilises a flat folder of markdown files for storage. 41 health · MIT · 3.3k stars

All 34 projects in Notes & knowledge bases

Questions about Notesnook

Is Notesnook open source?

Yes. Notesnook is published under GPL-3.0, an OSI-approved open-source license.

Is Notesnook still maintained?

Its health score is 74 of 100 (actively developed). It had 263 commits in the last 90 days, the latest on 31 October 2026, and its latest release came out on 26 October 2026.

How do I run Notesnook?

You can run it with Docker, as an app for Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, including ARM. The README on GitHub has the exact steps.

What are the alternatives to Notesnook?

Close alternatives in the Notes & knowledge bases category include Trilium Notes, Memos, Joplin.