Standard Notes

An end-to-end encrypted notes app focused on privacy and longevity, with sync across unlimited devices and a server you can self-host.

6.7k stars, 565 forks TypeScript On GitHub since December 2016

Visit website View on GitHub How to run it

What is Standard Notes?

Standard Notes encrypts notes and files on your devices, so only you can read them, and syncs them across any number of devices for free. Apps run on the web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. Paid plans unlock editors such as Markdown, rich text, code and spreadsheets, along with file storage and more features. The source is public, and you can run your own sync server. The company has been part of Proton since 2024.

Good fit if

  • You want encrypted notes from a company with a long privacy track record.
  • You want to self-host the sync server.

Look elsewhere if

  • You want every editor and feature free: Joplin or Notesnook.
  • You want notes as plain Markdown files: Zettlr.

Before you adopt it

Standard Notes moved from GPL-3.0 to AGPL-3.0 in February 2018. The code is open, but many editors and features are tied to a paid subscription on the official service.

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

Standard Notes health: is it still maintained?

62 of 100, actively developed

  • Activity
    74 commits in the last 90 days, the latest on 30 October 2026.
    23 / 30
  • Contributors
    4 people wrote the 74 commits of the last 90 days; the most active wrote 76% of them.
    9 / 20
  • Releases
    2 releases in the last 12 months; the latest, @standardnotes/desktop@3.202.11, on 23 October 2026.
    15 / 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

Standard Notes license: is it open source?

Standard Notes uses AGPL-3.0, an open-source license approved by the OSI.

  1. December 2016First published on GitHub under GPL-3.0.
  2. 23 February 2018Changed to AGPL-3.0. Commit: Readme
  3. TodayAGPL-3.0.

How to run Standard Notes 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, including ARM in GitHub releases
Interface languages
7 languages

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

Alternatives to Standard Notes

  • NotesnookA fully open source & end-to-end encrypted note taking alternative to Evernote. 74 health · GPL-3.0 · 14.9k 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
  • MemosMemos is an open-source, self-hosted note-taking app that brings your everyday thoughts together in a… 83 health · MIT · 64.2k stars
  • QOwnNotesQOwnNotes is a plain-text file notepad and todo-list manager with Markdown support and Nextcloud / ownCloud… 79 health · GPL-2.0 · 5.9k stars
  • Trilium NotesBuild your personal knowledge base with Trilium Notes 80 health · AGPL-3.0 · 38.6k stars

All 34 projects in Notes & knowledge bases

Questions about Standard Notes

Is Standard Notes open source?

Yes. Standard Notes is published under AGPL-3.0, an OSI-approved open-source license.

Is Standard Notes still maintained?

Its health score is 62 of 100 (actively developed). It had 74 commits in the last 90 days, the latest on 30 October 2026, and its latest release came out on 23 October 2026.

Did Standard Notes change its license?

Yes. It moved from GPL-3.0 to AGPL-3.0 on 23 February 2018.

How do I run Standard Notes?

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

What are the alternatives to Standard Notes?

Close alternatives in the Notes & knowledge bases category include Notesnook, flatnotes, Memos.