Notesnook | Open source & zero knowledge private note taking app | WarmIndex

Notesnook is an open-source, end-to-end encrypted note-taking app focused on privacy and zero-knowledge principles for users who want secure, distraction-free note organization.

🚀 Overview

Notesnook is a cross-platform note-taking application that prioritizes user privacy above all else. Unlike mainstream apps that track and monetize your data, Notesnook encrypts everything end-to-end on your device using XChaCha20-Poly1305 and Argon2, ensuring zero-knowledge access—even the developers can't read your notes.

It solves the critical problem of data spying, tracking, and breaches in popular note apps like Evernote by making privacy the default: notes are encrypted at rest, in transit, and in the cloud. No one can sell or access your ideas.

What problem does this project solve? Lack of true privacy in note-taking apps.
Who is it built for? Privacy-conscious individuals, students, professionals, and anyone storing sensitive notes.
Why did you build it? To provide a transparent, open-source alternative where users control their data without compromises.

Keep it human and honest: Notesnook was born from frustration with invasive apps, aiming to make secure notes accessible to everyone, not just tech elites.

✨ Key Features

End-to-end encryption & sync: Secure syncing across web, desktop, mobile with zero-knowledge; self-hostable server.
Rich editing tools: Markdown support, tables, code blocks, math, images, files, task lists, outlines—everything for powerful notes.
Privacy extras: App lock, notes vault (device-encrypted), password-protected sharing, web clipper.
Organization & reminders: Notebooks, tags, recurring reminders, custom shortcuts.
Upcoming: Full localization, keyboard shortcuts, multi-window support.

🛠 Tech Stack

Frontend: React (web/desktop), React Native (mobile), TypeScript
Backend: Node.js-based self-hostable sync server
Database: SQLite (core), IndexedDB (client-side)
Auth: Custom email-based
Hosting: Official cloud servers or self-host via Docker

👥 Who Is This For?

This project is useful for:

Privacy enthusiasts who want to ___ take notes without surveillance
Students and educators looking for ___ affordable secure organization (education discounts)
Professionals building ___ vaults for ideas and tasks privately

📸 Screenshots / Demo

Live demo: https://notesnook.com (free signup)
GitHub: https://github.com/streetwriters/notesnook

🔥 Project Status

🟢 Actively building

Last updated: 2026-03-24

❓ FAQ

Is this project free?

Freemium — Free tier with 50MB/mo storage, limited features; Pro plans (Essential/Pro/Believer) unlock unlimited storage, advanced tools, full offline mode (monthly/yearly, student discounts, 14-day refunds).