Notesnook

Basic Information

Tool Name: Notesnook
Category: Notebooks
URL: https://notesnook.com/
Description: Note-taking app that offers end-to-end encryption and designed to replace mainstream apps without compromising user privacy.
Status: Active

Core Features: End-to-End Encrypted Notes, Markdown Support, Rich Text Editing, Cross-Device Sync, Offline Access, Tags and Notebooks Organization, Secure Note Sharing, Web Clipper, Note Version History, Self-Hosting Option
Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS
Offline Functionality: ✅
Mobile Support: ✅
Languages Supported: Interface: English (but can write in 50+ languages)
Technical Level: Beginner

Security Features: End-to-End Encryption, Zero-Knowledge Architecture, Argon2 Key Derivation, ChaCha20-Poly1305-IETF Encryption, Local-Only Vault Option, Encrypted Backups, Open-Source Codebase, No Telemetry Tracking, Password-Protected Notes, Biometric Lock Support, Encrypted Syncing (When Enabled), Self-Hosting Support.
Data Collection Level: Minimal
Security and Privacy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.20)

Deployment Architecture: A service with a local client that’s hosted by a third party - You install a client on your device, but it connects to and depends on a remote server. Can also be self-hosted.
License: GNU General Public License V3
Cost: Free Core

Maintenance Status: Very frequent updates; Updated about once a month on average. Very responsive development team and can be contacted through email, discord, reddit, and twitter for issues or questions. Notesnook is funded solely through its subscription-based Pro plan and small grassroots community donations, with no government backing. It maintains a public ledger of monthly contributions (as low as $1) and total raised funds (~$171 as of April 2025) through its Open Collective Page. The software appears to be well established and financially stable.
Community Support: ✅
Maintenance and Sustainability Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⯪☆ (3.30)

Full Documentation: Notesnook Documentation
Version Tested: V.3.0.32-904c452-desktop
Date Tested: 2025-04-21
Testing Environment: HP Envy x360 13th Gen Intel(R) i7 processor 16 GB RAM, OS: Windows, Network, WiFi

Limitations and Vulnerabilities: Its platform availability may be limiting, with some platforms lacking full feature parity. The option to self-host requires technical expertise, which can be a barrier for non-technical users. Additionally, the app relies on third-party hosting by default, raising privacy concerns for those wanting full control over their data. Notesnook also lacks some advanced features found in other note-taking apps, such as rich multimedia support and integrations with other tools. The user interface may be complex for some, and the free version has limitations, requiring users to upgrade for syncing across devices. Also, if a user forgets their password, all the data is lost by design (can be good or bad). Lastly, while Notesnook has an active community, it is still relatively small, meaning support might be slower or less comprehensive than more mainstream apps.
Additional Notes: No response