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Standard Notes

Basic Information

  • Tool Name: Standard Notes
  • Category: Notebooks
  • URL: https://standardnotes.com/
  • Description: Free, secure note-taking app with end-to-end encryption and privacy features, offering offline functionality and minimal data collection.
  • Status: Active

Core Features and Compatibility

  • Core Features: End-to-End Encryption, Offline Access, Cross-Platform Sync, Note Tagging, File Linking, Note Starring, Data Export/Import, Two-Factor Authentication, Local Data Storage, Basic Text Editing
  • Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, macOS (Intel, Apple Silicon), iOS, Android, Web App
  • Offline Functionality: ✅
  • Mobile Support: ✅
  • Languages Supported: English
  • Technical Level: Beginner

Security and Privacy

  • Security Features: End-to-End Encryption (XChaCha20-Poly1305), Optional Two-Factor Authentication, No IP Address Storage, Minimal Metadata Collection, Third-Party Security Audits (2022), Local Data Storage, No Location Tracking, No Usage Analytics
  • Data Collection Level: Minimal
  • Security and Privacy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.20)

Deployment and Technical Details

  • Deployment Architecture: A service that is hosted by a third party but can also be self-hosted
  • License: AGPL-3.0
  • Cost: Free Core

Maintenance and Support

  • Maintenance Status: Last GitHub update November 2024, iOS update 9 months ago. Acquired by Proton in April 2024, providing financial stability. Funded through user subscriptions. Development team response time is slow. Small but active community with Discord and Twitter presence.
  • Community Support: ⚠️
  • Maintenance and Sustainability Rating: ⭐⭐⯪☆☆ (2.70)

Performance and Ratings

  • Operational Functionality: ⭐⭐⯪☆☆ (2.70)
  • Usability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⯪ (4.30)
  • Effectiveness and Reliability: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.00)
  • Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⯪☆ (3.61)

Documentation & Testing

  • Full Documentation: Standard Notes Documentation
  • Version Tested: 3.195.13
  • Date Tested: 2025-04-03
  • Testing Environment: HP 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11800H @ 2.30GHz, Windows 64, Network: WiFi

Additional Information

  • Limitations and Vulnerabilities: Limited text editing capabilities in free version (no formatting), Problematic undo/redo functionality (character-by-character), Non-standard indentation behavior, Import functionality issues with backup files, No password recovery option (data loss if password forgotten), Mobile version lacks encryption, Performance issues with large documents, Many features behind paywall including basic formatting
  • Additional Notes: Valuable for civil society organizations in authoritarian environments due to strong encryption, offline functionality, and minimal metadata collection. Not blocked in China. Resource usage varies (Idle: <1% CPU, 278MB RAM; Active: 17% CPU, 875MB RAM). Network usage is minimal (Send: 14 B/sec, Receive: 21 B/sec). Case-sensitive login fields may cause access issues.

Submission Information

  • Submitted By: adequatej
  • Submission Date: 2025-04-05
  • Last Updated: 2025-04-05