Privacy-Focused Note-Taking Apps
Let your notes be private and secure
Having a place to write down your thoughts, projects, and ideas is important for us since it gives us the space to work through them. That's why, when using a note-taking application, it's crucial to choose one that does all that while not spying or leaking your most private notes. If you want a more privacy-focused place to write down your notes, then you should check out the following note apps:
1.) Cryptee
Cryptee acts more like a word processor and document editor, but it can still be used as a note-taking application. Based in Estonia, it is open source and supports end-to-end encryption. Some features it offers are PDFs and password-protected PDFs. Cryptee also has a photo storage option, giving you a privacy-focused alternative to Google Photos. Cryptee is free, but to get more storage, you will need to pay.
2.) Standard Notes
Standard Notes is a U.S.-based note-taking application. It is open source and supports end-to-end encryption. Features that Standard Notes have to offer include offline access and password protected notes. It is free, but to get their more advanced features, such as revision history and backup files on your computer, you will need to pay.
✨Note: Standard Notes was bought by Proton in April 2024.
3.) Notesnook
Notesnook is a Pakistan based note-taking application. It is open source and supports end-to-end encryption. Features that it has to offer include offline access and unlimited notes. It is free, but to gain features such as unlimited storage and automatic backups, you will need to purchase their Pro plan.
4.) Joplin
Joplin is a note-taking application based in France. Although it is open source and can support end-to-end encryption, it is not on by default; you must enable that feature manually. Some features it has to offer include multimedia notes and the opportunity to customize the app. Joplin is free, but if you would like to support its development, donations are welcome.
5.) Beaver Notes
Beaver Notes is a note-taking application. It is open source, but it does not support end-to-end encryption. However, Beaver Notes stores all data locally, meaning it stays on your computer and nothing is being sent to servers. Some features it offers include the ability to create PDFs and offline access. Beaver Notes is free to use, and if you want to support their work, they welcome donations.
6.) Handwritten Notes
Instead of relying on software to take your notes, you can do it the old-fashioned way by writing them. All you need is a notebook and a pen or pencil, and you are good to go. The benefit of handwritten notes is that you don’t have to worry about hacking, you don't have to increase your digital footprint, they are stored locally in a notebook, and they are distraction-free. The downsides include no backups, being unable to collaborate, and not being able to create PDFs.
If you know of any other privacy focused note-taking applications, feel free to leave them in the comments.
Until Next Time,
Monique ✏️
Obsidian is great too