Notesnook

Notesnook is a privacy-focused note-taking application that encrypts notes on the client before sync and storage. It offers desktop, mobile and web clients alongside an open-source sync server and supporting tooling.

Key Features

• End-to-end client-side encryption for notes, with encryption-at-rest and in-transit protections and an open verification tool demonstrating the encryption model.
• Cross-platform clients (desktop, web, mobile) and a browser web clipper for saving pages and articles privately.
• Self-hostable sync server and supporting services (identity, SSE messaging, attachments storage) published under an open-source license.
• Note editor features: Markdown support, tables, code blocks, maths/formulas, lists, task lists, embeds, images and file attachments.
• Bidirectional note linking for personal knowledge management and internal linking between notes.
• Notes vault and password-protected shares for additional access control on sensitive notes.
• Reminders and basic task scheduling integrated in the app.
• Deployment tooling: official repository includes Docker Compose manifests to run services with MongoDB and MinIO for storage.

Use Cases

• Secure personal note-taking and journaling where client-side encryption and privacy are required.
• Personal knowledge management and research workflows using bidirectional links, markdown, and cross-device sync.
• Sharing documents or notes securely with password-protected shared links while keeping primary data encrypted.

Limitations and Considerations

• Self-hosting of the sync server is marked alpha: documentation and official support are limited and self-hosting is provided without support. The repository and Docker Compose make self-hosting possible but administrators should be prepared to manage components (MongoDB, MinIO, identity and messaging services) themselves.
• Some on-premise/self-host settings and full documentation were stated as in progress; production hardening, scaling guidance, and enterprise support may be limited.

Notesnook combines a consumer-facing encrypted note service with open-source clients and a sync server repository. It is geared toward users who prioritize privacy and want the option to run their own sync infrastructure or review the server code.