Plainpad

Plainpad is a self-hosted note taking application focused on simplicity, privacy, and ease of deployment. It provides a web-based interface with offline support and encrypts notes before storing them in the database to protect user data.

Key Features

• Per-user note storage with encryption applied before persistence
• Web Progressive Web App (PWA) frontend with offline access and sync
• Multi-user support with user isolation so users cannot read each other's notes
• Built with a PHP backend (Laravel) and a JavaScript frontend; frontend build uses Node.js tooling
• Easy deployment via Docker Compose for simple local or server installs
• Uses a relational database (MySQL) for storing encrypted notes and metadata

Use Cases

• Personal, privacy-focused note taking where users retain full control of their data
• Small teams or organizations needing isolated user notes hosted on internal infrastructure
• Offline-capable note access for mobile or intermittent connectivity scenarios

Plainpad is a minimal, privacy-oriented notes platform suitable for users who want a self-hosted, encrypted notes solution with straightforward deployment and offline support. It emphasizes simple UX and data ownership while relying on common web and container tooling for installation.