
Plainpad
Self-hosted note-taking app with encrypted notes and PWA support

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.
Categories:
Tags:
Tech Stack:
Similar Services

AppFlowy
Open-source collaborative workspace and Notion alternative
Open-source, privacy-focused collaborative workspace for notes, databases, kanban boards and AI-assisted writing; desktop, mobile and web clients with local-first storage...

AFFiNE
Open-source, local-first knowledge workspace for docs, whiteboards and databases
All-in-one, privacy-focused workspace that merges docs, whiteboards and databases with real-time collaboration and multimodal AI assistance.

Memos
Privacy-first self-hosted note-taking and knowledge base
Memos is a lightweight, privacy-first self-hosted note-taking service with Markdown, fast search, and sharing features for personal notes, wikis, and team knowledge.


Joplin
Offline-first note-taking app with end-to-end encrypted sync
Joplin is an offline-first, privacy-focused note and to-do app with end-to-end encryption, Markdown support, web clipping, and sync across desktop and mobile.

SiYuan
Privacy-first block-based personal knowledge management app
Open-source, block-oriented personal knowledge manager with Markdown WYSIWYG, block-level two-way links, encrypted sync, Docker deployment and AI integrations.


Logseq
Privacy-first knowledge management and collaboration platform
Logseq is a privacy-first, open-source knowledge management app for networked notes, tasks, and collaboration using local Markdown or Org-mode graphs.
JavaScript
Laravel
Docker
React
PHP
Node.js