Plainpad

Plainpad

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

380stars
33forks
Last commit: 2d ago
Repo age: 7y old
Plainpad screenshot

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.

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