privacyapps.ioPrivacy checkup

Private note-taking apps

15 apps, each with a privacy passport

Notes collect passwords, health details and plans, so who can read them matters. Some apps keep everything on your device, others sync with end-to-end encryption so the server only sees scrambled data. Check whether encryption is on by default and whether you can export everything.

Leaving one of these?

If you only try three

Privacy passport
Standard Notes
Notes
Our pick
No tracking
Yes
Open source
Yes
Only you can read it
Encrypted
No account
Optional
Free
Free plan
5 of 5 checks
- Android
- iPhone
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Web
Encrypted, audited and simple
Privacy passport
Notesnook
Notes
Our pick
No tracking
Minimal
Open source
Yes
Only you can read it
Encrypted
No account
Needed
Free
Free plan
3 of 5 checks
- Android
- iPhone
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Web
Feels like Evernote, encrypted by default
Privacy passport
Joplin
Notes
Our pick
No tracking
Minimal
Open source
Yes
Only you can read it
Partly
No account
Optional
Free
Free plan
3 of 5 checks
- Android
- iPhone
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Free, imports Evernote, sync your way

All 15 note-taking apps

Passes

Works on

15 of 15 apps

Standard NotesPick

App6.7k

Simple, end-to-end encrypted notes that sync on every device, from a company now owned by Proton.

No tracking
Open source
End-to-end encrypted
Account optional
Free plan

Android
iPhone
Mac
Windows
Linux
Web

NotesnookPick

App14.8k

Open-source notes app with encryption always on, rich editing and a capable free plan.

Minimal tracking
Open source
End-to-end encrypted
Account needed
Free plan

Android
iPhone
Mac
Windows
Linux
Web

JoplinPick

App56.9k

Open-source notebooks and to-dos that sync through Joplin Cloud or your own storage, with optional encryption.

Minimal tracking
Open source
Partly encrypted
Account optional
Free plan

Android
iPhone
Mac
Windows
Linux

Nextcloud

Self-hosted37.3k

Run your own cloud for files, calendars, notes and forms on a server you control, with apps for every device.

No tracking
Open source
On your server
Account needed
Free

Android
iPhone
Mac
Windows
Linux
Web

ObsidianAudited

App

Notes kept as plain Markdown files on your device, with optional end-to-end encrypted sync.

No tracking
Closed source
Stays on device
Account optional
Free plan

Android
iPhone
Mac
Windows
Linux

Anytype

App9k

Local-first workspace for notes, tasks and databases that syncs peer to peer with end-to-end encryption.

Has trackers
Partly open
End-to-end encrypted
No account
Free plan

Android
iPhone
Mac
Windows
Linux
Web

AppFlowy

App77.8k

Open-source Notion-style workspace that works offline and can sync to a server you host.

Tracking not stated
Open source
Stays on device
Account optional
Free plan

Android
iPhone
Mac
Windows
Linux
Web

Logseq

App45.4k

Outliner for daily journals and linked notes, stored as plain Markdown files on your own device.

Tracking not stated
Open source
Stays on device
Account optional
Free

Android
iPhone
Mac
Windows
Linux
Web

SiYuan

App46.9k

Local-first knowledge base with blocks and databases; paid sync is end-to-end encrypted.

Tracking not stated
Open source
Stays on device
Account optional
Free plan

Android
iPhone
Mac
Windows
Linux
Web

Trilium Notes

App38.6k

Hierarchical notes for building a personal knowledge base, on desktop or your own sync server.

No tracking
Open source
Stays on device
No account
Free

Mac
Windows
Linux
Web

NotallyX

App774

Keep-style Android notes and lists stored only on your phone, with no internet permission needed.

No tracking
Open source
Stays on device
No account
Free

Android

Fossify Notes

App507

Plain, offline Android notes and checklists from the Fossify family of apps, with no ads or tracking.

No tracking
Open source
Stays on device
No account
Free

Android

Quillpad

App1.4k

Android Markdown notes and task lists, offline or synced with your own Nextcloud.

No tracking
Open source
Stays on device
No account
Free

Android

Cryptee

Service533

Estonian service for encrypted documents and a private photo vault, all running in your browser.

Tracking not stated
Partly open
End-to-end encrypted
Account needed
Free plan

Web

Memos

Self-hosted64.1k

Self-hosted timeline for quick notes and thoughts, like a private microblog that only you can see.

No tracking
Open source
On your server
Account needed
Free

Web

What to check in note-taking apps

1 Sync is end-to-end encrypted, and on by default
2 Works offline and exports to open formats
3 Apps on all your devices, with no tracking SDKs

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