Standard Notes is an open-source, end-to-end encrypted note-taking application designed for professionals and digitalists who prioritize privacy and longevity. Unlike traditional note apps that store data in the clear, Standard Notes encrypts all content locally before syncing, ensuring only the user can access their notes. It supports unlimited devices and offers a free tier with core functionality, making it accessible for individuals and teams seeking a secure alternative to services like Evernote. The application is built with TypeScript and features a modular architecture that allows developers to extend functionality through plugins.
The app is not just a note-taker—it’s a complete digital workspace that supports Markdown, file attachments, and even blog publishing through its integrated service, Listed. With public source code and documented self-hosting options, users retain full control over their data and infrastructure. This makes Standard Notes ideal for privacy-conscious users, developers, and organizations looking to avoid vendor lock-in while maintaining a reliable, long-term note-taking solution.
What You Get
- End-to-end encrypted sync - All notes and files are encrypted on the client before syncing to servers, ensuring only you can decrypt and read your data. No plaintext ever leaves your device.
- Cross-platform support - Native apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android with seamless encrypted sync across all devices.
- Self-hosting capability - You can host your own sync server by building the web app from source and deploying static files via any HTTP server. Configuration is done through environment variables like DEFAULT_SYNC_SERVER.
- Markdown and file support - Write notes in Markdown, attach files (PDFs, images, documents), and organize them with tags—all while maintaining end-to-end encryption.
- Blog publishing via Listed - Publish your notes as a public blog with automatic email newsletters delivered to subscribers, directly from the app without leaving the interface.
- Extensible via plugins - Developers can create and publish custom extensions to add new editors, themes, or features. Comprehensive plugin documentation is available for integration.
Common Use Cases
- Building a private knowledge base - A researcher or writer uses Standard Notes to store research notes, citations, and draft articles with full encryption, ensuring sensitive data remains private even if the sync server is compromised.
- Creating a secure personal journal - An individual stores daily entries, financial records, or health logs in Standard Notes with end-to-end encryption to protect against data breaches and third-party surveillance.
- Privacy-focused team collaboration - A small legal or medical firm uses Standard Notes to securely share case notes and documents across team members without relying on cloud providers that may scan or monetize content.
- Developers self-hosting their sync server - A DevOps engineer deploys the Standard Notes web app on a private server using
yarn build:web and serves it via Python’s HTTP server or Nginx, ensuring full control over data residency and compliance.
- Publishing ideas as a blog without third-party platforms - A content creator uses Listed (integrated with Standard Notes) to turn a private note into a public blog post and auto-deliver it via email, bypassing WordPress or Substack.
Under The Hood
The Standard Notes monorepo is a multi-platform notes application built with a strong emphasis on end-to-end encryption and cross-platform consistency. It leverages a modular, layered architecture to support web, desktop, and mobile clients while maintaining shared core functionalities. The codebase is organized into distinct packages that encapsulate specific domains such as API clients, encryption logic, and platform-specific implementations.
Architecture
This project follows a modular monorepo structure with clear separation of concerns across domain-specific packages.
- Packages are organized by functionality, including API clients, authentication, and user management
- Cross-platform components are shared while maintaining platform-specific customizations
- Domain-driven design principles support extensibility and maintainability
Tech Stack
The project is built using TypeScript with a modern web development stack focused on type safety and reusability.
- Built primarily in TypeScript with React components and a web-based frontend
- Utilizes modern JavaScript frameworks like Lexical for rich text editing and MobX for state management
- Employs Webpack, Yarn, and Lerna for build automation and monorepo management
- Integrates Jest, ESLint, and Prettier for testing, linting, and code formatting
Code Quality
Code quality is maintained through consistent patterns, extensive testing, and strong type safety practices.
- Comprehensive test coverage ensures reliability of core API and desktop modules
- Error handling is implemented with try/catch blocks and custom error types for fault tolerance
- Code consistency is preserved through linting and formatting standards
What Makes It Unique
The project stands out with a service-oriented API design that enables modular integration and extensibility.
- A well-defined API layer with dedicated services for authentication, revisions, and subscriptions
- Modular architecture allows developers to integrate specific functionalities without unnecessary overhead
- Strong emphasis on encryption and cross-platform consistency sets it apart in the notes ecosystem