Standard Notes
Encrypted notes app focused on longevity, privacy, and plain-text durability.
Quick facts
- Price model
- Freemium
- Starting price
- Free core; paid plans for extensions
- Best for
- Private shopping and medical notes · Long-term text you want to keep · Simple daily writing
- Replaces
- Bear, Simplenote Plus, Apple Notes with cloud lock-in
- Platforms
- MacWindowsLinuxiOSAndroidWeb
- Last verified
- 2026-06-22
Why it's listed
Built to last decades—encrypted plain text you can export and read in any editor.
Standard Notes encrypts your notes end-to-end with a clean writing experience. Core notes are free; extended editors and backup options are available as subscriptions or long-term plans—check current pricing.
The catch
Jump to setup guide ↓Rich features like spreadsheets and tasks require paid extensions.
How to set up Standard Notes
Encrypted notes built to last—core writing free, extensions only if you need them.
- Time
- 15–25 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Verified
- 2026-06-22
Before you start
- Email for account
- Strong account password + backup export plan
- Decide if free plain notes are enough
Create account and app
Sign up at standardnotes.com. Install desktop/mobile apps. Log in—notes encrypt client-side.
Write in plain text first
Use default editor for passwords-in-prose, medical notes, shopping lists. Confirm sync on second device.
Enable backup export
Preferences → Backups → schedule encrypted backup file to disk monthly.
Evaluate extensions
Spreadsheets, tasks, rich text are paid extensions—try free core 30 days before subscribing.
Optional — self-host sync
Advanced: Standard Notes sync server on homelab for subscription-free sync—only if comfortable with server upkeep.
Troubleshooting
- Forgot password
- Account recovery only via backup export you made—no vendor reset by design.
- Extension not worth cost
- Stay on free plain notes; use LibreOffice for spreadsheets.
- Need local graph
- Obsidian/Logseq for PKM; Standard Notes for durable encrypted text.
Keep it working
- Download backup file quarterly
- Rotate account password yearly
- Don't rely on extensions you won't pay for long-term
Official docs: standardnotes.com/help
Good fit for
- Privacy-focused writers
- People burned by note app shutdowns
Not ideal for
- Heavy wiki and graph users
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