CherryTree
What CherryTree is
CherryTree is a free, offline hierarchical note-taking application for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its nested structure supports rich text and syntax highlighting, while notes can be saved in one XML or SQLite file or across multiple files and directories. Notes can include images, embedded files, multilevel lists, simple tables, codeboxes, and rendered LaTeX equations.
Code nodes and codeboxes can run code, and an embedded terminal is available on Linux and macOS. CherryTree imports HTML, plain text, and notes from applications including Gnote, KeepNote, Tomboy, and Zim. Selected notes or an entire tree can be printed or exported to PDF, HTML, plain text, or CherryTree format. Password protection is limited to single-file storage; opening a protected document creates an unprotected temporary copy that remains until CherryTree closes. The maker says the program does not transfer information to other networked systems unless requested by the user or operator. Version 1.7.2 is listed as the latest stable release. Note sharing and real-time collaboration are not included.
Who it suits
CherryTree suits people who want a free desktop tool for structured notes, including code or rich content, and need offline access. It is less suited to workflows that depend on shared notes or simultaneous collaboration.
What it does well
- Free and available on three desktop systems
- Works offline
- Imports notes from several applications
- Exports notes or trees to multiple formats
- Runs code in codeboxes and code nodes
What to know first
- No note sharing
- No real-time collaboration
- Password protection only for single-file storage
- Protected documents create a temporary unprotected copy
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CherryTree | Free and open source; GPLv3+ source code | Free |
As giuspen.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
CherryTree offers flexible, offline note organization with support for code, rich content, imports, and exports. Its lack of sharing and collaboration matters for people working with others, and password protection has a temporary-copy limitation.
Facts from CherryTree's own pages
- Android and web
- The maker page links to a third party Android project and a third party web interface for notes exported to HTML. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Code tools
- Code nodes and codeboxes can run code, and an embedded terminal is available on Linux and macOS. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- It can print or export selected notes or the whole tree to PDF, HTML, plain text, or CherryTree format. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · giuspen.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Import and export
- It can import HTML and plain text, and supports imports from several note taking applications including Gnote, KeepNote, Tomboy, and Zim. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Linux and macOS feature
- The embedded terminal feature is available on Linux and macOS. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker and authors
- The product page credits Giuseppe Penone and Evgenii Gurianov as CherryTree's writers. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Network behavior
- The maker states that the program will not transfer information to other networked systems unless specifically requested by the user or operator. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Note sharing
- No · giuspen.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Offline access
- Yes · giuspen.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Supported platforms
- windows,macos,linux · giuspen.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Real-time collaboration
- No · giuspen.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Release and downloads
- The page lists version 1.7.2 as the latest stable release and provides Windows, macOS, and Linux downloads or package links. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Rich content
- It supports images, embedded files, multilevel lists, simple tables, codeboxes, and rendered LaTeX equations. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Security limitation
- Password protection is available only for single-file storage, and opening a protected document extracts an unprotected copy to a temporary filesystem folder until CherryTree closes. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Notes can be stored in a single XML or SQLite file, or in multiple files and directories. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The user manual directs people with questions to the community forum and says donations are appreciated. · giuspen.net, 12 Oct 2026
- What it does
- CherryTree is a hierarchical note taking application with rich text and syntax highlighting. · giuspen.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where CherryTree stands on Freedom251
- Note-taking apps#85 of 216