Dash

Overview

Dash is a private notes app with local AI support and an open-source MIT license. It will appeal most to people who want device-held notes and privacy controls rather than broad platform coverage. The core app works offline; syncing across devices costs extra.

Key features

Dash keeps notes on the device and works offline unless you enable sync. Locked notes use AES-256-GCM, with keys derived by PBKDF2-SHA256 at 600,000 iterations. App locking supports a master password, Touch ID or Face ID, and configurable auto-lock timers. A duress password opens decoy notes while the real notes stay encrypted, and notes can be set to delete after one hour, one day, one week or one month. These controls suit sensitive personal notes, though they do not replace protecting the device itself.

The block editor combines folders and tags with wiki-style links, giving connected notes some structure without requiring a more elaborate system. Local AI works with Ollama, LM Studio, LocalAI, Jan and other OpenAI-compatible servers running on localhost. Dash rejects non-local endpoints, so note data cannot leave the machine through its AI feature. That is a useful safeguard for local-model users, but rules out hosted AI services.

Pages and folders export to Markdown, DOCX or PDF, while encrypted .dashpack backups offer a separate way to preserve notes. Dash Sync encrypts notes on the device before sending them; the relay stores only ciphertext. Note sharing is supported, but real-time collaboration is not, so Dash is better suited to personal notes than shared live editing.

Pricing

Dash separates free note-taking from paid access to its Mac app and cross-device sync. The Web PWA and iPhone options are free ongoing use, and neither requires an account. The iPhone plan is free, with no purchase or trial; the Web PWA is free, works in any browser without installation and is free forever. These are the clearest choices for readers who do not need the native Mac app or paid sync.

Dash for Mac costs $14.99 a month, billed as lifetime access with no subscription required. It includes the native macOS app, automatic updates, Touch ID support and offline-by-default use. The unusual monthly price wording sits alongside lifetime access, so buyers should pay attention to the stated billing terms; the plan is for Mac users who want the native app rather than just the free PWA.

Dash Sync Monthly costs $4.99 a month after a 7-day free trial and includes end-to-end encrypted syncing across devices; it can be cancelled anytime. Dash Sync Yearly costs $47.99 a year, also with a 7-day free trial, and the page says it saves two months versus monthly billing. The yearly option fits people committed to syncing; monthly is the more flexible choice. Sync is the paid step for users who want notes to move between devices, while free use remains offline or browser-based.

Platforms

Dash supports macOS, iOS and the web, with Android access through a web PWA. There are no shipped Windows or Linux apps. That makes it a natural fit for Mac and iPhone owners, while Android users must accept a browser-based app and Windows or Linux users should look elsewhere. Offline access is supported, but Dash Sync is a separate paid plan.

Who it's for

Choose Dash if you want offline notes, device-side encryption, granular lock options and AI that stays local, especially if you already use a Mac or iPhone or run a compatible local model. It is less suitable if you need a native Windows or Linux app, hosted AI, or real-time collaboration.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Notes stay on-device by default and work offline, with device-side encryption for locked notes.
• Pro: Duress access, timed deletion and configurable auto-lock give privacy-conscious users more control over note access.
• Pro: Local AI rejects non-local endpoints, and exports include Markdown, DOCX and PDF.
• Con: Windows and Linux apps are not shipped, and Android access is through the web PWA.
• Con: Cross-device sync requires a paid plan, and collaboration is not real-time.
• Con: Local AI requires a compatible server running on localhost; hosted AI endpoints are excluded.

Alternatives

Notesnook is a better fit if you need apps across Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, macOS and the web; its free plan has a 50 MB storage-per-month limit and a 10 MB maximum file size.

Cryptee suits readers who want a free plan with 100 MB and software and cryptography its maker says can be reviewed independently, alongside wider platform coverage.

PrivacyNotes is worth considering if you want apps across desktop and mobile platforms and published app and encryption code under AGPL.

Standard Notes is an alternative for plain-text notes, offline access and unlimited device sync on its free Standard plan.

Nolio is a free, open-source encrypted-notes option with no specific usage limits stated.

Notyra is a free option whose site says every line of code is auditable.

QOwnNotes is another free alternative.

Turtl is an alternative if you need collaboration: its Basic plan allows three collaborators per Space and 50MB storage.

For more options, browse Secure Notes Apps or Note-taking apps.

Verdict

Dash is a strong choice for Mac and iPhone users who want offline notes, device-side privacy controls and local AI without sending note content to a hosted AI service. Its main reasons to look elsewhere are limited native platform reach and the extra cost of cross-device sync.