Lychee
What Lychee is
Lychee is a free, open-source desktop notes app for focused writing on macOS, Windows, and Linux. It works fully offline and stores notes locally in one SQLite file, with no account required. The maker says there is no tracking, analytics, or telemetry. Its editor handles bold, italic, code, links, and Markdown, while a slash menu keeps note creation on the keyboard. Search returns matches as you type, and heading navigation helps move through long notes. Notes can be grouped naturally without tags or a forced hierarchy, then exported as Markdown. Lychee is available on a free-forever plan priced at $0, including all core features. The MIT license permits open-source use. The maker describes the product as desktop-only and lists no mobile companion, real-time collaboration, or built-in AI.
Who it suits
Lychee suits people who want private, local note writing across desktop operating systems. It is less suited to mobile users or teams needing live collaboration.
What it does well
- Works fully offline
- Stores notes in one local SQLite file
- No account or telemetry
- Markdown export available
- MIT licensed and free forever
What to know first
- Desktop-only
- No mobile companion
- No real-time collaboration
- No built-in AI
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free forever · all core features · MIT licensed | Free |
As lycheenote.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Lychee focuses on local, distraction-light note writing with useful Markdown and search tools. Its lack of mobile and collaboration features defines its scope.
Facts from Lychee's own pages
- Editor
- The editor supports bold, italic, code, links, and Markdown. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Export
- The maker says notes can be exported as Markdown so users can move them out anytime. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · lycheenote.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes Lychee as a focused notes app for people who want a clean, fast place to write. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- Lychee is open source under the MIT License. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Limits
- The maker describes Lychee as desktop-only and lists no mobile companion, real-time collaboration, or built-in AI. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Navigation
- Users can jump between headings in long notes. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline access
- Yes · lycheenote.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Offline use
- Lychee works fully offline. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Lychee supports natural note grouping without tags or a forced hierarchy. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The download page offers desktop releases for macOS, Windows, and Linux (.deb and .rpm). · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says Lychee requires no account and has no tracking, analytics, or telemetry. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Lychee is a local-first desktop notes app for people who want a focused place to write. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Search
- Lychee includes a search experience that returns results as the user types. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Slash menu
- A slash menu lets users build notes without leaving the keyboard. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Notes are stored locally in one SQLite file on the user's machine. · lycheenote.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Lychee stands on Freedom251
- Note-taking apps#118 of 216