Private Notes
What Private Notes is
Private Notes is a free, open-source web application for keeping personal notes locally on a device. Notes are stored in the browser with IndexedDB, using localStorage as a fallback, and the app is designed to work offline without external servers or cloud storage. Optional encryption uses AES-GCM, with keys derived through PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 at 1,000,000 iterations. Each encrypted note receives a random salt and initialization vector, while the browser Web Crypto API performs cryptographic operations; passwords are never stored or transmitted. Notes can be organised with tags, colours, filters, sorting, and drag-and-drop ordering. Full-text search covers titles, content, and tags, with results appearing as you type, and basic rich-text formatting is supported. Users can export notes to JSON and import that file for restoration. The application can be installed as a Progressive Web App on mobile and desktop. Self-hosting instructions are provided, with HTTPS required for service workers and secure storage. Private Notes is MIT-licensed, available on the web, and provides no listed integrations.
Who it suits
Private Notes suits people who want offline, browser-based personal notes stored locally. It also fits users seeking optional encryption, JSON backups, and self-hosting.
What it does well
- Free and open-source under the MIT License
- Works offline as a Progressive Web App
- Optional AES-GCM note encryption
- Full-text search across titles, content, and tags
- JSON export and import for backups
What to know first
- Notes remain stored locally on one device
- No external servers or cloud storage
- HTTPS is required for self-hosting features
- No integrations are listed
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free to use · notes stored locally in the browser · optional encryption · offline access | Free |
As notes.idrix.fr lists them, read 13 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Private Notes focuses on local, offline note management with optional encryption and straightforward organisation tools. Its browser storage and self-hosting model suit users who do not need cloud synchronisation.
Facts from Private Notes's own pages
- Backup
- Notes can be exported to and imported from a JSON file. · notes.idrix.fr, 13 Oct 2026
- Backups
- Users can export notes to a JSON file and import a JSON file to restore them. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Compatibility setup
- For servers other than Apache, the maker says to adapt the included .htaccess security and HTTPS configuration. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Optional password-based encryption uses AES-GCM, with PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA256 at 1,000,000 iterations to derive the key. · notes.idrix.fr, 13 Oct 2026
- Encryption details
- A unique random salt and initialization vector are generated for each encrypted note, and cryptographic operations use the browser’s Web Crypto API. · notes.idrix.fr, 13 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · notes.idrix.fr, 21 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The maker’s project description lists no integrations; it says no external servers or cloud storage are used. · notes.idrix.fr, 13 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is licensed under the MIT License. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License and maker
- The project is MIT-licensed and was created by Mounir IDRASSI, described as the author of VeraCrypt. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- The maker describes the app as browser-based, with notes stored locally on the user’s device. · notes.idrix.fr, 13 Oct 2026
- Offline access
- Yes · notes.idrix.fr, 21 Sept 2026
- Offline and PWA
- The app works offline and can be installed as a Progressive Web App on mobile and desktop. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline use
- The app is designed to work offline. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Notes support customizable tags, colors, filtering, sorting, and manual drag-and-drop reordering. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Password handling
- The app states that passwords are never stored or transmitted. · notes.idrix.fr, 13 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- web · notes.idrix.fr, 21 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Private Notes is an open-source web application for managing personal notes locally on a device. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- PWA
- The app supports installation as a Progressive Web App on mobile and desktop. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Search
- Full-text search covers note titles, content, and tags, with results appearing as the user types. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Search and formatting
- The app supports full-text search across notes and tags, plus basic rich-text formatting. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Security headers
- The repository includes configuration for HTTPS enforcement and headers including Content Security Policy, Referrer Policy, and X-Frame-Options. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The maker provides instructions for deploying the application on a server and says HTTPS is required for service workers and secure storage. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Notes are stored in the browser using IndexedDB, with localStorage as a fallback. · github.com, 13 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs questions and suggestions to GitHub issues or direct contact through GitHub. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Private Notes stands on Freedom251
- Note-taking apps#157 of 216