Standard Notes

Overview

Standard Notes is a note-taking app built around encrypted plain-text notes, device sync and offline access. It suits people who want a secure, cross-platform place for straightforward notes, with paid plans for richer editing and larger storage needs. The free plan covers the basics; the key trade-off is that features such as formatting, revision history and substantial storage sit behind paid tiers.

Key features

Standard’s free plan combines end-to-end encryption, unlimited device sync, offline access, tags and two-factor authentication with plain-text notes. That is a focused set of essentials for readers who value access across devices and account security more than formatting tools. Notes can be shared, but real-time collaboration is not supported, so it is a weaker fit for people who need to edit notes together live.

Productivity adds Markdown and rich-text editing, checklists, code snippets, spreadsheets, folders and a web clipper. These additions broaden the app from a plain-text notebook into a more flexible workspace, while one-year note revision history provides a useful window for recovering earlier versions. Professional raises storage to 100 GB and allows up to five accounts, making it the tier for larger personal collections or a small group of account users.

Standard Notes is open source and integrates with Evernote, Google Keep and Aegis. Those integrations may help people bringing notes or security workflows from those services, though the free plan remains oriented around plain text.

Pricing

Standard is free and includes end-to-end encryption, unlimited device sync, plain-text notes, offline access, tags and two-factor authentication. It is the sensible starting point for readers who need secure, accessible notes without advanced editing.

Productivity costs $90 a year, billed annually. It adds Markdown and rich text, checklists, code snippets, spreadsheets, folders, a web clipper and one-year revision history. Choose it if plain text is too limiting or recovering previous versions matters; the free tier gives up those editing tools and history.

Professional costs $120 a year, billed annually, and adds 100 GB of storage and up to five accounts. It fits people with larger storage requirements or several accounts to accommodate. The lower tiers do not include that storage allocation or account capacity. The published plans specify annual billing for the paid tiers.

Platforms

Standard Notes runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, the web and Windows. Offline access makes it useful when a connection is unavailable, while unlimited device sync on the free plan supports using it across multiple devices.

Who it's for

Choose Standard Notes if you want encrypted, plain-text note keeping with offline access and broad platform coverage, and are comfortable paying for more capable editing or storage. It is less suited to live collaborative work, since real-time collaboration is not supported, or to anyone who expects rich editing in the free plan.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The free plan combines end-to-end encryption, offline access and unlimited device sync, so the essentials work across devices without a subscription.
• Pros: Productivity adds a substantial set of editing tools and one-year revision history for a defined annual price.
• Pros: Six platform options and open-source software give it broad reach and an inspectable foundation.
• Cons: The free plan is limited to plain text, so formatting, checklists, spreadsheets and the web clipper require Productivity.
• Cons: Real-time collaboration is absent, ruling it out for shared live editing.
• Cons: The 100 GB storage and allowance for up to five accounts are reserved for the more expensive Professional tier.

Alternatives

Browse Secure Notes Apps or Note-taking apps to compare options across those categories.

Notesnook is another freemium option with a free plan and support for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows; its free tier has a 50 MB storage allowance and a 10 MB maximum noted in its plan details.

Cryptee offers a free plan with 100 MB and says its software and cryptography are open source and independently reviewable. It may suit readers who want that stated reviewability alongside a small free storage allowance.

PrivacyNotes has a free plan and publishes its web, desktop and mobile apps and encryption code on GitHub under AGPL. It is worth considering for readers who prioritize that published code and licensing.

Dash offers ongoing free use, offline operation and no account requirement on its Web PWA / iPhone plan; it may suit readers who want to begin without an account, though its listed platform range is narrower.

Nolio is a free option for encrypted notes with no specific usage limits stated, across Android, Linux, macOS, web and Windows.

Notyra is a free option for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows; its site says every line of code is auditable.

Turtl offers a Basic plan with three collaborators per Space and 50 MB storage, making it an alternative to consider when collaborator slots are important.

Binderus is a free, open-source desktop app with every feature included and no account required; consider it if desktop-only use and an account-free setup suit you.

Verdict

Standard Notes is a strong choice for people who want encrypted plain-text notes that remain available offline and sync across devices, with paid upgrades when their editing or storage needs grow. Its central limitation is clear: richer editing costs extra, and live collaboration is not part of the package. Choose it for secure personal note keeping; look elsewhere if collaborative editing is essential or you want formatting in a free plan.