Tangent
What Tangent is
Tangent is a free, open-source notes app for linking thoughts while writing. It stores Markdown files on the user’s computer, works offline, and has no server connection in its storage model. Thread View keeps the route through linked notes visible in sliding panels, while Map View creates nodes and connections as notes are added or followed. Filename-based double-bracket links provide autocomplete and backlinks, and Tangent says links from Obsidian already work. Markdown support includes headings, emphasis, highlights, web links, images, lists, YAML front matter, LaTeX math, Mermaid diagrams, and syntax-highlighted code. Notes can embed local or remote images, audio, video, and PDFs. Nested tags, checkboxes, and a query language help find notes by links, tags, todos, or text. Fonts, colors, spacing, creation rules, CSS, and folder-specific styles are configurable. Tangent runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can sync or version notes through Git, iCloud, Drive, or Dropbox. It is in open alpha and released under Apache 2.0.
Who it suits
Tangent suits people who want local, offline Markdown notes with linked navigation and extensive customization. It is useful for users comfortable with an open-alpha, open-source application.
What it does well
- Free and open source under Apache 2.0
- Offline local Markdown storage
- Thread and Map views for linked notes
- Rich Markdown and embedded media support
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
What to know first
- Still in open alpha
- No real-time collaboration
- No free trial because it is always free
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Open alpha · Open source · Always free | Free |
As tangentnotes.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Tangent combines local Markdown files, linked-note navigation, search, and styling controls in a free desktop app. Its open-alpha status and lack of real-time collaboration are important considerations for shared or production note workflows.
Facts from Tangent's own pages
- Customization
- Users can customize fonts, colors, spacing, creation rules, and CSS, including folder-specific styles. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Embedded media
- Notes can embed local or remote images, audio, video, and PDFs. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · tangentnotes.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Git,iCloud,Drive,Dropbox · tangentnotes.com, 20 Sept 2026
- License and support
- Tangent is open source under Apache 2.0, and questions or requests can be raised in its community Discord or by contacting @TangentNotes on Mastodon. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Local storage
- Tangent reads and writes Markdown files on the user's computer and says there is no server to connect to. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Tangent was created by Taylor Hadden to support his Wikiblogging note-taking style. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Map view
- Map View automatically creates nodes and connections as users write and navigate. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Markdown support
- Tangent supports headers, emphasis, highlights, web links, embedded images, lists, YAML front matter, LaTeX math, Mermaid diagrams, and syntax-highlighted code blocks. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline access
- Yes · tangentnotes.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Open alpha
- Tangent is in open alpha and is being developed in the open. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows,macOS,Linux · tangentnotes.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Tangent is a notes app designed to help users link thoughts and create notes as they write. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Real-time collaboration
- No · tangentnotes.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Search and organization
- Tangent supports nested tags, to-do checkboxes, and a custom query language for finding notes by links, tags, todos, or text. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Sync compatibility
- The maker says users can sync and version notes with systems such as Git, iCloud, Drive, or Dropbox. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Thread view
- Thread View retains the path through linked notes in horizontally sliding panels. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Wiki links
- Tangent uses filename-based double-bracket links, supports autocomplete and backlinks, and says links from Obsidian already work. · tangentnotes.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Tangent stands on Freedom251
- Note-taking apps#104 of 216
- Notes apps#56 of 83