ZenNotes

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinuxMacSelf-hostedWeb+1

What ZenNotes is

ZenNotes is a keyboard-first notes app that stores notes as plain Markdown files in a vault and works offline. It supports macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and self-hosted browser use. The free app supports local and iCloud vaults without an account, while the open-source web app can be self-hosted with the published Docker image. Its editor includes Vim motions, operators, registers, marks, macros, folds, and an ex prompt. Markdown code blocks can render KaTeX math and diagrams made with Mermaid, TikZ, JSXGraph, and function-plot. Organization features include vault-wide search, tasks, tags, backlinks, daily notes, and Obsidian-friendly vault support. Notes can be shared, and vault folders can be synced through Git, iCloud, or Dropbox. ZenNotes Cloud adds cross-device sync, backups, restores, ZIP downloads, and web publishing. Cloud connections use encrypted HTTPS, but synced notes and attachments are readable by the service because end-to-end encryption is not offered. The app is free; Cloud is $5 a month, billed $48 a year.

Who it suits

ZenNotes suits people who want Markdown notes, offline access, and keyboard-oriented editing across desktop, mobile, or self-hosted web. Its task, diagram, and assistant integrations may also suit users who organize technical notes in vaults.

What it does well

Free app works without an account
Offline access across desktop and mobile platforms
Vim editing features and Markdown diagrams
Vaults can sync through Git, iCloud, or Dropbox
CLI can manage notes, tags, and tasks

What to know first

Cloud-synced notes and attachments are readable by the service
End-to-end encryption is not offered
Cloud access ends with a 30-day download-only window

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
ZenNotes app	Free forever · Local and iCloud vaults · No account needed · Self-host the web app	Free
10 vaults add-on	or $10 a year · 10 vaults instead of 5	$1 a month
25 vaults add-on	or $20 a year · 25 vaults instead of 5	$2 a month
Publish to the web add-on	or $30 a year · Up to 100 public notes · Theme and logo	$3 a month
10 GB storage add-on	or $32 a year · 10 GB storage	$3 a month
ZenNotes Cloud	or $48 a year, 20% less · 2 GB storage · 5 vaults · 50,000 files · 10 MB per file · Backups kept 30 days	$5 a month

As zennotes.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

ZenNotes offers a free, offline-capable Markdown workflow with broad platform support and several sync choices. Consider the Cloud privacy terms if using its hosted sync rather than local or self-hosted storage.

Facts from ZenNotes's own pages

Assistant integrations: Its MCP server has one-click setup for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and Codex. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
CLI: The bundled zn CLI can read, write, search, tag, and manage tasks in notes, as well as run the MCP server. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Cloud features: ZenNotes Cloud offers cross-device sync, daily and manual backups, restores, ZIP downloads, and web publishing. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Cloud retention: After Cloud access ends, existing Cloud data has a 30-day download-only window before it becomes eligible for permanent removal. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Cloud security: Cloud connections use encrypted HTTPS, but synced notes and attachments are stored in a form the service can read because end-to-end encryption is not currently offered. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
File sync options: Vaults are ordinary folders that users can sync with Git, iCloud, or Dropbox; Cloud adds cross-device sync. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · zennotes.org, 20 Sept 2026
Integrations: Git,iCloud,Dropbox,Claude Code,Claude Desktop,Codex · zennotes.org, 20 Sept 2026
Math and diagrams: It renders KaTeX math and Mermaid, TikZ, JSXGraph, and function-plot diagrams from Markdown code blocks. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Mobile privacy: The mobile app policy says ZenNotes does not collect notes or personal information, and notes stay on-device or in the user's iCloud when enabled. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Note sharing: Yes · zennotes.org, 20 Sept 2026
Offline access: Yes · zennotes.org, 20 Sept 2026
Organization: ZenNotes includes vault-wide search, tasks, tags, backlinks, daily notes, and Obsidian-friendly vault support. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: macOS,Windows,Linux,iOS,Android,self-hosted browser · zennotes.org, 20 Sept 2026
Self-hosting: The free open-source web app can be self-hosted using the published Docker image and opened in a browser on the user's network. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The maker directs privacy questions to the project's GitHub issues and Discord community. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
Vim editing: The editor supports Vim motions, operators, registers, marks, macros, folds, and the ex prompt. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026
What it does: ZenNotes is a keyboard-first notes app that stores notes as plain Markdown files in a vault. · zennotes.org, 11 Oct 2026

Where ZenNotes stands on Freedom251

Note-taking apps#37 of 216