Side by side

Beaver Notes vs Notes Writer

Both stand on note-taking apps. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Beaver Notes

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Beaver Notes combines offline, open-source note-taking with extensive Markdown features, sharing, encryption, and optional synchronization. Check the Linux sync limitation and plugin permissions before adding it to a sensitive workflow.

Visit Beaver Notes

Notes Writer

Free plan iPhoneMac

Notes Writer combines varied document, study, audio, and coding tools in one Apple-focused workspace. Its free tier is useful but limits new documents, while AI use and advanced unlocks depend on connectivity or payment.

Visit Notes Writer

The facts

	Beaver Notes	Notes Writer
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Linux, Mac, Windows	iPhone, Mac
Lowest paid plan	Starter: $4 a month	Full Version Unlock Pro: $6.99, paid once
Plans published	5	4
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	beavernotes.com	noteswriter.com
On note-taking apps	#86 of 216	#82 of 216

Beaver Notes: what it does well

Works offline on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Markdown, diagrams, checklists, and callouts
Searches content, titles, and labels
AES-256-GCM encryption at rest
Supports Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud, and Syncthing

What to know first

Autosync does not work with GVFS on Linux
Editor-plane plugins have broad JavaScript access
Paid hosted sync starts at $4 per month

Notes Writer: what it does well

Offline notebook with note sharing
Broad PDF editing and annotation tools
Voice recording, transcription, and search
Study Projects with Binder and Corkboard
iCloud, Dropbox, Box, WebDAV, and Google Drive

What to know first

Free version limits new documents
AI assistant requires an internet connection
Apple silicon Mac requires macOS 13.3 or later
Several Pro unlocks require one-time payments

Alternatives to Beaver Notes Alternatives to Notes Writer The whole list