Noted keeps notes as ordinary Markdown or HTML files on your computer, and its editing, search, links, export and Git features work offline. You can add AI through a local Ollama or LM Studio runtime without an API key, or choose a cloud provider. If you choose cloud AI, the configured request is sent to that provider after Noted’s default personal-data masking; masking is not a guarantee that sensitive information stays on your device.
What “local-first” means in Noted
Noted stores each note as a real .md or .html file in a folder you choose. You can read, edit and back up those files with ordinary tools rather than relying on a proprietary note database. Notes autosave as you type, and a title change renames the corresponding file.
The app says it has no account, sync service or telemetry. Core editing, search, links and export do not require a cloud connection. This is a local-file design, not end-to-end encrypted cloud storage: the files are on your device, so the security of that device and any folder or remote you configure still matters.
Does Noted upload notes or keep AI local?
Noted does not send note contents to an AI provider until you configure one and make an AI request. You can select a local provider—Ollama or LM Studio—so inference runs through the local runtime you configure. That option can keep note content on the device, but you must have the local runtime and model available; the app does not make a local model appear automatically.
#1 Best Overall
- 【PCM Recording and Automatic Noise Reduction】:This digital voice recorder is equipped with advanced dual noise reduction microphones and supports 1536 kbps PCM HD audio recording, ensuring crystal-clear sound capture in any environment. Recorder device with automatic noise reduction and voice-activated recording, the recorder only picks up the sound when there’s speech, reducing background noise,Excellent sound quality can meet the needs of students, journalists, music lovers and more people
- 【136GB Memory and Long Battery Life】Voice Recorder with Playback with 8GB built-in storage and includes a complimentary 128GB TF card, this digital voice recorder can hold up to 9775 hours of recordings in MP3 format or WAV format；Recorder for lectures with a built-in 1100mAh rechargeable lithium battery, this voice recorder can continuously record for up to 68 hours on a single charge, making it perfect for back-to-back meetings, interviews, or extended classroom sessions
- 【One Click Record and Save】: Our voice recorder supports one click recording and saving functions. Even when the product is in a powered-off state, simply push up the side recording button to immediately enter recording mode, and push down the recording button to save the recording. This allows for capturing as much information as possible.Easily transfer your recordings to your computer using the USB-C connection, allowing for fast and secure file management
- 【Easy-to-Use】This portable voice recorder is designed with a simple, user-friendly interface featuring a large, easy-to-read LCD screen. The voice-activated recording (VOR) feature makes hands-free operation a breeze. With one-touch recording, users can start or stop recording instantly, even during busy moments. A-B repeat function and password protection ensure that important segments are easily accessible and secure
- 【Portable and Durable Design】Designed with portability in mind, this lightweight screen recorder fits comfortably in your pocket or bag, weighing only 97 grams. Its sleek and durable metal casing ensures longevity and protection from everyday wear and tear. Whether you’re traveling, in the office, or attending a lecture, this compact recorder is always ready to capture clear, high-quality audio
Noted also supports cloud providers: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini and OpenRouter. For those, requests are masked for personal data by default before they are sent. Masking can reduce exposure, but it does not mean the provider receives nothing, nor does it guarantee that every sensitive detail is removed. Consider what information the selected notes and prompt contain before using a cloud provider.
The AI assistant can use selected notes as context. Its retrieval controls include a Top-K default of 3, consideration of up to 100 notes, and inclusion of up to 8,000 characters from the active note. These are configuration limits, not answer-quality or speed measurements. Responses are returned whole rather than streamed.
Rank #2
- 【Simple Operation】- switch on your voice recorder, one button for recording. press the "REC", start the recording, press "STOP", end the recording, press “PLAY”, listen what you just recorded, and then Press A-B, select your important section to repeat. Easy to playback with inner powerful speaker, support external sound speaker playback, let you enjoy superior recording quality.
- 【Clear Voice Record】- high quality recording with noise redution, you will get super clear recorded voice, the sensitive microphone help you to catch speaker's words in an interview, lectures, meetings.
- 【Voice Activated Recording】- automatic voice reduction function, it starts recording when sound is detected or turn to standby state, saving recording time and reduce power consumption.
- 【 Player Function】- this voice recorder can be used as an music player, you could enjoy the music after your tired study, meeting and so on. Also can function as a detachable data storage device.you can take along your favorite pictures and documents whenever you go.Simply cut-and-paste or drag-and -drop files to or from it via USB connection, the player will appear as a removeable drive in Windows.
- 【High quality and long time】 uses DSP noise reduction technology to filter out environmental noise, has high-quality recording, 【1536kbps】to restore the real scene. It can continuously record for more than 30 hours and play for 7 hours.
How to enable AI
- Open Settings → AI.
- Choose a provider. Select Ollama or LM Studio for a local runtime, or choose OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini or OpenRouter for cloud AI.
- Configure the selected provider. Local providers can be set up without an API key; cloud providers require an API key.
- Use the assistant with the notes you want as context, and review the retrieval settings if you want to change how many notes or how much of the active note can be included.
What Noted can do beyond AI chat
- Write and organize: Its TipTap-based rich editor supports headings, code blocks, tables, formulas and task-oriented writing. Notes are stored as Markdown or HTML files.
- Navigate connected notes: Wikilinks, backlinks and a per-note connections panel help you follow relationships between notes.
- Find information: Quick open and global full-text search cover note titles and bodies.
- Keep versions and collaborate through Git: Git integration can show repository status, commit and push changes, and open GitHub pull requests. A push sends changes to the remote you configured; Git is optional, not part of automatic cloud sync.
- Connect compatible AI tools: A local MCP server can let compatible clients read and write notes and support documented file-first agent workflows. Grant access deliberately, since a client allowed to write can change files.
Supported desktop platforms
| Platform | Available build | Signing and requirement notes |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | DMG for Apple Silicon and Intel | Builds are signed and notarized; macOS 11 Big Sur or later is required. |
| Windows | x64 installer | Installer is not code-signed and may trigger a first-run SmartScreen prompt. |
| Linux | AppImage or deb package | Installers are not code-signed and may trigger a first-run warning. |
These are desktop builds; the available platform list does not establish a mobile app or cloud sync service. The project describes Noted as local-first for macOS, while its README lists builds for Windows and Linux as well.
How Noted differs from a hosted note service
The meaningful distinction is where notes live and what you configure, not a blanket claim that one category is safer. With Noted, the working notes are files in a folder you control, and Git can provide an optional versioned remote workflow. A service built around a hosted workspace stores notes through that service’s infrastructure. A hosted service may provide its own sync experience; Noted does not include a sync service.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- Clear PCM Recording: Adopts upgraded noise cancelling microphone with professional recording chip. Capture 1536Kbps premium quality sound. Voice recorder with playback function, which is well designed for the users to easily access. Customer Service includes real life phone call from a specialist to give instructions on this high-quality recording device. We ensure your satisfaction on this product.
- 128GB Digital Recorder, Computers Compatible: stores 9296hours of recording, or 40,000songs, up to 54 hours of continuous recording with full battery. Recording can be pre-set into mp3 128kbps,192kbps, or wav 1536kbps format. A wonderful voice recording device for lectures, meetings, and conversations.
- Voice Activated Recorder: This recorder device can set voice decibels at 6 different levels. Regardless the level of the volume, with correct voice decibel level, this recorder will catch talking voice only, reduce blank and whispering snippet.
- Powerful Feature: Multi-usage as a voice recorder, an USB flash drive, and a Mp3 Player. Newly developed 4-folder storage(A/B/C/D) for file management make your recording and other files more organized. Many other helpful features like password protection, A-B repeat, auto record, bookmark, ideal recorder for lectures, meetings, speeches, and interviews.
- Fast File Download: V618 can easily transfer files onto computers. A rechargeable voice recorder that can be quickly recharged, suit for students, teachers, seniors, businesspeople, writers, and bloggers
| Consideration | Noted | Hosted-workspace approach |
|---|---|---|
| Primary storage | Markdown or HTML files in a chosen local folder | Notes are stored through the service’s hosted workspace; exact storage and export options depend on the product. |
| AI location | Local inference through configured Ollama or LM Studio, or cloud requests to a selected provider with default personal-data masking | Depends on the service and its AI configuration; check its data-handling terms. |
| Portability and versioning | Ordinary files can be handled with standard tools; optional Git integration supports status, commit and push. | Export formats, file access and version history vary by service. |
| Automation | Local MCP server supports compatible clients with note read/write access. | Depends on the service’s integrations and access controls. |
| Trade-off | You manage the local folder, backups, any Git remote and (for local AI) the runtime and model. | The service operates the hosted workspace; availability and portability depend on that provider. |
Security considerations and limitations
The project documents controls including file and folder validation across IPC, symlink-aware path-traversal defenses, HTML sanitization, Electron context isolation with Node integration disabled, navigation guards, SSRF filtering on the LLM proxy, restrictions on local-host and origin access for the MCP SSE server, and Electron safeStorage for API keys or tokens when available. These are documented implementation measures, not an independent security audit. They do not replace device security or careful handling of remote providers and MCP clients.
The available product information does not establish comparative answer quality, latency, model accuracy, battery use or storage overhead. Local inference is not automatically faster or more secure in every configuration; those outcomes depend on the model, device and setup. Pricing and a commercial support SLA are not established here.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【One Click Record and Save】This voice recorder features instant one-click recording and saving. Even when powered off, simply push up the side button to start recording and push down to save. Designed with ergonomic controls, this digital voice recorder ensures fast operation so you never miss important moments—perfect as a voice recorder with playback, mini recorder device, or portable recorder for interviews, lectures, and field work
- 【64GB Memory & High-Capacity Battery】Equipped with a built-in 64GB TF card, this recorder device stores up to 4,600 hours of recordings. Its 600mAh battery supports up to 48 hours of continuous use (MP3 at 32kbps). Ideal for students, journalists, and professionals, this tape recorder portable mini excels in lectures, meetings, interviews, and even for paranormal sound research
- 【PCM Recording & Automatic Noise Reduction】Capture audio in WAV format with up to 1536kbps PCM quality. Advanced noise reduction minimizes background sounds, delivering crystal-clear playback on headphones or professional gear. This makes it an excellent audio recorder, digital audio recorder, or sound recorder for music creation, interviews, and high-detail sound archiving
- 【Voice-Activated Recorder, Big Screen & Password Protection】The voice activated recorder automatically starts/stops when sound reaches your set level, helping save storage and battery. A large 1.44-inch screen offers easy navigation, while password protection safeguards your files—perfect for storing personal memos and important audio files when using it as a dictaphone voice recorder or recording device for professional use
- 【Multi-Function Recorder】This versatile digital recorder supports internal and external recording, file segmentation, scheduled recording, A-B loop playback, MP3 music, and bookmarking. Functions as a USB storage drive and MP3 player with quick transfer via USB cable. Great as a pocket recorder, lecture recorder, mini voice recorder, or recording devices for travel and daily use
Rank #4
- ENHANCED CONTEXT WITH MULTIMODAL INPUT: Capture audio, type notes, add images, and press to highlight key moments for richer context. During recording, instantly mark key moments with a single button press. Simultaneously enrich your audio by snapping photos of important documents or typing in ideas
- CHAT WITH YOUR RECORDINGS USING "ASK Plaud": Unlock deeper insights with this interactive AI. Ask questions, extract key points, draft emails, and get next-step suggestions—all grounded in your original audio for reliable, ready-to-use answers
- INTELLIGENT RECORDING WITH AI DIRECTIONAL AUDIO: Enjoy seamless, intelligent recording with Plaud Note Pro. Its AI automatically switches between call and meeting modes while recording, while directional audio and real-time spatial awareness minimize noise to capture voices with crystal clarity
- Everything Included: Includes Plaud Note Pro, magnetic case, magnetic ring, charging cable, and a free Starter Plan with 300 transcription minutes per month. Upgrade anytime in the Plaud app to Pro Plan (1,200 min/mo) or Unlimited Plan(Up to 24 hours of transcription per user per day)
- PREMIUM ULTRA-SLIM DESIGN WITH INSTANTVIEW DISPLAY: Meticulously designed, the AI Note Taker is just 0.12 inches thin and 1.06 oz —about the size of a credit card. Its sleek aluminum body with a textured wave finish features a vivid AMOLED display, letting you check battery and recording status at a glance, while it seamlessly works with Apple Find My to ensure you never misplace it
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
