Reviews for Standard Notes
Login to ReviewRiley Wright
Apr 15, 2026Finally, a notes app that respects my privacy
As someone who deals with sensitive client information, Standard Notes has been a game-changer. The end-to-end encryption gives me real peace of mind, and the syncing between my phone and laptop works seamlessly. I particularly appreciate the straightforward markdown support and tagging system—it keeps my notes organized without unnecessary complexity.
Reese Davis
Apr 14, 2026A great idea for privacy, but frustratingly limited
I really appreciate the open-source approach and strong encryption that Standard Notes offers. However, the core free version feels too basic compared to other note apps, with markdown support being clunky and the interface less intuitive than I'd like. For those who prioritize security above all else, it's a solid choice, but I found myself missing features I use daily in other apps.
Quinn Johnson
Apr 12, 2026Great for Privacy, Rough Around the Edges
As someone deeply concerned about data privacy, Standard Notes' strong encryption and open-source nature are exactly what I needed. However, I find the free version's features quite limited, and the overall interface feels a bit clunky compared to more polished mainstream apps. The sync works reliably, but the experience isn't as seamless as I'd hoped.
Lisa Miller
Apr 11, 2026Security-First, User Experience Last
I wanted to love Standard Notes for its strong privacy stance, but the core free version is so bare-bones it's practically unusable for daily note-taking. The constant push to upgrade to a paid plan for basic features like rich text or advanced organization feels manipulative, and even the syncing between my devices was slow and glitchy. For a note app, the fundamental writing experience shouldn't feel like a chore.
Anna King
Apr 02, 2026Finally, a secure and trustworthy note-taking app
I've been using Standard Notes for over a year now for journaling and storing sensitive information. The encryption and local-first approach give me real peace of mind, knowing my data is truly private. The interface is clean, sync works reliably across my devices, and the basic features are solid—though some of the extended features require a paid subscription.
Liam Lopez
Mar 31, 2026Good on paper, frustrating in practice
I appreciate the focus on privacy and open-source philosophy, but the app feels clunky and underdeveloped. The free tier is severely limited, and the subscription feels expensive for what you get—basic features like rich text editing require a paid plan. Syncing between my phone and desktop was unreliable, with notes sometimes taking hours to appear, which defeats the purpose of a notes app. For a tool that's supposed to simplify note-taking, it adds more friction than it removes.
Riley Moore
Mar 06, 2026A fortress for notes, but the key is a bit heavy
Standard Notes delivers on its promise of extreme privacy, and I appreciate the peace of mind that comes with end-to-end encryption and open-source code. However, its focus on security comes at a cost to user experience; the interface feels spartan and some basic formatting or organizational features I'm used to are locked behind paid extensions. For someone who needs a vault, it's excellent, but for daily note-taking, it can feel restrictive and requires more effort than mainstream apps.
Review Summary
Based on 37 reviews
Rating Distribution
Standard Notes
Standard Notes is an open-source, encrypted notes app that focuses on privacy and security. It stores all notes locally by …
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