Notesnook is an end-to-end encrypted note-taking application that provides an open-source alternative to Evernote.
The tool addresses the tension between privacy and usability by encrypting all notes on the user's device before they leave it, employing XChaCha20-Poly1305 for encryption and Argon2 for key derivation. This zero-knowledge architecture means the service operator cannot access user data. The codebase is organized as a monorepo containing web, desktop, and mobile clients built with React and React Native respectively, alongside shared cryptography and core packages that handle encryption and synchronization across platforms.
Notesnook suits users who prioritize privacy and want a self-contained, auditable note-taking system. It works well for individuals migrating from commercial services who value the ability to inspect the source code and verify security claims. The project explicitly positions itself as an alternative to Evernote, emphasizing that privacy need not sacrifice the convenience and feature completeness users expect from modern note-taking applications.
The project maintains active development across multiple platforms with coordinated updates to the shared core and platform-specific clients. Work spans both new feature development in TypeScript and ongoing migration of legacy JavaScript code. The monorepo structure with separate architecture documentation for each application indicates sustained investment in code organization and developer onboarding. Community engagement channels including Discord and public roadmap visibility suggest ongoing dialogue with users about feature priorities.
