Standard Notes

Standard Notes is an end-to-end encrypted note-taking app, positioned as an alternative to Evernote for users who want their notes readable only by them. Notes, files, and other content are encrypted before syncing, and the client's source code is public, with documented steps for running a self-hosted sync server instead of using the default hosted one. The project describes longevity and sustainability of the note format as a core design goal, separate from any single company staying in business.

Key features

• End-to-end encrypted sync: notes and files are encrypted client-side, so only the account holder can read them, even on the sync server.
• Cross-platform apps: native clients for Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, all syncing over an unlimited number of devices at no extra cost.
• Self-hostable sync server: point the app at a custom server by setting the DEFAULT_SYNC_SERVER environment variable, following the documented self-hosting getting-started guide.
• Public source code: the app's source is available on GitHub, including instructions for self-hosting both the client and server.
• Extension support: developers can build and publish their own extensions for the app, documented through a dedicated plugins hub.
• Listed publishing: an integration that turns Standard Notes into a publishing tool, letting users create an online publication with automatic email newsletters delivered to readers.
• Community channels: an active Discord server and forum for user support alongside the GitHub repository.

Getting started

New users register an account at app.standardnotes.com, then can install the desktop and mobile clients (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android), all of which sync automatically once signed in.

Self-hosting and deployment

The web app compiles into a static folder of HTML, JS, and CSS. Self-hosting it involves cloning the standardnotes/app repository, running yarn install and yarn build:web, then serving the resulting packages/web folder from any web server, for example with python -m http.server 8080. A development mode is available by running the same build step and then cd packages/web && yarn start, serving on localhost:3001. Once a custom sync server is running, every official client, desktop, mobile, and web, can be pointed at it through the same DEFAULT_SYNC_SERVER setting, so self-hosting isn't limited to the web client alone, and switching between a self-hosted server and the default hosted one only requires changing that one setting before registering or logging in.

Standard Notes treats longevity of its note format as a design goal, independent of any single vendor staying in business, and its documentation frames the encryption scheme and file format as things that should stay readable and usable regardless of whether the company behind the app continues to operate. Community support and product discussion happen on Discord, a dedicated forum, and X, and the project maintains a Help page documenting common setup and account questions.