Freemium· Free basic, $90/year extended

Standard Notes

A private, encrypted notes app with a focus on simplicity and longevity.

WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidWeb
Independently verifiedLast checked: June 15, 2026

Standard Notes is available with a generous free tier productivity tool available on WINDOWS, MACOS, LINUX. It serves as an alternative to Evernote — subscription software that costs $21/month combined. It's best suited for privacy advocates, minimalists, long-term note keepers.

Why Choose Standard Notes?

  • +Open-source and community-driven — transparent code, no vendor lock-in
  • +Full ownership — your data stays on your device, no cloud dependency
  • +Works offline — no internet connection required for core functionality
  • +Save $250/year compared to subscription alternatives
  • +Cross-platform support — available on 6 platforms

Basic Info

PricingFree basic, $90/year extended
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web
CategoriesProductivity
Open SourceYes
Offline SupportYes
Account RequiredYes
Free TrialNo
Last CheckedJune 15, 2026

Ownership & Dependency

Ownership

HIGH

Cloud Dependency

LOW

Best For

Privacy advocatesMinimalistsLong-term note keepers

Pros

  • +End-to-end encrypted
  • +Open source
  • +Simple UI
  • +100-year durability goal

Cons

  • Limited free features
  • Basic formatting
  • Smaller ecosystem

How to Switch to Standard Notes

  1. 1

    Export your data

    Export your data from your current tool in CSV, PDF, or native format.

  2. 2

    Install Standard Notes

    Download Standard Notes from the official website. It costs Free basic, $90/year extended — a one-time purchase.

  3. 3

    Import and configure

    Import your data into Standard Notes and customize the settings to match your workflow.

  4. 4

    Cancel your subscription

    Once you're comfortable with Standard Notes, cancel your subscription and start saving.

Replacing: Evernote

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Standard Notes a good replacement for Evernote?

Yes. Standard Notes handles most of what Evernote does, for a one-time $0 payment. Evernote costs $20.83/month ($250/year). The main differences are in advanced features and ecosystem integrations.

Is Standard Notes really a one-time purchase?

Yes, Standard Notes costs $0 as a one-time purchase. You pay once and own it forever — no monthly or annual fees.

Can I self-host Standard Notes?

Yes. Being open-source, Standard Notes can be self-hosted on your own server or hardware. This gives you complete control over your data and eliminates any dependency on external services.

What platforms does Standard Notes support?

Standard Notes is available on WINDOWS, MACOS, LINUX, IOS, ANDROID, WEB. This cross-platform support means you can use it on all your devices.

How much money can I save with Standard Notes?

By replacing Evernote, you save approximately $250/year in subscription fees. The savings start immediately.

Does Standard Notes require an internet connection?

No. Standard Notes works fully offline — you only need internet for initial download and updates.

Compare Standard Notes with alternatives

Standard Notes replaces these subscriptions

Calculate Your Savings

See how much you could save by switching from subscriptions to Standard Notes and similar tools.

Open Calculator