---
title: "Notebooks"
icon: material/notebook-edit-outline
description: These encrypted note-taking apps let you keep track of your notes without giving them to a third-party.
---

Keep track of your notes and journalings without giving them to a third-party.

If you are currently using an application like Evernote, Google Keep, or Microsoft OneNote, we suggest you pick an alternative here that supports E2EE.

## Cloud-based

### Joplin

!!! recommendation

    ![Joplin logo](assets/img/notebooks/joplin.svg){ align=right }
    
    **Joplin** is a free, open-source, and fully-featured note-taking and to-do application which can handle a large number of markdown notes organized into notebooks and tags. It offers E2EE and can sync through Nextcloud, Dropbox, and more. It also offers easy import from Evernote and plain-text notes.
    
    [:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://joplinapp.org/){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
    [:octicons-eye-16:](https://joplinapp.org/privacy/){ .card-link title="Privacy Policy" }
    [:octicons-info-16:](https://joplinapp.org/help/){ .card-link title=Documentation}
    [:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/laurent22/joplin){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
    [:octicons-heart-16:](https://joplinapp.org/donate/){ .card-link title=Contribute }
    
    ??? downloads
    
        - [:simple-googleplay: Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.cozic.joplin)
        - [:simple-appstore: App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/joplin/id1315599797)
        - [:simple-github: GitHub](https://github.com/laurent22/joplin-android/releases)
        - [:simple-windows11: Windows](https://joplinapp.org/#desktop-applications)
        - [:simple-apple: macOS](https://joplinapp.org/#desktop-applications)
        - [:simple-linux: Linux](https://joplinapp.org/#desktop-applications)
        - [:simple-firefoxbrowser: Firefox](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/joplin-web-clipper/)
        - [:simple-googlechrome: Chrome](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/joplin-web-clipper/alofnhikmmkdbbbgpnglcpdollgjjfek)

Joplin does not support password/PIN protection for the [application itself or individual notes and notebooks](https://github.com/laurent22/joplin/issues/289). However, your data is still encrypted in transit and at the sync location using your master key. Since January 2023, Joplin supports biometrics app lock for [Android](https://joplinapp.org/changelog_android/#android-v2-10-3-https-github-com-laurent22-joplin-releases-tag-android-v2-10-3-pre-release-2023-01-05t11-29-06z) and [iOS](https://joplinapp.org/changelog_ios/#ios-v12-10-2-https-github-com-laurent22-joplin-releases-tag-ios-v12-10-2-2023-01-20t17-41-13z).

### Standard Notes

!!! recommendation

    ![Standard Notes logo](assets/img/notebooks/standard-notes.svg){ align=right }
    
    **Standard Notes** is a simple and private notes app that makes your notes easy and available everywhere you are. It features E2EE on every platform, and a powerful desktop experience with themes and custom editors. It has also been [independently audited (PDF)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/standard-notes/security/Report-SN-Audit.pdf).
    
    [:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://standardnotes.com){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
    [:octicons-eye-16:](https://standardnotes.com/privacy){ .card-link title="Privacy Policy" }
    [:octicons-info-16:](https://standardnotes.com/help){ .card-link title=Documentation}
    [:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/standardnotes){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
    [:octicons-heart-16:](https://standardnotes.com/donate){ .card-link title=Contribute }
    
    ??? downloads
    
        - [:simple-googleplay: Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.standardnotes)
        - [:simple-appstore: App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1285392450)
        - [:simple-github: GitHub](https://github.com/standardnotes/app/releases)
        - [:simple-windows11: Windows](https://standardnotes.com)
        - [:simple-apple: macOS](https://standardnotes.com)
        - [:simple-linux: Linux](https://standardnotes.com)
        - [:octicons-globe-16: Web](https://app.standardnotes.com/)

### Cryptee

!!! recommendation

    ![Cryptee logo](./assets/img/notebooks/cryptee.svg#only-light){ align=right }
    ![Cryptee logo](./assets/img/notebooks/cryptee-dark.svg#only-dark){ align=right }
    
    **Cryptee** is an open-source, web-based E2EE document editor and photo storage application. Cryptee is a PWA, which means that it works seamlessly across all modern devices without requiring native apps for each respective platform.
    
    [:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://crypt.ee){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
    [:octicons-eye-16:](https://crypt.ee/privacy){ .card-link title="Privacy Policy" }
    [:octicons-info-16:](https://crypt.ee/help){ .card-link title=Documentation}
    [:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/cryptee){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
    
    ??? downloads
    
        - [:octicons-globe-16: PWA](https://crypt.ee/download)

Cryptee offers 100MB of storage for free, with paid options if you need more. Sign-up doesn't require an e-mail or other personally identifiable information.

## Local notebooks

### Org-mode

!!! recommendation

    ![Org-mode logo](assets/img/notebooks/org-mode.svg){ align=right }
    
    **Org-mode** is a [major mode](https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/elisp/Major-Modes.html) for GNU Emacs. Org-mode is for keeping notes, maintaining TODO lists, planning projects, and authoring documents with a fast and effective plain-text system. Synchronization is possible with [file synchronization](file-sharing.md#file-sync) tools.
    
    [:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://orgmode.org){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
    [:octicons-info-16:](https://orgmode.org/manuals.html){ .card-link title=Documentation}
    [:octicons-code-16:](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/org-mode.git){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
    [:octicons-heart-16:](https://liberapay.com/bzg){ .card-link title=Contribute }

## Criteria

**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.

!!! example "This section is new"

    We are working on establishing defined criteria for every section of our site, and this may be subject to change. If you have any questions about our criteria, please [ask on our forum](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/latest) and don't assume we didn't consider something when making our recommendations if it is not listed here. There are many factors considered and discussed when we recommend a project, and documenting every single one is a work-in-progress.

- Clients must be open-source.
- Any cloud sync functionality must be E2EE.
- Must support exporting documents into a standard format.

### Best Case

- Local backup/sync functionality should support encryption.
- Cloud-based platforms should support document sharing.
