Apple Notes alternatives · Note-Taking
End-to-end encrypted alternatives to Apple Notes
The Apple Notes listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. 12 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.
Apple Notes is free to use. 11 of them are free or have a free plan.
12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
How each one differs from Apple Notes
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Obsidian
Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device
- Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on). Apple Notes is free.
- Only Obsidian lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Anytype
Local-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes and data
- Anytype starts at $4 per month, billed yearly ($5 billed monthly). Apple Notes is free.
- Only Anytype lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
- Anytype is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Notesnook
Open source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform
- Notesnook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Essential). Apple Notes is free.
- Only Notesnook lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Notesnook lists a browser extension.
- Notesnook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $64 one-time
SiYuan
Open-source, local-first notes built on linked content blocks
- SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). Apple Notes is free.
- Only SiYuan lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only SiYuan lists a browser extension.
- SiYuan is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from €3/mo
Cryptee
Encrypted documents, notes and photo storage from Estonia
- Cryptee starts at €3 per month (10 GB). Apple Notes is free.
- Only Apple Notes lists iOS and macOS apps.
- Cryptee is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Cryptee also covers Markdown and documents.
- Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Lockbook
Open-source encrypted notes app with Markdown and drawing
- Lockbook starts at $2.99 per month. Apple Notes is free.
- Only Lockbook lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
- Lockbook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $3.99/mo
DeepNotes
End-to-end encrypted infinite canvas for nested notes
- DeepNotes starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly ($47.88). Apple Notes is free.
- Only DeepNotes lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Apple Notes lists an iOS app.
- DeepNotes is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from €2.40/mo
Joplin
Open source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose
- Joplin starts at 2.40€ per month, billed yearly at 28.69€ (Joplin Cloud Basic). Apple Notes is free.
- Only Joplin lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Joplin lists a browser extension.
- Joplin is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $90/yr
Standard Notes
End-to-end encrypted notes app with open source clients
- Standard Notes starts at $90 per year (Productivity). Apple Notes is free.
- Only Standard Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Standard Notes lists a browser extension.
- Standard Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Free trial · from $8.31/mo
Inkdrop
Markdown note app for developers with encrypted sync
- Inkdrop starts at $8.31 per month, billed annually ($99.80 per year). Apple Notes is free.
- Apple Notes has a free plan. Inkdrop does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Inkdrop lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Inkdrop lists a browser extension.
- Free plan · from $1.20/mo
Mimiri Notes
End-to-end encrypted notes in a tree, with encrypted sharing
- Mimiri Notes starts at $1.20 per month, or $12 per year (Tier 1). Apple Notes is free.
- Only Mimiri Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Mimiri Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Apple Notes also covers transcription and linked notes.
- Free
FUTO Notes
Local-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync
- FUTO Notes is free. Apple Notes is free.
- Only FUTO Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
- FUTO Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Common questions
Is there an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Apple Notes?
Yes. Obsidian, Anytype, Notesnook, SiYuan, Cryptee, Lockbook, DeepNotes, Joplin and 4 more are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.
Is Apple Notes end-to-end encrypted?
The Apple Notes listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.
Which of these note-taking apps are free?
Obsidian, Anytype, Notesnook, SiYuan, Cryptee, Lockbook, DeepNotes, Joplin and 3 more are free or have a free plan.
When was this checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Apple Notes: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.