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SideNotes alternatives · Note-Taking

End-to-end encrypted alternatives to SideNotes

The SideNotes 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.

SideNotes is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac. 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 SideNotes

  1. Inkdrop

    Markdown note app for developers with encrypted sync

    • Inkdrop starts at $8.31 per month, billed annually ($99.80 per year). SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • Only Inkdrop lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Inkdrop lists a browser extension.
    • Inkdrop is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Inkdrop pricing and details

  2. 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). SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • Obsidian has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Obsidian lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
    Obsidian pricing and details

  3. 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). SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • Joplin has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Joplin lists a web app.
    • Only Joplin lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    Joplin pricing and details

  4. Standard Notes

    End-to-end encrypted notes app with open source clients

    • Standard Notes starts at $90 per year (Productivity). SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • Standard Notes has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Standard Notes lists a web app.
    • Only Standard Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    Standard Notes pricing and details

  5. Notesnook

    Open source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform

    • Notesnook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Essential). SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • Notesnook has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Notesnook lists a web app.
    • Only Notesnook lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    Notesnook pricing and details

  6. Cryptee

    Encrypted documents, notes and photo storage from Estonia

    • Cryptee starts at €3 per month (10 GB). SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • Cryptee has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Cryptee lists a web app.
    • Only SideNotes lists macOS and iOS apps.
    Cryptee pricing and details

  7. Lockbook

    Open-source encrypted notes app with Markdown and drawing

    • Lockbook starts at $2.99 per month. SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • Lockbook has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Lockbook lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Lockbook is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Lockbook pricing and details

  8. FUTO Notes

    Local-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync

    • FUTO Notes is free. SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • FUTO Notes has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only FUTO Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • FUTO Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    FUTO Notes pricing and details

  9. Anytype

    Local-first, end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes and data

    • Anytype starts at $4 per month, billed yearly ($5 billed monthly). SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • Anytype has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Anytype lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    • Anytype is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    Anytype pricing and details

  10. SiYuan

    Open-source, local-first notes built on linked content blocks

    • SiYuan starts at $64 one-time payment (PRO Features). SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • SiYuan has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only SiYuan lists a web app.
    • Only SiYuan lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    SiYuan pricing and details

  11. 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). SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • Mimiri Notes has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Mimiri Notes lists a web app.
    • Only Mimiri Notes lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
    Mimiri Notes pricing and details

  12. DeepNotes

    End-to-end encrypted infinite canvas for nested notes

    • DeepNotes starts at $3.99 per month, billed yearly ($47.88). SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
    • DeepNotes has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only DeepNotes lists a web app.
    • Only DeepNotes lists Windows and Linux apps.
    DeepNotes pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an end-to-end encrypted alternative to SideNotes?

Yes. Inkdrop, Obsidian, Joplin, Standard Notes, Notesnook, Cryptee, Lockbook, FUTO Notes and 4 more are end-to-end encrypted, according to their own sites.

Is SideNotes end-to-end encrypted?

The SideNotes listing does not describe it as end-to-end encrypted. The listing was checked on Oct 9, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these note-taking apps are free?

Obsidian, Joplin, Standard Notes, Notesnook, Cryptee, Lockbook, FUTO Notes, Anytype 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 SideNotes: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.