The Dendron Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Dendron in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Dendron
The Insider’s Guide
Open-source Markdown notes with hierarchies, built for VS Code
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from Dendron’s own pages.
Made by Dendron · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Dendron’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Dendron’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 61 of the 169 other note-taking apps we grade
Dendron is an open-source, local-first note-taking tool for developers that runs inside editors such as VS Code and VSCodium. Notes are plain Markdown files organized into dotted hierarchies, with schemas that suggest structure and templates. Collections of notes, called vaults, are folders backed by git.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Dendron, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It lives inside an editor, so there is no phone or web app, and getting going takes some setup.
- 1
Best for Markdown notes in VS Code for developers
Dendron keeps notes as Markdown files in dotted hierarchies inside VS Code, with schemas and backlinks, and it is open source.
- 2
It is free
Dendron has no paid plan at all. Open-source software under the Apache-2.0 license; the pages we read list no paid plans.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
macOS, Windows and Linux.
- 4
Plain-text notes
Notes are Markdown files that can be managed with git or edited in any text editor such as Vim.
- 5
Hierarchies and lookup
A single lookup command finds or creates notes and walks a dotted hierarchy, and refactors keep links intact when notes move.
- 6
Schemas and templates
Schemas describe the structure of a hierarchy, give autocomplete hints and apply templates to new notes.
- 7
A 2.6 GPA, above 61 of 169
That is against the other note-taking apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Dendron is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Dendron at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Dendron
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for Markdown notes in VS Code for developers
Dendron keeps notes as Markdown files in dotted hierarchies inside VS Code, with schemas and backlinks, and it is open source. It lives inside an editor, so there is no phone or web app, and getting going takes some setup.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Open source under Apache-2.0, and the pages we read list no paid plan. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright, with notes in files you keep yourself. |
| Features | C | Hierarchies, schemas, templates, backlinks, graph view and vaults. The listing's gaps: it works inside an editor only and Dendron Publishing is a waitlist, not a product. |
| Ease of use | D | No store rating on record. It needs VS Code or VSCodium, plus schemas and git-backed vaults you set up yourself. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Runs wherever VS Code does on Mac, Windows and Linux. No phone or web app, and the pages give no operating system list. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Dendron is for
- Fits if you already live in VS Code and want your notes there
- Works for people who like notes as plain files in git
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you don't use an editor like VS Code, as there is no standalone app
- Not for you if you want notes on your phone or in a browser
- Too light for publishing: the homepage lists Dendron Publishing as a waitlist
- Tight if you dislike setup, because the dotted names and schemas take learning
Good to know
Good for
- Developers who already work in VS Code and want notes next to their code
- Large technical knowledge bases that need consistent structure
Worth knowing
- It works inside editors such as VS Code or VSCodium, so there is no standalone mobile or web app.
- The pages we read give no operating-system list; the platforms shown follow from VS Code support.
- Its homepage lists Dendron Publishing as a waitlist sign-up, not a product you can buy.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Dendron is free to use.
Free outright, with notes in files you keep yourself.
Open source
$0
Free to use, with the source on GitHub under Apache-2.0; notes stay as files you host yourself.
The free plan
Open-source software under the Apache-2.0 license; the pages we read list no paid plans.
Read from wiki.dendron.so on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, Windows and Linux
Open-source Markdown notes with hierarchies, built for VS Code. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, local-first, keyboard-first, notes, Markdown, linked notes, templates.
Hierarchies, schemas, templates, backlinks, graph view and vaults.
- Plain-text notes
- Notes are Markdown files that can be managed with git or edited in any text editor such as Vim.
- Hierarchies and lookup
- A single lookup command finds or creates notes and walks a dotted hierarchy, and refactors keep links intact when notes move.
- Schemas and templates
- Schemas describe the structure of a hierarchy, give autocomplete hints and apply templates to new notes.
- Backlinks and graph view
- Navigate through backlinks, headers and blocks, and view the knowledge base as a graph.
- Vaults and publishing
- Vaults are git-backed folders that can be shared, and a knowledge base can be exported as a static Next.js site.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
- VS Code
- VSCodium
- Git
- Mermaid
- KaTeX
Dendron is made by Dendron.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
61/169
Other note-taking apps it is graded above
Dendron's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 61 of the 169 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 26.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 114 of 169) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
Dendron has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 170 note-taking apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Dendron’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 72 of 169
- AFree plan and trialAbove 114 of 169
- CFeaturesAbove 4 of 169
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 169
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 34 of 169
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 118 note-taking apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Dendron is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Dendron is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could make
- Notes, Markdown, linked notes and templates: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
- It plugs into other products, VS Code, VSCodium and Git among them.
What this rests on. Dendron’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Obsidian, Logseq, Joplin and Trilium Notes
The 4 tools Dendron is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.6GPA
Obsidian
Free plan · from $4/mo
Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device.
- Only Obsidian lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Dendron is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.0GPA
Logseq
Free plan · from $5/mo
Open-source outliner for linked notes stored as local files.
- Only Logseq lists a web app.
- Only Logseq lists iOS and Android apps.
- Dendron also covers templates.
- 3.6GPA
Joplin
Free plan · from €2.40/mo
Open source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose.
- Only Joplin lists a web app.
- Only Joplin lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Joplin lists a browser extension.
- 3.0GPA
Trilium Notes
Free
Free, open-source hierarchical notes for a personal knowledge base.
- Only Trilium Notes lists a web app.
- Only Trilium Notes lists a browser extension.
- Trilium Notes is self-hostable, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Dendron free?
Yes. Dendron is free to use.
How much does Dendron cost?
Dendron lists one plan. Open source: $0.
What platforms does Dendron work on?
Dendron is available on macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Dendron have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Dendron is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Dendron have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Dendron is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Is Dendron open source?
Yes. Dendron is open source, according to its own site.
What does Dendron integrate with?
Dendron's listing names VS Code, VSCodium, Git, Mermaid and KaTeX. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Dendron?
Dendron is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to Dendron?
The closest alternatives to Dendron in our directory are Obsidian, Logseq, Joplin and Trilium Notes.
How does Dendron compare with other note-taking apps?
Dendron's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 61 of the 169 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 26.
Is Dendron good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Dendron A for value for money. Dendron has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Dendron?
Dendron is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Dendron’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Dendron's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Dendron. Prices change, so check dendron.so before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Dendron, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/dendron
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Dendron: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/dendron
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/dendron/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after Dendron, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Note-Taking Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 170 note-taking apps we grade, compared
- Microsoft OneNote Insider's GuideMicrosoft's free digital notebook for typed, inked and audio notes3.8 GPA
- Goodnotes Insider's GuideHandwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant3.6 GPA
- Joplin Insider's GuideOpen source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose3.6 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Dendron’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Dendron is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Dendron. Prices and plans change: check dendron.so before you buy.