Dnote review (2026): is it any good?
Free, open-source terminal notebook with optional self-hosted sync
Dnote report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for command-line notes with self-hosted sync
Dnote is a terminal notebook for commands and short notes, kept in one SQLite file, with an optional sync server you run yourself. It is free and open source, but it is a command-line tool with no phone or web app.
Who Dnote is for
- Fits if you spend your day in a terminal and want to save commands you'll need again
- Works for people who are happy to host their own sync server
Who Dnote is not for
- Not for you if you want a window to click in, as it is command line only
- Skip it if you need hosted sync: the vendor lists none
- Too light for long documents, links or images, as it is built for short notes
- Watch out: there is no mobile or web app on its site
Why Dnote gets a 2.6
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree and open source, with no paid plan; the program is a single binary.
- AFree plan and trialFree outright. Syncing across devices needs a server you run yourself.
- CFeaturesFull-text search, your own editor, one SQLite file, a REST API and self-hosted sync. The listing's gaps: no hosted sync, no phone or web app.
- DEase of useNo store rating on record. It runs in a terminal, and sync means running your own server.
- CPlatforms and integrationsmacOS, Linux and Windows programs only. The REST API needs your own server.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Dnote's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/dnote#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/dnote.svg" alt="Dnote: 2.6 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Dnote stands among note-taking apps
Dnote'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).
Dnote 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. Dnote’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 72 of 169, level with 97
- AFree plan and trialAbove 114 of 169, level with 55
- CFeaturesAbove 4 of 169, level with 116
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 169, level with 9
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 34 of 169, level with 64
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 118 note-taking apps. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep Dnote, or make your own?
Keep it
Dnote is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could make
- Notes: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
- It plugs into other products, Homebrew and Docker among them, and has an API.
What this rests on. Dnote’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.
What is Dnote?
Dnote is a command-line notebook for saving commands, snippets and short notes, then finding them again with full-text search. Everything lives in one SQLite file. An optional self-hosted server syncs notes across devices and exposes a REST API. It is a single binary with no dependencies.
Worth knowing
- Sync between devices requires running your own server; the vendor lists no hosted service.
- It is a command-line tool with no mobile or web app listed on its site.
- Binaries are listed for macOS, Linux, FreeBSD and Windows; FreeBSD is not a platform on this site.
Key features
- Full-text search
- Search every saved note from the terminal to find a command or snippet without scrolling shell history.
- Bring your own editor
- Notes can be written in any text editor, in a terminal or as a GUI.
- Single SQLite file
- All data is in one file that can be backed up to any storage, queried with standard tools or migrated.
- Self-hosted sync server
- An optional single-binary server with SQLite syncs data between devices and can be deployed with Docker or run directly.
- REST API
- The server exposes notes over a REST API for integrations or any HTTP client.
Dnote pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Dnote is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The vendor says Dnote is free and open source and will always be free.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Dnote | $0 | Free and open source (Apache-2.0 per its GitHub page). Sync needs a server you run yourself. |
Read from getdnote.com on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Dnote before you buy.
Works with
- Homebrew
- Docker
Dnote alternatives
- Dnote vs nb
Free
- Dnote vs Notenik
Free
- Dnote vs Joplin
Free plan · from €2.40/mo
- Dnote vs SilverBullet
Free plan · from $50/yr
- Dnote vs Memos
Free
Common questions
Does Dnote have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Dnote is listed for macOS, Linux and Windows.
Does Dnote have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Dnote is listed for macOS, Linux and Windows.
Is Dnote open source?
Yes. Dnote is open source, according to its own site. It can also be run on a server of your own.
Does Dnote have an API?
Yes. Dnote offers a public API, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.