The Dnote Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Dnote 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.
Dnote
The Insider’s Guide
Free, open-source terminal notebook with optional self-hosted sync
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from Dnote’s own pages.
Made by Dnote · 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 Dnote’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Dnote’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
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Dnote, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It is free and open source, but it is a command-line tool with no phone or web app.
- 1
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.
- 2
It is free
Dnote has no paid plan at all. The vendor says Dnote is free and open source and will always be free.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
macOS, Linux and Windows.
- 4
Full-text search
Search every saved note from the terminal to find a command or snippet without scrolling shell history.
- 5
Bring your own editor
Notes can be written in any text editor, in a terminal or as a GUI.
- 6
Single SQLite file
All data is in one file that can be backed up to any storage, queried with standard tools or migrated.
- 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
Dnote is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Dnote at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Dnote
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source, with no paid plan; the program is a single binary. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright. Syncing across devices needs a server you run yourself. |
| Features | C | Full-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. |
| Ease of use | D | No store rating on record. It runs in a terminal, and sync means running your own server. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | macOS, Linux and Windows programs only. The REST API needs your own server. |
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 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 it 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
Good to know
Good for
- Developers who want to log commands and snippets without leaving the terminal
- People who prefer to keep notes in a single portable file they control
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.
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
Dnote is free to use.
Free and open source, with no paid plan; the program is a single binary.
Dnote
$0
Free and open source (Apache-2.0 per its GitHub page). Sync needs a server you run yourself.
The free plan
The vendor says Dnote is free and open source and will always be free.
Read from getdnote.com 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
Free, open-source terminal notebook with optional self-hosted sync. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, self-hostable, local-first, public API, notes.
Full-text search, your own editor, one SQLite file, a REST API and self-hosted sync.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
- Homebrew
- Docker
Dnote is made by Dnote.
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
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
- 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. Dnote 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
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
nb, Notenik, Joplin, SilverBullet and Memos
The 5 tools Dnote is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
nb
Free
Command-line note, bookmark and knowledge base tool in one script.
- Dnote is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- nb also covers Markdown, linked notes, tasks and bookmarks.
- 2.6GPA
Notenik
Free
Free Mac notes app with Markdown, custom fields and outlining.
- Only Dnote lists Linux and Windows apps.
- Dnote is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Notenik also covers Markdown, linked notes and tasks.
- 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.
- 2.8GPA
SilverBullet
Free plan · from $50/yr
Scriptable Markdown knowledge base, self-hosted or on desktop.
- Only SilverBullet lists a web app.
- SilverBullet also covers Markdown, linked notes and wiki.
- 2.8GPA
Memos
Free
Open-source, self-hosted timeline of short Markdown notes.
- Only Dnote lists macOS, Linux and Windows apps.
- Only Memos lists a web app.
- Only Memos lists a browser extension.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
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 Dnote free?
Yes. Dnote is free to use.
How much does Dnote cost?
Dnote lists one plan. Dnote: $0.
What platforms does Dnote work on?
Dnote is available on macOS, Linux and Windows.
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.
Does Dnote have an API?
Yes. Dnote offers a public API, according to its own site.
What does Dnote integrate with?
Dnote's listing names Homebrew and Docker. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Dnote?
Dnote is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to Dnote?
The closest alternatives to Dnote in our directory are nb, Notenik, Joplin, SilverBullet and Memos.
How does Dnote compare with other 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.
Is Dnote good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Dnote A for value for money. Dnote has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Dnote?
Dnote 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 Dnote’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 Dnote'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 Dnote. Prices change, so check getdnote.com 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
- Dnote, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/dnote
- 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, "Dnote: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/dnote
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/dnote/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after Dnote, 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 Dnote’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. Dnote is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Dnote. Prices and plans change: check getdnote.com before you buy.