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FSNotes

Open-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone

Free plan · from $4.99 one-timeNote-TakingChecked Oct 6, 2026
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FSNotes, as pictured on fsnot.es
How FSNotes presents itself. Image from fsnot.es.

FSNotes report card

3.4GPA

Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Oct 9, 2026

Best for fast Markdown notes as plain files on a Mac

FSNotes is a quick, keyboard-first notes app for Mac and iPhone that works on plain Markdown files in folders you pick, not a database. It's open source, there's a free Mac build on GitHub, and the App Store versions are small one-time buys. It's Apple only, though, and the iPhone app syncs through iCloud Drive and nothing else.

Who FSNotes is for

  • Great if you want your notes as plain Markdown files you can open in anything
  • Handy when you live on the keyboard and miss Notational Velocity
  • Good for people who want an open-source notes app with no account and no subscription

Who FSNotes is not for

  • Skip it if you use Windows or Android, as it runs on Apple platforms only
  • Not for you if you sync with Dropbox or Google Drive, since the iOS app only does iCloud Drive
  • Too light for iPad-first people, because the iPad build has no multiple windows

Why FSNotes gets a 3.4

Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.

  • AValue for money$8.99 once for the Mac app and $4.99 once for iPhone and iPad, with no subscription. Both together cost about what a typical notes app here charges for a couple of months. They are separate purchases, mind.
  • AFree plan and trialThe code is free under the MIT licence, and every release on GitHub includes a free build of the full Mac app, which Homebrew can install too. You miss out on App Store automatic updates. The iPhone and iPad app is the one part with no free route.
  • AFeaturesMarkdown files any editor can read, instant search built for more than 10,000 files, links in double brackets, tags, AES-256 encryption for notes or whole folders, optional Git history and backups, plus Mermaid and MathJax. That's the whole job for personal notes.
  • BEase of useNo account to make: point it at a folder and type. It's built around keyboard shortcuts in the Notational Velocity style, which is quick once your fingers know them. No App Store rating is on record to go by, so a B is as high as we go.
  • CPlatforms and integrationsMac and iPhone, synced through iCloud Drive, with Git if you want it. All Apple, though. There's no Windows, Android or web version, Dropbox and Google Drive sync aren't available on iOS, and the iPad build lacks full keyboard shortcuts and multiple windows.

What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from FSNotes' own pages on 6 October 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.

Make FSNotes? Put this grade on your site
FSNotes: 3.4 GPA on ToolGPA

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What is FSNotes?

FSNotes is a native notes app for Mac and iPhone that works directly on folders of plain Markdown and text files rather than a database. It is keyboard-driven in the style of Notational Velocity, syncs through iCloud Drive, can lock notes or folders with AES-256 encryption, and offers optional Git versioning and backups. The app is open source: a free Mac build is posted on GitHub, and the App Store versions for Mac and iPhone are one-time purchases with no subscription.

FSNotes has a free plan. Paid plans start at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac. See every plan

Good for

  • Mac and iPhone users who want notes kept as plain Markdown files
  • Keyboard-driven note-takers used to Notational Velocity-style apps
  • People who want an open-source app with no account or subscription

Worth knowing

  • It runs on Apple platforms only, and the Mac and iPhone apps are separate purchases on the App Store.
  • The iOS app syncs through iCloud Drive only; Dropbox, WebDAV and Google Drive sync are not available.
  • The iPad build lacks dedicated iPad features such as full keyboard shortcuts and multiple windows; development focuses on macOS and iPhone.
  • The free Mac build comes from GitHub releases or Homebrew; the site names the App Store apps as the official stable releases with automatic updates.

Key features

Plain Markdown files
Notes are GitHub Flavored Markdown or plain text files in folders you choose, readable in any other editor. Images and attachments can sit in TextBundle containers.
Keyboard-centric and fast
Notational Velocity-inspired controls and shortcuts, instant search and a two-pane view, built to stay smooth with more than 10,000 files.
iCloud Drive sync
The same folders and notes, including pinned notes, stay available on a Mac and an iPhone through iCloud Drive.
Git versioning and backups
Optional Git integration makes scheduled commits, shows note history and can push to or pull from a remote repository.
Encrypted notes and folders
Individual notes or whole folders can be protected with AES-256 encryption and unlocked with Touch ID.
Links, tags and rich Markdown
Cross-note links in double brackets, tags, syntax highlighting for more than 30 programming languages, and Mermaid and MathJax rendering.

FSNotes pricing

Starts at
$4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac
Free plan
The source code is free under the MIT license, and each release on GitHub includes a free build of the Mac app. The iPhone and iPad app is sold only through the App Store.
Free trial
None listed
GitHub release$0A zip of the Mac app posted with each release on GitHub, also installable through Homebrew. The site points to the App Store for automatic updates.
FSNotes for iOS$4.99one-time purchase (US App Store)The iPhone and iPad app, with iCloud Drive sync, encrypted notes and folders, tags and Git integration. Requires iOS 18.0 or later.
FSNotes for Mac$8.99one-time purchase (US Mac App Store)The Mac app, updated automatically through the Mac App Store. Requires macOS 12.4 or later.

Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with FSNotes before you buy.

Pricing in detail

What the app costs in other countries

Works with

FSNotes alternatives

All FSNotes alternatives comparedAll note-taking apps

Common questions

Is FSNotes free?

FSNotes has a free plan. The source code is free under the MIT license, and each release on GitHub includes a free build of the Mac app. The iPhone and iPad app is sold only through the App Store. Paid plans start at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac.

How much does FSNotes cost?

FSNotes lists 3 plans. GitHub release: $0. FSNotes for iOS: $4.99 one-time purchase (US App Store). FSNotes for Mac: $8.99 one-time purchase (US Mac App Store). Prices were read from apps.apple.com on Oct 6, 2026.

What platforms does FSNotes work on?

FSNotes is available on macOS and iOS.

Does FSNotes have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. FSNotes is listed for macOS and iOS.

Does FSNotes have a Windows app?

No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. FSNotes is listed for macOS and iOS.

Is FSNotes open source?

Yes. FSNotes is open source, according to its own site.

Does FSNotes work offline?

Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.

What does FSNotes integrate with?

FSNotes's listing names iCloud Drive and Git. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.

Who makes FSNotes?

FSNotes is made by Oleksandr Hlushchenko. It dates from 2017.

What are the alternatives to FSNotes?

The closest alternatives to FSNotes in our directory are The Archive, MiaoYan, Obsidian, Bear and Simplenote. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with FSNotes.

Sources for this page

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026.