# FUTO Notes

> Local-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync

FUTO Notes is a free notes app that keeps each note as a plain Markdown file on your device, with native apps for iOS and Android and a desktop app for Linux, macOS and Windows. It needs no account and works offline. Syncing is optional and end-to-end encrypted, and it runs through a server you host yourself. The source for the app and server is public under FUTO's own source-first licenses.

- **Category:** Note-Taking Apps
- **Made by:** FUTO
- **Website:** https://notes.futo.tech
- **Runs on:** macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 9, 2026

## Pricing

FUTO Notes is free to use.

- **Pricing model:** Free
- **Free plan:** Every feature is free. The FAQ says version 1.8.0 has no paid tier, no license key and no in-app purchase, and no account is needed.
- **Free trial:** None listed.

| Plan | Price | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FUTO Notes | $0 | The full app on iOS, Android, Linux, macOS and Windows, plus the sync server to host yourself. |

Read from https://notes.futo.tech/docs/faq/ on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with FUTO Notes before buying.

## Key features

- **Plain Markdown files:** Each note is one .md file named after its title, and each folder in the app is a real folder on disk. There is no database, so any text editor can open the notes.
- **Markdown styled as you type:** Headings, bold text, checklists, tables, wikilinks and fenced code are formatted while you write, with the syntax fading out of view.
- **Apps for five platforms:** Native iOS and Android apps use the same editor as the desktop app, which is built on Tauri for Linux, macOS and Windows. Search runs on the device.
- **End-to-end encrypted sync:** Notes and images are encrypted on the device with AES-256-GCM before upload, along with file names and folder paths. The server stores only ciphertext.
- **Self-hosted sync server:** Sync goes through a server you run yourself, installed with one command using Docker. The docs cover reverse proxies, backups and storage growth.
- **Works with an Obsidian vault:** On desktop the app opens an Obsidian vault folder where it is. Notes, folders, wikilinks, tags, checklists and tables carry over; embeds, aliases and plugins do not.

## Good for

- People who want Markdown notes as plain files on every device
- Self-hosters comfortable running a small sync server
- Obsidian users who want another app for an existing vault

## Worth knowing

- Syncing between devices needs a server you run yourself; FUTO does not offer a hosted sync service today.
- Sync carries Markdown notes and images only. PDFs and other files stay on the device they are on.
- The source is public, but the licenses are not OSI-approved: modifying and redistributing the code is limited to non-commercial use.
- The download page labels the builds a beta release, and the app is available in English and Simplified Chinese only.

**Tags:** Notes, Markdown, Local-first, Works offline, End-to-end encrypted, Self-hostable, Open source

## Alternatives

- [Obsidian](https://toolgpa.com/tools/obsidian): Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/futo-notes-vs-obsidian)
- [Joplin](https://toolgpa.com/tools/joplin): Open source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/futo-notes-vs-joplin)
- [Notesnook](https://toolgpa.com/tools/notesnook): Open source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/futo-notes-vs-notesnook)
- [Octarine](https://toolgpa.com/tools/octarine): Local Markdown notes app with daily notes, views and optional AI. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/futo-notes-vs-octarine)
- [Logseq](https://toolgpa.com/tools/logseq): Open-source outliner for linked notes stored as local files. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/futo-notes-vs-logseq)

## Sources

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026:

- https://notes.futo.tech/docs/faq/
- https://notes.futo.tech/
- https://notes.futo.tech/docs/
- https://notes.futo.tech/docs/license/
- https://notes.futo.tech/docs/what-syncs/
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/futo-notes/id6758355468

Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/futo-notes
Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).