The FUTO Notes Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about FUTO Notes 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.
FUTO Notes
The Insider’s Guide
Local-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from FUTO Notes’s own pages.
Made by FUTO · checked Oct 9, 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 FUTO Notes’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on FUTO Notes’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 107 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about FUTO Notes, taken from its own pages and our grades.
- 1
Best for free Markdown notes with sync you host yourself
FUTO Notes keeps every note as a plain Markdown file on your device, runs on phones and desktops, and charges nothing, with no account.
- 2
It is free
FUTO Notes has no paid plan at all. 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.
- 3
It runs on 5 platforms
macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 107 of 147
That is against the other note-taking apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
FUTO Notes is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
FUTO Notes at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
- Made by
- FUTO
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for free Markdown notes with sync you host yourself
FUTO Notes keeps every note as a plain Markdown file on your device, runs on phones and desktops, and charges nothing, with no account. Sync is end-to-end encrypted but only works through a server you run yourself, it carries notes and images only, the builds are labeled beta, it's in English and Simplified Chinese only, and the licenses limit code changes to non-commercial use.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free. The FAQ says version 1.8.0 has no paid tier, no licence key and no in-app purchase, in a category where the middle plan is $6 a month. The only cost that can turn up is whatever you run the sync server on. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright: every feature, on iOS, Android, Linux, macOS and Windows, with no account to make. The sync server is free to host yourself as well, and there's nothing above this to buy. |
| Features | C | Markdown styled as you type, wikilinks, tables, checklists, search on the device, sync encrypted with AES-256-GCM down to the file names, and it will open an Obsidian vault where it sits. But the listing's gaps bite: no hosted sync at all, sync carries only notes and images, and the builds are labelled beta. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. The app itself is install-and-type with no sign-up, but getting a note from one device to another is the hard part: you run the sync server yourself with Docker and look after its backups. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Native iPhone and Android apps plus a desktop app for Linux, macOS and Windows, so every device you own is covered. No web version, though, no integrations on the listing, and English and Simplified Chinese are the only languages. |
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 FUTO Notes is for
- Fits if you want Markdown notes as plain files on every device you own
- Works for people who already run a home server and can add a small sync service
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want sync to just work, as it needs a server you run yourself with Docker
- Not for you if your notes are full of PDFs, because sync only carries Markdown notes and images
- Too light for anyone who relies on Obsidian embeds, aliases or plugins, which don't carry over
- Watch out: the builds are labeled beta, and the app is in English and Simplified Chinese only
- Watch out: the source is public but not OSI-approved, so changing and sharing the code is limited to non-commercial use
Good to know
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.
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
FUTO Notes is free to use.
The only cost that can turn up is whatever you run the sync server on.
FUTO Notes
$0
The full app on iOS, Android, Linux, macOS and Windows, plus the sync server to host yourself.
The 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.
Read from notes.futo.tech on Oct 9, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
5
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android
Local-first Markdown notes with self-hosted encrypted sync. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, self-hostable, works offline, local-first, end-to-end encrypted, notes, Markdown.
But the listing's gaps bite: no hosted sync at all, sync carries only notes and images, and the builds are labelled beta.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
FUTO Notes is made by FUTO.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
107/147
Other note-taking apps it is graded above
FUTO Notes's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 107 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 21.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 100 of 147) and worst on features (C, above 2).
FUTO Notes has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 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 148 note-taking apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. FUTO Notes’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 62 of 147
- AFree plan and trialAbove 100 of 147
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 147
- CEase of useAbove 5 of 147
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 86 of 147
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 note-taking apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. FUTO Notes 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
FUTO Notes is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 107 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade.
What you could make
- Notes and Markdown: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- End-to-end encryption done properly.
What this rests on. FUTO Notes’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, Joplin, Notesnook, Octarine and Logseq
The 5 tools FUTO Notes 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 a browser extension.
- FUTO Notes is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Obsidian also covers linked notes and whiteboard.
- 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 a browser extension.
- Joplin also covers web clipper.
- 3.2GPA
Notesnook
Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Open source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform.
- Only Notesnook lists a web app.
- Only Notesnook lists a browser extension.
- Notesnook also covers linked notes and web clipper.
- 2.8GPA
Octarine
Free plan · from $79 one-time
Local Markdown notes app with daily notes, views and optional AI.
- Only FUTO Notes lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Octarine lists a browser extension.
- FUTO Notes is open source, self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, 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.
- FUTO Notes is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Logseq also covers linked notes, whiteboard and daily notes.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
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 FUTO Notes free?
Yes. FUTO Notes is free to use.
How much does FUTO Notes cost?
FUTO Notes lists one plan. FUTO Notes: $0.
What platforms does FUTO Notes work on?
FUTO Notes is available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
Is FUTO Notes open source?
Yes. FUTO Notes is open source, according to its own site.
Is FUTO Notes end-to-end encrypted?
FUTO Notes describes itself as end-to-end encrypted on its own site. Nobody here has audited that.
Does FUTO Notes 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.
Who makes FUTO Notes?
FUTO Notes is made by FUTO.
What are the alternatives to FUTO Notes?
The closest alternatives to FUTO Notes in our directory are Obsidian, Joplin, Notesnook, Octarine and Logseq.
How does FUTO Notes compare with other note-taking apps?
FUTO Notes's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 107 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 21.
Is FUTO Notes good value for money?
ToolGPA grades FUTO Notes A for value for money. FUTO Notes has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of FUTO Notes?
FUTO Notes is free, so making your own would save you nothing. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 107 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from FUTO Notes’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from FUTO's own pages on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-04-18.
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 FUTO. Prices change, so check notes.futo.tech before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 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.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- FUTO Notes, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/futo-notes
- 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, "FUTO Notes: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/futo-notes
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/futo-notes/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after FUTO Notes, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Note-Taking Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 148 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 FUTO Notes’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. FUTO Notes is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by FUTO. Prices and plans change: check notes.futo.tech before you buy.