What is KeyNote NF?
KeyNote NF is a free, open-source tabbed notebook for Windows with a rich text editor, multi-level notes and encryption. It continues Marek Jedlinski's original Tranglos KeyNote and adds Unicode support, better image handling, tags, text folding, faster search and alarms on nodes. The code is released under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, and development is supported by voluntary donations.
KeyNote NF is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- Windows users who want a free, open-source tree notebook
- Long-time KeyNote users who need Unicode and newer features
- Keeping selected notes encrypted inside an otherwise open file
Worth knowing
- Windows only: the project's SourceForge page lists Windows as its platform, and no other build is offered.
- The built-in backup keeps at most 9 recent copies made on saving, so the author advises keeping separate backups of .knt files.
- Its .knt format extends the old one: saving such a file in the original KeyNote 1.6.5 loses alarms and checked-node information.
Key features
- Tabbed notes with trees
- A file holds tabbed notes with a rich text editor and multi-level trees of nodes, and linked nodes can share the content of the same note.
- Encryption
- A file can be encrypted as a whole, or stay unencrypted while selected notes and images are encrypted, with a lock-on-opening option.
- Find All and tree filtering
- Find All shows excerpts with the matched words highlighted, can be limited to a node and its subtree or to node names, and combines with tree filtering.
- Tags and text folding
- Tags apply to notes and to fragments of text for filtering, searching and exporting, and blocks of text can be folded down to a short excerpt.
- Image management
- Handles GIF, PNG, JPG, TIF, BMP, WMF, EMF and ICO images, stored inside the file or externally in a zip or folder, with a built-in viewer.
- Checkboxes, alarms and export
- Tree nodes can show checkboxes, carry alarms and be hidden once checked, and notes export to a printer or PDF with a table of contents.
KeyNote NF pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free software with code under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. Donations are voluntary and do not unlock anything.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| KeyNote NF | $0 | The full Windows program, downloaded from the project's GitHub releases with a setup program. |
Read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with KeyNote NF before you buy.
KeyNote NF alternatives
- KeyNote NF vs RightNote
Free plan · from $29.95 one-time
- KeyNote NF vs AllMyNotes Organizer
Free plan · from $34.00 one-time
- KeyNote NF vs NoteCase Pro
Free plan · from $5 one-time
Common questions
Is KeyNote NF free?
Yes. KeyNote NF is free to use. Free software with code under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. Donations are voluntary and do not unlock anything.
How much does KeyNote NF cost?
KeyNote NF lists one plan. KeyNote NF: $0. Prices were read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026.
What platforms does KeyNote NF work on?
KeyNote NF is available on Windows.
Does KeyNote NF have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. KeyNote NF is listed for Windows.
Does KeyNote NF have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. KeyNote NF is listed for Windows.
Is KeyNote NF open source?
Yes. KeyNote NF is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes KeyNote NF?
KeyNote NF is made by Daniel Prado Velasco.
What are the alternatives to KeyNote NF?
The closest alternatives to KeyNote NF in our directory are CherryTree, RightNote, AllMyNotes Organizer, Zim and NoteCase Pro. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with KeyNote NF.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.