The KeyNote NF Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about KeyNote NF 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.
KeyNote NF
The Insider’s Guide
Open-source tabbed notebook for Windows with tree notes
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from KeyNote NF’s own pages.
Made by Daniel Prado Velasco · 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 KeyNote NF’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on KeyNote NF’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
2.8
GPA, above 72 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about KeyNote NF, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Download the setup program, run it, start a file.
- 1
Best for a free tree notebook on Windows with encryption
Skip it if you need your notes anywhere but one PC.
- 2
It is free
KeyNote NF has no paid plan at all. Free software with code under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. Donations are voluntary and do not unlock anything.
- 3
It runs on Windows
Windows.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 72 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
KeyNote NF is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
KeyNote NF at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows
- Made by
- Daniel Prado Velasco
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for a free tree notebook on Windows with encryption
KeyNote NF is a free, open-source notebook for Windows with tabs, a tree of notes and a rich text editor, carrying on the old Tranglos KeyNote with Unicode, tags and alarms. It runs on Windows only, with no phone, Mac or web version and no sync listed, and its built-in backup keeps just 9 copies. Skip it if you need your notes anywhere but one PC.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free software under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, in a category whose middle plan is $6 a month. Donations are voluntary and don't unlock anything, so the price is nothing. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole Windows program is free from the project's GitHub releases, with no paid edition and nothing held back for one. |
| Features | C | Tabbed notes with multi-level trees, encryption for a file or just chosen notes and images, Find All with highlighted excerpts, tags on notes and fragments, folding, alarms and PDF export. That covers a local notebook, but no sync is listed at all, and the built-in backup keeps only 9 recent copies. |
| Ease of use | B | Download the setup program, run it, start a file. No account and nothing to configure, though there's a fair bit to it once you're in. It isn't on any store, so there's no rating on record to lift it further. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Windows and only Windows. The project offers no other build, there's no Mac, Linux, phone or web version, and the listing shows no integrations at all. |
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 KeyNote NF is for
- Fits if you want a free tree notebook on a Windows PC
- Works for people moving on from the original KeyNote who need Unicode and newer features
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want your notes on a phone, a Mac or the web, as it only runs on Windows
- Not for you if you need notes synced between computers, since no sync is listed
- Watch out: the built-in backup keeps at most 9 recent copies, so the author advises keeping separate backups
- Tight if you still open files in the old KeyNote 1.6.5, which loses alarms and checked nodes on saving
Good to know
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.
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
KeyNote NF is free to use.
Donations are voluntary and don't unlock anything, so the price is nothing.
KeyNote NF
$0
The full Windows program, downloaded from the project's GitHub releases with a setup program.
The free plan
Free software with code under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. Donations are voluntary and do not unlock anything.
Read from github.com on Oct 9, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Windows
Open-source tabbed notebook for Windows with tree notes. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, local-first, notes.
The project offers no other build, there's no Mac, Linux, phone or web version, and the listing shows no integrations at all.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Windows
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
KeyNote NF is made by Daniel Prado Velasco.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
72/147
Other note-taking apps it is graded above
KeyNote NF's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 72 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 34.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 100 of 147) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
KeyNote NF has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 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. KeyNote NF’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 62 of 147
- AFree plan and trialAbove 100 of 147
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 147
- BEase of useAbove 47 of 147
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 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. KeyNote NF 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
KeyNote NF 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
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- Sharing with other people, which means accounts and invitations.
What this rests on. KeyNote NF’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
CherryTree, RightNote, AllMyNotes Organizer, Zim and NoteCase Pro
The 5 tools KeyNote NF is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
CherryTree
Free
Hierarchical desktop notes with rich text and code highlighting.
- Only CherryTree lists macOS and Linux apps.
- 2.4GPA
RightNote
Free plan · from $29.95 one-time
Windows note organizer with pages, trees and several note types.
- KeyNote NF is open source, according to its own site.
- RightNote can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- RightNote also covers daily notes, tasks and spreadsheets.
- 2.4GPA
AllMyNotes Organizer
Free plan · from $34.00 one-time
Windows notes organizer that keeps everything in one local file.
- KeyNote NF is open source, according to its own site.
- AllMyNotes Organizer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- AllMyNotes Organizer also covers tasks.
- 3.0GPA
Zim
Free
Desktop wiki that keeps linked pages as plain text files.
- Only Zim lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Zim also covers linked notes, wiki, daily notes and tasks.
- 2.8GPA
NoteCase Pro
Free plan · from $5 one-time
Cross-platform outliner and note manager with Lua scripting.
- Only NoteCase Pro lists macOS, Linux and Android apps.
- KeyNote NF is open source, according to its own site.
- NoteCase Pro can be bought with a one-time purchase.
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 KeyNote NF free?
Yes. KeyNote NF is free to use.
How much does KeyNote NF cost?
KeyNote NF lists one plan. KeyNote NF: $0.
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.
How does KeyNote NF compare with other note-taking apps?
KeyNote NF's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 72 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 34.
Is KeyNote NF good value for money?
ToolGPA grades KeyNote NF A for value for money. KeyNote NF has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of KeyNote NF?
KeyNote NF is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: A real app for Windows.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from KeyNote NF’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 KeyNote NF's own pages on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-03-11.
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 Daniel Prado Velasco. Prices change, so check github.com 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
- KeyNote NF, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/keynote-nf
- 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, "KeyNote NF: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/keynote-nf
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/keynote-nf/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after KeyNote NF, 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 KeyNote NF’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. KeyNote NF is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Daniel Prado Velasco. Prices and plans change: check github.com before you buy.