The nvALT Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about nvALT 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.
nvALT
The Insider’s Guide
Free keyboard-driven Mac notes app with plain-text Markdown files
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from nvALT’s own pages.
Made by Brett Terpstra · checked Nov 13, 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 nvALT’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on nvALT’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 88 of the 169 other note-taking apps we grade
nvALT is a free Mac notes app forked from Notational Velocity. One search field filters the note list as you type, and a title that matches nothing becomes a new note. Notes are plain text files with a Markdown preview, and it can sync with Simplenote. The author is building nvUltra as its successor.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about nvALT, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It runs on a Mac only, syncs only through Simplenote, and its author says he is building nvUltra to replace it.
- 1
Best for keyboard-driven plain-text notes on a Mac
nvALT is a free Mac notes app where one search field filters your notes and creates a new one when nothing matches.
- 2
It is free
nvALT has no paid plan at all. NvALT is free, with no paid plans listed.
- 3
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 4
Search-first note entry
One field searches and creates: typing filters the list, and a title with no match becomes a new note on Return.
- 5
Plain-text files
New libraries are a folder of Markdown files, and tags are written to them as Finder tags.
- 6
Apex Markdown preview
Previews combine CommonMark, GitHub Flavored Markdown, MultiMarkdown and Kramdown syntax, with themes for editor and preview.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 88 of 169
That is against the other note-taking apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
nvALT is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
nvALT at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- Brett Terpstra
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for keyboard-driven plain-text notes on a Mac
nvALT is a free Mac notes app where one search field filters your notes and creates a new one when nothing matches. It runs on a Mac only, syncs only through Simplenote, and its author says he is building nvUltra to replace it.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free, with no paid plan listed on its project page. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright, with no paid tier and no cap shown on the project page. |
| Features | C | Search-first entry, plain-text files, Markdown preview, web clipping and Simplenote sync. The listing's gaps: sync is Simplenote only and the author points to a successor. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record. You download it and start typing in the search field. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Mac only, needing macOS 12 or later. No Windows, mobile or web version. |
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 nvALT is for
- Fits if you want quick plain-text notes on a Mac, driven from the keyboard
- Works for people who already use Simplenote
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you use Windows, a phone or a browser, as it is Mac only
- Tight if you sync through Dropbox: the app warns against that while Simplenote sync is on
- Watch out: a new major version opens with default settings, so sync and the notes folder must be picked again
- Watch out: the author describes nvUltra as the app that follows nvALT
Good to know
Good for
- Mac users who want fast, keyboard-only capture into plain text files
- People moving from Notational Velocity who want Markdown preview
Worth knowing
- nvALT 3 requires macOS 12 or later; there is no Windows, mobile or web version.
- Sync is through Simplenote only, and the app warns if notes sit in Dropbox while Simplenote sync is on.
- A first launch of a new major version opens with default settings, so sync and notes folder must be chosen again.
- The author describes nvUltra as the app he is building to follow nvALT.
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
nvALT is free to use.
Free, with no paid plan listed on its project page.
nvALT
$0
Free download; the project page says it is free and shows no paid tier.
The free plan
NvALT is free, with no paid plans listed.
Read from brettterpstra.com on Nov 13, 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: macOS
Free keyboard-driven Mac notes app with plain-text Markdown files. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: local-first, keyboard-first, notes, Markdown, web clipper.
Search-first entry, plain-text files, Markdown preview, web clipping and Simplenote sync.
- Search-first note entry
- One field searches and creates: typing filters the list, and a title with no match becomes a new note on Return.
- Plain-text files
- New libraries are a folder of Markdown files, and tags are written to them as Finder tags.
- Apex Markdown preview
- Previews combine CommonMark, GitHub Flavored Markdown, MultiMarkdown and Kramdown syntax, with themes for editor and preview.
- Web clipping
- Safari extension ships inside the app; Chrome, Brave, Firefox and Zen extensions are installed separately.
- Simplenote sync
- Sync runs through Simplenote and is set up in the Synchronization tab of the notes settings.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
- Simplenote
- Marked
- Safari
- Chrome
- Firefox
nvALT is made by Brett Terpstra.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
88/169
Other note-taking apps it is graded above
nvALT's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 88 of the 169 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 38.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 114 of 169) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
nvALT 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 170 note-taking apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. nvALT’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 72 of 169
- AFree plan and trialAbove 114 of 169
- CFeaturesAbove 4 of 169
- BEase of useAbove 61 of 169
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 169
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 118 note-taking apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. nvALT 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
nvALT is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could make
- Notes, Markdown and web clipper: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
- It plugs into other products, Simplenote, Marked and Safari among them.
What this rests on. nvALT’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
FSNotes, Notenik, Simplenote, Bear and Tot
The 5 tools nvALT is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
FSNotes
Free plan · from $4.99 one-time
Open-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone.
- Only FSNotes lists an iOS app.
- FSNotes is open source, according to its own site.
- FSNotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.6GPA
Notenik
Free
Free Mac notes app with Markdown, custom fields and outlining.
- Notenik is open source, according to its own site.
- nvALT also covers web clipper.
- Notenik also covers linked notes and tasks.
- 3.4GPA
Simplenote
Free
Free plain-text notes that sync across every major platform.
- Only Simplenote lists a web app.
- Only Simplenote lists iOS, Android, Windows and Linux apps.
- Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.6GPA
Bear
Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Markdown notes app for Mac, iPhone and iPad with tags and links.
- Only Bear lists an iOS app.
- Only Bear lists a browser extension.
- Bear also covers linked notes.
- 2.6GPA
Tot
Free plan · from $19.99 one-time
Seven-note text scratchpad for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
- Only Tot lists an iOS app.
- Tot can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- nvALT also covers web clipper.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
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 nvALT free?
Yes. nvALT is free to use. NvALT is free, with no paid plans listed.
How much does nvALT cost?
nvALT lists one plan. nvALT: $0. Prices were read from brettterpstra.com on Nov 13, 2026.
What platforms does nvALT work on?
nvALT is available on macOS.
Does nvALT have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. nvALT is listed for macOS.
Does nvALT have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. nvALT is listed for macOS.
Is nvALT open source?
nvALT is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
What does nvALT integrate with?
nvALT's listing names Simplenote, Marked, Safari, Chrome and Firefox. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes nvALT?
nvALT is made by Brett Terpstra.
What are the alternatives to nvALT?
The closest alternatives to nvALT in our directory are FSNotes, Notenik, Simplenote, Bear and Tot.
How does nvALT compare with other note-taking apps?
nvALT's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 88 of the 169 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 38.
Is nvALT good value for money?
ToolGPA grades nvALT A for value for money. nvALT has no paid plan. On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4.
Could I make my own version of nvALT?
nvALT is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: A real app for macOS.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from nvALT’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from nvALT's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
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 Brett Terpstra. Prices change, so check brettterpstra.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 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.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- nvALT, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/nvalt
- 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, "nvALT: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/nvalt
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/nvalt/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after nvALT, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Note-Taking Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 170 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 nvALT’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. nvALT is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Brett Terpstra. Prices and plans change: check brettterpstra.com before you buy.