Reflect
Open-source daily notes app with backlinks and local Markdown
What is Reflect?
Reflect is a note-taking app built around daily notes, wiki-style links and backlinks. Since July 2026 its current version, Reflect Open, is an open-source app that keeps notes as plain Markdown files in a folder you choose, with optional AI through your own API key. The Mac app is free, the iPhone and iPad app needs a subscription, and the earlier cloud app continues as Reflect Classic.
Reflect has a free plan. Paid plans start at $9.99 per month, or $99 per year, for the iPhone and iPad app. See every plan
Good for
- Mac users who want free, open-source notes kept as plain Markdown files
- People who work from a daily note and link ideas together
- Users who prefer to bring their own AI provider and API key
Worth knowing
- Only the Mac app is free; the iPhone and iPad app requires a paid subscription.
- There is no web app, and the vendor says Windows and Android versions are not available and have no release dates.
- AI features need your own API key, and the AI provider bills that usage separately.
- Reflect Open adds no end-to-end encryption of its own; sync and encryption rely on iCloud Drive or Git.
Key features
- Local Markdown notes
- Notes are plain Markdown files in a folder you choose. There is no account, no telemetry and no Reflect-hosted cloud service.
- Daily notes and calendar
- The app starts on today's note. Apple Calendar events appear beside the daily note and can be turned into meeting notes.
- Wiki links and backlinks
- Double-bracket links connect notes into a graph, backlinks are tracked for each note, and one search covers notes, backlinks and tags.
- Optional AI with your own key
- Add an OpenAI, Anthropic, Google or OpenRouter key to ask questions about your notes, pull out takeaways and fix grammar. Requests go directly to the provider.
- Voice notes and transcription
- Record audio inside the app and transcribe it through the transcription provider you connect.
- Capture and sync
- The Reflect Capture Chrome extension saves links, selected text and screenshots. Notes sync between devices through iCloud Drive or Git.
Reflect pricing
- Starts at
- $9.99 per month, or $99 per year, for the iPhone and iPad app
- Free plan
- The Mac app is free and open source, with no subscription or account required. The iPhone and iPad app needs a paid subscription.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Mac app | $0 | Free and open source under the MIT license. No subscription and no account. |
| Reflect Pro (iPhone and iPad) | $9.99per month, or $99 per year (US App Store) | Subscription for the iPhone and iPad app, bought in the App Store, where prices are set per country. |
Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 4, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Reflect before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- Annual discountAbout 17% lower price with the yearly subscription
On the US App Store, Reflect Pro is $99 per year versus $9.99 per month, which works out to about 17% less over a year.
Stated on apps.apple.com - Other savingsOne year of the mobile app free for Classic subscribers
Reflect's site says paid Reflect Classic subscribers get one year of the iPhone and iPad app free.
Stated on reflect.app
Works with
Reflect alternatives
- Reflect vs Obsidian
Free plan · from $4/mo
- Reflect vs Logseq
Free plan · from $5/mo
- Reflect vs Roam Research
Free trial · from $15/mo
- Reflect vs Capacities
Free plan · from $9.99/mo
- Reflect vs Bear
Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Featured in
- The best Obsidian alternatives in 2026Alternatives
Common questions
Is Reflect free?
Reflect has a free plan. The Mac app is free and open source, with no subscription or account required. The iPhone and iPad app needs a paid subscription. Paid plans start at $9.99 per month, or $99 per year, for the iPhone and iPad app.
How much does Reflect cost?
Reflect lists 2 plans. Mac app: $0. Reflect Pro (iPhone and iPad): $9.99 per month, or $99 per year (US App Store). Prices were read from apps.apple.com on Oct 4, 2026.
What platforms does Reflect work on?
Reflect is available on macOS and iOS. It also has a browser extension.
Does Reflect offer any discounts?
Reflect publicly lists the following: About 17% lower price with the yearly subscription; One year of the mobile app free for Classic subscribers.
Does Reflect have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 4, 2026. Reflect is listed for macOS and iOS.
Does Reflect have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 4, 2026. Reflect is listed for macOS and iOS.
Is Reflect open source?
Yes. Reflect is open source, according to its own site.
What does Reflect integrate with?
Reflect's listing names Apple Calendar, iCloud Drive, GitHub, OpenAI, Anthropic and OpenRouter. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Reflect?
Reflect is made by Reflect App, LLC.
What are the alternatives to Reflect?
The closest alternatives to Reflect in our directory are Obsidian, Logseq, Roam Research, Capacities and Bear. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Reflect.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 4, 2026.