Saber
Open-source handwritten notes app for phones, tablets and PCs
What is Saber?
Saber is a free, open-source app for taking handwritten notes on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux. It is known for a highlighter that stays one even color where strokes overlap and for a dark mode that inverts the notes themselves, including images and PDFs. Notes are encrypted on the device and sync through a Nextcloud server: the developer's own, another provider's, or one you host. Extra storage on the official server is paid for through sponsorship.
Saber has a free plan. Paid plans start at Any amount per month for 10 GB of sync storage; $5 per month for 50 GB. See every plan
Good for
- Students and others who take notes by hand on a tablet
- Marking up PDFs and printouts in a dark room
- People who want an open-source handwriting app on every device
Worth knowing
- Syncing needs an account on a Nextcloud server: the official Saber one, another provider's, or your own.
- Extra storage is bought by sponsoring the developer on GitHub Sponsors, then emailing him to have the account upgraded by hand.
- The server owner cannot read notes but can see sign-up details, connecting devices and metadata such as the size of each note.
- On Linux the developer recommends the Flatpak, since the AppImage does not work on all systems.
Key features
- Highlighter that keeps its color
- The highlighter does not darken where a stroke crosses itself, and it is drawn underneath the ink, so the writing below stays clear.
- Dark mode that inverts notes
- Dark mode darkens the notes as well as the interface, giving light ink on a dark page. Images and PDFs are inverted too, so printouts and textbooks match.
- Nested folders
- Notes are organized in folders that can be nested without limit, and the most recent notes are listed on the home screen.
- Encrypted sync
- Notes are encrypted with a randomly generated key before upload, so the server owner cannot read them. The key stays in secure storage on the device.
- Choice of Nextcloud server
- Sync runs on Nextcloud: the official Saber server hosted in the Netherlands, another Nextcloud provider, or a server you host yourself.
- Apps on five platforms
- Saber is on Google Play and F-Droid for Android, the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Mac, Flathub or an AppImage for Linux, and has a Windows installer.
Saber pricing
- Starts at
- Any amount per month for 10 GB of sync storage; $5 per month for 50 GB
- Free plan
- The app is free on every platform, and each account on the official Saber Nextcloud server gets 5 GB of storage by default.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The full app, plus 5 GB of storage for every account on the official Saber Nextcloud server. |
| Standard | Any amountper month, as a GitHub Sponsors sponsorship | 10 GB of storage on the Saber server for a monthly sponsorship of any size. Free for students who email proof of status. |
| Premium | $5or more per month, as a GitHub Sponsors sponsorship | 50 GB of storage on the Saber server. |
| Hoarder | $7or more per month, as a GitHub Sponsors sponsorship | 100 GB of storage on the Saber server. |
Read from raw.githubusercontent.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Saber before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- EducationStandard storage plan free for students
The pricing page gives students the 10 GB Standard plan free. They email the developer their Nextcloud username and proof of student status, such as a UNiDAYS ID.
Stated on raw.githubusercontent.com
Works with
Saber alternatives
- Saber vs Rnote
Free
- Saber vs Squid
Free plan · from $1.00
- Saber vs Goodnotes
Free plan · from $11.99/yr
Common questions
Is Saber free?
Saber has a free plan. The app is free on every platform, and each account on the official Saber Nextcloud server gets 5 GB of storage by default. Paid plans start at Any amount per month for 10 GB of sync storage; $5 per month for 50 GB.
How much does Saber cost?
Saber lists 4 plans. Free: $0. Standard: Any amount per month, as a GitHub Sponsors sponsorship. Premium: $5 or more per month, as a GitHub Sponsors sponsorship. Hoarder: $7 or more per month, as a GitHub Sponsors sponsorship. Prices were read from raw.githubusercontent.com on Oct 9, 2026.
What platforms does Saber work on?
Saber is available on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Saber offer any discounts?
Saber publicly lists the following: Standard storage plan free for students.
Is Saber open source?
Yes. Saber is open source, according to its own site. It can also be run on a server of your own.
What does Saber integrate with?
Saber's listing names Nextcloud. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does Saber have a student discount?
Standard storage plan free for students. The pricing page gives students the 10 GB Standard plan free. They email the developer their Nextcloud username and proof of student status, such as a UNiDAYS ID.
Who makes Saber?
Saber is made by Adil Hanney.
What are the alternatives to Saber?
The closest alternatives to Saber in our directory are Rnote, Xournal++, Linwood Butterfly, Squid and Goodnotes. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Saber.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.