The Archive
Plain-text note-taking app for Mac built around Zettelkasten
What is The Archive?
The Archive is a Mac note-taking app from the authors of Zettelkasten.de, designed around the Zettelkasten method of linked notes. Notes are plain text files in a folder you choose, so they can be synced with any cloud storage service and opened in other editors. A single search field finds and creates notes, with Markdown highlighting, hashtags, wiki-style links and saved searches on top. It is a one-time purchase with a 60-day free trial.
The Archive is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $19.99 one-time purchase. See every plan
Good for
- Writers and researchers practicing the Zettelkasten method
- Mac users who want notes kept as plain text files
- People who liked nvALT and want a similar search-first app
Worth knowing
- It is a Mac app only; the site lists no iPhone, iPad, Windows or web version.
- There is no sync service of its own: notes sync only by keeping the folder in a cloud storage service.
- The developers plan a paid version 2 and say version 1 owners will get a discount on it.
- It ignores Finder tags on purpose; a separate converter turns them into #hashtags for notes coming from nvALT or DEVONthink.
Key features
- Plain text file storage
- Every note is a plain text file in a folder you pick, so notes stay readable without the app and can sync through iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, Box or similar services.
- Search-first navigation
- One search field, the Omnibar, finds notes by their text and creates a new note from the search term. Saved searches switch between subsets of your notes.
- Wiki-links and note IDs
- Double-bracket wiki-links look up the target note by its ID, giving clickable links between notes without file paths or a proprietary format.
- Markdown editor
- Markdown highlighting, inline image preview, typewriter mode, hashtags, auto-completion of tags and links, and customizable themes.
- Plug-ins
- Plug-ins, added in version 1.8, automate tasks such as extracting a note from selected text or building a list of links. They cannot delete notes or reach the internet.
- URL scheme
- Links starting with thearchive:// let other apps such as Alfred and Keyboard Maestro open a matching note, run a search or launch a plug-in.
The Archive pricing
- Starts at
- $19.99 one-time purchase
- Free plan
- None
- Free trial
- 60-day free trial
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| The Archive | $19.99one-time purchase | A license for version 1 of the Mac app, with the features announced for version 1 shipped as free updates. The press kit also gives the price as 19.99 EUR. |
Read from zettelkasten.de on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with The Archive before you buy.
Works with
- Alfred
- Keyboard Maestro
- iCloud
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
- Box
The Archive alternatives
- The Archive vs FSNotes
Free plan · from $4.99 one-time
- The Archive vs Obsidian
Free plan · from $4/mo
- The Archive vs Understory
Free plan · from $24.99 one-time
- The Archive vs Logseq
Free plan · from $5/mo
Common questions
Is The Archive free?
No, The Archive is a paid product, but you can try it first. 60-day free trial.
How much does The Archive cost?
The Archive lists one plan. The Archive: $19.99 one-time purchase. Prices were read from zettelkasten.de on Oct 6, 2026.
What platforms does The Archive work on?
The Archive is available on macOS.
Does The Archive have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. The Archive is listed for macOS.
Does The Archive have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. The Archive is listed for macOS.
Is The Archive open source?
The Archive is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
What does The Archive integrate with?
The Archive's listing names Alfred, Keyboard Maestro, iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive and Box. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes The Archive?
The Archive is made by Christian Tietze and Sascha Fast. It dates from 2018.
What are the alternatives to The Archive?
The closest alternatives to The Archive in our directory are FSNotes, Obsidian, Understory, Notenik and Logseq. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with The Archive.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026.