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VNote

Free desktop Markdown note-taking app with plain-file notebooks

FreeNote-TakingChecked Oct 9, 2026
Visit docs.vnote.fun

What is VNote?

VNote is a free, open-source note-taking application for Windows, Linux and macOS that centers on Markdown. Each notebook is an ordinary directory of plain text files, with unlimited folder nesting, tags, search and a Markdown editor that previews as you write. Notebooks can sync through a built-in Git client or any folder-sync service, and the project describes the app as local-first and single-user.

VNote is free to use. See every plan

Good for

  • People who want Markdown notes as plain files with no account
  • Vi users and others who work mostly from the keyboard
  • Keeping a notebook under Git version control
  • Large, deeply nested personal knowledge bases

Worth knowing

  • Desktop only: packages exist for Windows, Linux and macOS, and the docs list no iOS, Android or web version.
  • The docs say VNote is for single-user note-taking, with no real-time collaboration and no managed, account-based cloud service.
  • VNote does not update itself. It only checks for a newer release, and each new version is downloaded and installed by hand.
  • Tags, attachments, the recycle bin and Git sync work only in bundled notebooks, not in raw notebooks that browse an existing folder.

Key features

Notebooks as plain folders
A notebook is one directory of plain text files, mostly Markdown, with folders nested to any depth. There is no database, so notes can be copied, backed up or edited with other tools.
Markdown editor with live preview
In-place and side-by-side live preview, syntax highlighting and an interactive outline, with math rendered by MathJax and diagrams by PlantUML, Graphviz and Mermaid.
Built-in Git sync
A bundled notebook can clone, commit, fetch and push to a Git remote from inside the app, on demand or at a set interval, with a dialog for resolving conflicts.
Mind maps and PDF annotation
Mind maps are their own note type, edited on a node canvas. PDFs open in a built-in viewer with highlight, drawing and text-box tools, and the comments are saved beside the file.
Vi mode and keyboard control
Vi mode gives modal editing, and tabs, window splits, configurable shortcuts and a fuzzy search-and-jump entry box cover the rest from the keyboard.
Export to Markdown, HTML and PDF
Notes, folders or whole notebooks export to Markdown, HTML or PDF, and a custom command such as Pandoc reaches formats like docx and epub.

VNote pricing

Starts at
Free
Free plan
Free and open source under the GNU LGPLv3 license, with no account to create and no paid edition. Packages for each platform are on the project's GitHub and Gitee release pages.
Free trial
None listed
VNote$0The full app for Windows 10 or newer, Linux (as an AppImage) and macOS 10.15 or newer, plus a separate reduced build for Windows 7.

Read from docs.vnote.fun on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with VNote before you buy.

Pricing in detail

Works with

VNote alternatives

All VNote alternatives comparedAll note-taking apps

Common questions

Is VNote free?

Yes. VNote is free to use. Free and open source under the GNU LGPLv3 license, with no account to create and no paid edition. Packages for each platform are on the project's GitHub and Gitee release pages.

How much does VNote cost?

VNote lists one plan. VNote: $0. Prices were read from docs.vnote.fun on Oct 9, 2026.

What platforms does VNote work on?

VNote is available on Windows, Linux and macOS.

Does VNote have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. VNote is listed for Windows, Linux and macOS.

Does VNote have an iPhone app?

No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. VNote is listed for Windows, Linux and macOS.

Is VNote open source?

Yes. VNote is open source, according to its own site.

What does VNote integrate with?

VNote's listing names Git, GitHub, Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, Google Drive and Pandoc. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.

Who makes VNote?

VNote is made by VNoteX Team.

What are the alternatives to VNote?

The closest alternatives to VNote in our directory are QOwnNotes, Joplin, Obsidian, Zim and CherryTree. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with VNote.

Sources for this page

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.