Local Markdown files you own
memrynote Yes
Capacities No
Capacities alternative
The local-first Capacities alternative with open Markdown files, not a cloud database.
memrynote is a local-first alternative to Capacities that keeps every note as a plain Markdown file in a folder you own — no proprietary object database, no cloud lock-in. Where Capacities organises knowledge as typed objects stored on its servers, memrynote stores portable .md files on your disk, syncs with zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption, and works fully offline without an account. Notes, tasks, a calendar, a daily journal, and an inbox are all built in as first-class features in one connected workspace, not scattered across separate views. Your notes stay as open text you can edit and back up with any tool. memrynote runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, is open source, and is free for local use.
memrynote vs Capacities
Works fully offline
memrynote Yes
Capacities No
End-to-end encrypted sync
memrynote Yes
Capacities No
Built-in tasks & projects
memrynote Yes
Capacities Partial
Built-in calendar
memrynote Yes
Capacities Partial
Daily journal / daily notes
memrynote Yes
Capacities Yes
Mobile app
memrynote No
Capacities Yes
Open source
memrynote Yes
Capacities No
No account required
memrynote Yes
Capacities No
Comparison reflects each app’s native, out-of-the-box features as of mid-2026. Competitors may cover some rows through paid add-ons or third-party plugins.
Files you own
Notes are plain Markdown in a folder you control — not typed objects locked in a proprietary cloud database.
Offline-first
The entire workspace — notes, tasks, calendar, journal — works with no internet connection and no account.
Encrypted sync
Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption, so the server only holds ciphertext and your keys never leave your devices.
One complete workspace
Tasks, calendar, daily journal, and inbox are built-in native features, not separate services to manage.
Is memrynote a good Capacities alternative?
Yes. memrynote is a local-first Capacities alternative that keeps every note as a plain Markdown file in a folder you own, rather than as typed objects in a cloud database. Notes, tasks, a calendar, a daily journal, and an inbox are built in as first-class features in one offline-first app. It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, syncs with zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption, and needs no account to start.
Your notes as Markdown files, not a proprietary object store
Capacities organises knowledge as typed objects — notes, books, people — stored in its cloud. That model is powerful for database-style thinking, but your content lives on its servers in a format you do not directly control. memrynote stores every note as a plain .md file on your disk. You can open, search, back up, and move those files with any tool, and your notes are portable text you own from day one.
Tasks, calendar, and journal without a cloud dependency
Capacities adds due dates to objects and has daily notes, but it does not ship a dedicated task system with Kanban, custom statuses, subtasks, and recurring tasks. memrynote does. Its native task layer connects to a calendar that understands due dates, start dates, and journal entries — all running locally, synced optionally with end-to-end encryption. One app covers the full planning loop.
End-to-end encrypted sync, not cloud-stored objects
Capacities syncs through its cloud without end-to-end encryption, which means the service can read your notes. memrynote encrypts every note on your device with XChaCha20-Poly1305 before it leaves your machine, using zero-knowledge keys the server never receives. The server stores only ciphertext, and sync is optional — never a requirement to access your own notes.
Pricing: memrynote vs Capacities
memrynote
Free, local-first forever. Encrypted sync from $5/mo.
Capacities
Free tier available; Pro ~$9.99/mo (as of mid-2026).
Switch from Capacities
- 1
In Capacities, export your space as Markdown from the space settings or export menu.
- 2
Point memrynote at the folder of exported .md files — your notes and internal links carry over as plain text.
- 3
Optionally enable end-to-end encrypted sync to access the same vault across your devices.
Capacities alternative FAQ
Can I migrate my Capacities notes to memrynote?
Yes. Export your Capacities space as Markdown from the space settings, then point memrynote at the resulting folder. Your notes carry over as plain .md files with no extra conversion.
Is Capacities end-to-end encrypted?
No. Capacities syncs your knowledge base through its cloud without end-to-end encryption, so the service can read your content. memrynote encrypts everything on your device with XChaCha20-Poly1305 and zero-knowledge keys — the server only ever stores ciphertext.
Does memrynote work offline like a desktop app?
Yes. memrynote is offline-first: the full workspace — notes, tasks, calendar, journal — runs locally with no internet connection and no account. Sync is an optional encrypted upgrade.
Does memrynote have a mobile app like Capacities?
Not yet. memrynote is a desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux today. Because your vault is plain Markdown in a folder you own, the files remain readable and editable on any device in the meantime.
Make the switch.
Notes, tasks, calendar, and journal in one local-first app — private by design, open at heart.