End-to-end encrypted sync
memrynote Yes
Notesnook Yes
Notesnook alternative
The private Notesnook alternative with tasks, calendar & journal built in.
memrynote is an end-to-end encrypted, local-first alternative to Notesnook. Your notes are plain Markdown files in a folder you own, and sync is zero-knowledge: each item is encrypted on your device with XChaCha20-Poly1305 so the server only stores ciphertext. Where a notes app stops at notes, memrynote adds task projects with Kanban and calendar views, a calendar, a daily journal, and a capture inbox in the same encrypted vault. It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, works fully offline with no account, is open source under AGPL-3.0, and is free for local use, with hosted sync from $5/mo.
memrynote vs Notesnook
Open source
memrynote Yes
Notesnook Yes
Notes as plain Markdown files on disk
memrynote Yes
Notesnook No
Task projects with Kanban & calendar views
memrynote Yes
Notesnook No
Built-in calendar
memrynote Yes
Notesnook No
Daily journal with day context
memrynote Yes
Notesnook No
Capture inbox & web clipper
memrynote Yes
Notesnook Partial
Works offline
memrynote Yes
Notesnook Yes
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.
Notes you can open anywhere
Every note is a .md file in your folder, readable in VS Code, iA Writer, or a terminal.
More than notes
Tasks, a calendar, a journal, and an inbox are native, so your day lives in one encrypted vault.
Zero-knowledge sync
Items are encrypted on your device before upload. The server never sees your keys or content.
Open & free locally
AGPL-3.0 source, every feature free on one machine, and sync only when you want it.
Is memrynote a good Notesnook alternative?
Yes, if you want encrypted notes plus the rest of your day in the same place. memrynote shares the core privacy promise: everything is encrypted on your device before it syncs, and the code is open source. It differs in two ways. Your notes are plain Markdown files in a folder you own, and tasks, a calendar, a daily journal, and an inbox are built in. It runs offline on macOS, Windows, and Linux with no account required.
Markdown files in your own folder
Notesnook keeps notes in its own encrypted storage and offers exports. memrynote stores every note as a .md file with YAML frontmatter in a vault folder you choose, so there is no export step between you and your writing. Wiki-links, backlinks, and properties travel with the files, and you can back them up or version them with any tool.
Encrypted tasks, calendar, and journal
In memrynote, tasks live in projects with custom statuses, subtasks, and Kanban, list, and calendar views. The daily journal shows the day's schedule, tasks, and linked notes beside the entry, and the inbox collects quick captures, voice memos, and web clips. Every one of these syncs with the same end-to-end encryption as your notes.
How memrynote encrypts your vault
memrynote derives keys on your device with Argon2id, encrypts each item with XChaCha20-Poly1305, and signs changes with a per-device Ed25519 key. The sync server stores ciphertext and the metadata needed to route it, nothing more. If you never turn on sync, nothing leaves your machine at all.
Pricing: memrynote vs Notesnook
memrynote
Free, local-first forever. Encrypted sync from $5/mo.
Notesnook
Free with unlimited notes; paid plans from $1.99/mo add storage and features.
Switch from Notesnook
- 1
In Notesnook, export your notes as Markdown from the backup and export settings.
- 2
Open memrynote → Settings → Import, choose the Markdown importer, and select the exported files.
- 3
Your notes land as Markdown files in your vault; turn on encrypted sync to reach your other devices.
memrynote includes a built-in Markdown importer in Settings → Import.
Notesnook alternative FAQ
Is memrynote end-to-end encrypted like Notesnook?
Yes. memrynote encrypts every note, task, and journal entry on your device with XChaCha20-Poly1305 before sync. The server only stores ciphertext and never receives your keys.
Can I import my Notesnook notes?
Yes. Export your notes from Notesnook as Markdown, then use the Markdown importer in memrynote → Settings → Import.
Does memrynote have a mobile app?
memrynote is a desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux today, with mobile apps planned. Your vault is plain Markdown, so your notes stay readable on any device.
Is memrynote open source?
Yes. memrynote is open source under AGPL-3.0, so you can read exactly how it encrypts and syncs your data.
Make the switch.
Notes, tasks, calendar, and journal in one local-first app — private by design, open at heart.