Standard Notes 3.8

About Standard Notes

Standard Notes is a secure, simple and truly private note-taking application that puts your privacy first. Every note is encrypted with end-to-end encryption before it ever leaves your device.

Unlike many popular note-taking apps that store your data on their servers and can read it, Standard Notes ensures that only you can access your notes. It is one of the most respected privacy-focused note-taking tools available.

In version 3.8 (May 2026), Standard Notes received performance improvements, better Markdown support, enhanced themes and improved synchronization.

The core application is completely free. Paid extensions (Extensions Pack) add extra features such as themes, advanced editors, and more.

Standard Notes was built from the ground up with one core principle in mind: your notes belong only to you. In an era where most note-taking applications collect data, scan content, or store everything on company servers, Standard Notes takes a radically different approach. It uses strong end-to-end encryption so that even the developers cannot read your notes. This zero-knowledge architecture means your data remains private at all times.

The application is deliberately simple and clean. There are no distracting social features, no ads, no suggested content, and no complicated dashboards. You open the app and immediately see your notes. This minimalist philosophy has earned it a very loyal user base among people who value focus, simplicity, and privacy above flashy features.

Standard Notes supports both plain text and rich Markdown editing. You can create beautifully formatted notes with headings, lists, code blocks, quotes, and more. The editor is fast and responsive, making it pleasant to use for daily journaling, work notes, personal ideas, or secure password lists.

One of the strongest points of Standard Notes is its powerful extension system. While the base application is completely free and fully functional, you can purchase the Extensions Pack to unlock beautiful themes, advanced Markdown editors, spreadsheets, calendars, checklists with due dates, and many other productivity tools. This model allows the core app to remain free forever while still providing advanced features for users who need them.

Synchronization is seamless and secure. You can sync your notes across all your devices using the official encrypted sync service or self-host your own server. Because everything is encrypted before it leaves your device, even if someone gains access to the sync server, they cannot read your notes.

The app is truly cross-platform. It has native applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Your notes stay perfectly in sync no matter which device you use. Many users appreciate that Standard Notes works equally well on desktop for long writing sessions and on mobile for quick note capture.

Privacy-conscious users particularly love that Standard Notes has no telemetry, no analytics, no data collection, and no tracking of any kind. The company behind it has a strong reputation for respecting user privacy and has never sold or shared user data.

In 2026, with growing concerns about digital privacy and data ownership, Standard Notes continues to gain popularity as a trustworthy alternative to big tech note-taking applications. Many people who previously used Evernote or Notion are switching to Standard Notes because they want to escape subscriptions, data collection, and the feeling that their private thoughts are being monitored.

Whether you need a secure place for personal journaling, a safe repository for work notes, an encrypted password manager, or simply a clean and private digital notebook — Standard Notes delivers an elegant, reliable, and truly private solution.

Key Features

• End-to-end encryption by default
• Zero-knowledge privacy architecture
• Simple and clean interface
• Markdown and rich text support
• Cross-platform synchronization
• Tags and powerful search
• Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android
• No ads and no tracking
• Powerful extension system
• Self-hosting option available