Standard Notes
647 likes
Standard Notes is a simple and private notes app. It allows you to write and sync your notes across all your devices, iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, MacOS, and web browser.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Switzerland
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- F-Droid
Features
Standard Notes News & Activities
Highlights • All activities
Recent News
- POX published news article about Standard Notes
Proton expands product suite with acquisition of encrypted note-taking app Standard NotesProton, known for its suite of products including Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, Proto...
Recent activities
- rtz6ol0jn updated Standard Notes
- rtz6ol0jn updated Standard Notes
- xylopire liked Standard Notes
flounderingeel added Standard Notes as alternative to TriliumNext
mtotheitoothea added Standard Notes as alternative to AI Notebook
POX added Standard Notes as alternative to FoxyNotes- alexzeecomedy liked Standard Notes
meltedmen added Standard Notes as alternative to PeekNote
abuldoukh added Standard Notes as alternative to Doccera- alternativeto-dingo898 liked Standard Notes
Standard Notes information
Developed by
Proton Licensing
Open Source (AGPL-3.0) and Freemium product.Pricing
Subscription ranging between $3 and $10 per month + free version with limited functionality.Rating
Average rating of 4.5Alternatives
84 alternatives listedSupported Languages
AlternativeTo Categories
Security & Privacy, Office & Productivity, Backup & Sync, Development, Education & Reference, File Management, OS & UtilitiesApple AppStore
- Updated Jun 23, 2024
- 4.68 avg rating
Comments and Reviews
I tried Standard Notes because I am concerned with privacy and security matters. I am an Evernote user as well and I was looking for a more secure replacement.
I'm really satisfied with the end to end encryption and the general security model of Standard Notes.
I also really appreciate the simplicity and minimalism of the program even though it is becoming more and more clear during the regular use that is not a design choice made for usability but more to keep the software easy to maintain for the devs. The most annoying outcome of this choice is the very different user experience between the desktop and the mobile versions. For example using the advanced editor on the desktop app means that in the android app you will have a note with visible html tags. In the end the software experience feels more broken than simple.
In fact I ended up paying for a subscription basically to get rid of the painful red and white UI of the android app and only in second place for the extra features (which I will talk more about later on).
The episode that gave me more concerns:
I was trying the advanced editor on a existing note with some sensitive information (my bad, I know). I converted some text to bold and then to get it back to plain text quickly I pressed ctrl + z several times. Not only the mark up tags didn't completely get removed but the note information somehow disappeared without any chance to get it back (I still had to activate the note history extension).
After this episode my sense of reliability for Standard Notes dropped quite considerably. I think the note history extension should be installed by default or at least there is the need of some kind of reliability system to avoid accidentally losing data in the notes (an edit button might be useful as well even though it wouldn't have helped in my case).
Regarding some of the extensions and themes:
While using the folders extension the UI is broken so it is impossible to edit the tag because the interaction menu is not clickable. Even though I think that there is no real need of nested tags (especially when the system can't be clearly mirrored on the android app) the actual extension should work correctly.
While using a dark theme the notes background flashes with white when switching between notes. It is annoying.
The default color scheme of the app is a punch in the eyes and it feels like it has been done this way so you end up subscribing just to get rid of the offending red color (which is what I did at least).
A better UI color scheme for the android app should be done or at least one extra theme should be available for the free app.
Overall I have the perception of a really (passive) aggressive business model in many ways and as far as I have the will to help the devs of Standard Notes as a paying user I couldn't help but feeling a bit manipulated in my decision to get a paid subscription in a quite unfair way a few times during my first hours of using the software.
In this light I can't help but seeing also the way the software description is written on their website as dodgy: don't try to buy me with promises of "eternal life" and strong coding ethic when in the actual experience it is so easy to lose all the information on a note.
I'm not saying that the devs are greedy or have bad intentions, I understand their position as in the app business they have to compete with giant companies and this might be really unfair to them. But still my suggestion is to try and be more clear with their customers because the software it IS good and there is no need of marketing tricks to get people to subscribe in my opinion. Especially for a software oriented towards security and privacy a clearer and straightforward marketing strategy would be much more appreciated.
To the company:
I understand (and to some extent also appreciate) the bold effort to stand out (and the software probably deserve it as well) but please try to stay more conscious of the customers point of view, in the process.
TL;DR:
Standard Notes is a valuable note taking app alternative for individuals concerned with privacy and security matters with a strip down user experience that feels overall more lacking than simple, though, and both design choices and a business model/marketing strategy that generate some concerns from a customer point of view. Nonetheless there is really good potential in the software and I encourage getting a paid subscription to support its development.
I forgot to update this thread, but a full response was posted on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/StandardNotes/comments/7po3ah/my_review_of_standard_notes/ Full text below:
Hey, thanks for the review :) Glad you give it a thorough go. It seems like your main concerns are with the "paid" version of the app, centering around the experience itself and the business model. This makes sense as there is not a lot to upset anyone with the core free version, which was kind of the goal ;)
As for the experience:
Yes, absolutely, all of this is done to make development easier. But that's not from laziness. It's actually much harder to do everything this way. Everything requires careful thought and runs in sandboxed environments. The reason we torture ourselves to do it this way is because it's better for the long run. Think about it like this: if we just bundled all of the functionality that we currently have in extensions into the core app, we would be no different from Evernote. In fact, we might even quickly become more bloated than Evernote. The core mission of SN has always been anti-bloat. And the great news is that while I've been experimenting and releasing new extensions regularly, the core app has hardly changed from the way it was one year ago. And that's a really good thing. As a developer, I would just love to not have to worry about this limiting extension architecture, and just bundle everything directly in the app. That would make both my life and your life much easier for the time being. But two years from now, the app would inevitably begin suffering and bloating, and eventually implode. What's the typical life expectancy of an indie software product today? Not that long. And there are reasons for that. I've been there before. And I'm now taking the 100 year outlook. And that requires a different sort of thinking and development architecture.
I appreciate how reasonable you are, so I realize you already understand this, but are understandably flustered by this weird model. The good news is that the extensions experience is always undergoing improvement. The next version I'm working on will make the experience a lot more fluid, comfortable, and even fun.
As for the business model:
Believe it or not, I was sort of happy to hear that you thought our business model was "aggressive", because the one thing I've heard from every business-savvy person before was that it's not aggressive enough. I think some history helps: the paid version of Standard Notes came several months after the core version was released. The core version had similar colors on mobile, similar interface on web, and similar website language. And all of that language was meant not to convince you to purchase, but to get you into our world of what we care about and what we're trying to do. After work on the paid product was released, the "marketing" copy was actually dumbed down, and not made more hyperbolic.
But, the disconnect seems to be that you believed our mission, but were set aback by some technical mishaps. This doesn't mean my goal was to deceive you—my mission and passion is still building a notes app that lasts. But this mission is always a work in progress. Even on year 99, it's a work in progress. 2018 is the beginning of year two :)
I'm the sole developer on this and it's a lot of work, but everything is coming together nicely. There are really exciting improvements slated for release this year. Software is a living breathing thing, and feedback like yours helps shape the future and helps improve the product. So I thank you once again for your thoughts. I hope that while you may be taken aback by some of your experiences, that you don't give up on our mission, and understand that, as difficult as it may be, and as hard as I may stumble, I'm always trying to do the right thing, both for the business and for the users.
After using the app for a little while I do have a mixed feelings about it. Originally I am looking for an alternative to Microsoft OneNote which I could use on Linux and mobile Apple/Android devices. Ideally something simple to store text + pictures with an easy way to manipulate the elements around the page like in OneNote does. While I do care about security, this is not an absolutely "must have" feature, rather its a good bonus.
Pros Linux support, multiplatform, simple interface, sync features
Cons Non-subscription version would not let insert pictures, nor you'd have any text/picture manipulation capabilities. There is only 1 subscription option which includes all features while in reality I might use only 1 or 2 of these extras.
Summary Paying 50$ subscription for a year of use feels like a very aggressive marketing, it rather diverts me from the S. Notes. On the other hand, I would be glad to pay a few dollars as a one-time purchase to enable one of the extra editors and may be a folders feature.
I rated the app with 1 star for its aggressive positioning of paid subscription. Otherwise it looks nice and works well.
+1 It's sad they're still at this business model almost a year later.
+1 from me as well
I know a lot of people who use just the basic functionality of SN (i.e. plain editor, no pictures but encrypted sync across devices) and are perfectly happy. Not sure whether thats an aggressive positioning
If they included even more features, they would be bankrupt. It’s a good sign for a project to have a long-term vision and funding
NB: Inserting pictures is one of the only downsides of the SN, it’s really a pain. Until this is improved, I would’t recommend a subscription if pictures are your primary use case. Other than that, I have to 5-year-plan ($2.5 per month, vs $4.2 on the yearly and $10 on the monthly payment schedule) and can’t recommend it enough!
Honestly you stay in the easy thing of comparing functions without realizing that it is not the essential thing when writing your thoughts. I think you should analyze if privacy is a "bonus", because when you write something that the government of your country doesn't like (or if you think your democracy is infallible, think that you travel to a country where this situation exists) you will be cornered by your functions that expose what you think. Freedom of speech starts from freedom of thought, if your tools can know what you write (and therefore what you think) you will have lost everything.
Regarding the subscription, it is expensive, although there are now plans to choose from starting at USD 29/year (USD. 2.41/month). Perhaps if you just analyze that this company is funded 100% by the users, with no company that wants to control the privacy parameters for the business purposes they want, you will realize that reaching that consistency to make such a determination is the result of an arduous analysis and a defense of their own principles. A server or a development team does not work "for the love of art" because perhaps no one gives food or a roof "for the love of that art"; therefore, it is required to be economically sustainable knowing that one of its fundamental pillars is longevity (what would be the point of paying only once and that for lack of capital you end up abandoning the project/development/services?).
I think the term aggressive should be used for all current companies that use privacy as a slogan or simply do not give it technological importance beyond the law because their purposes are always the same, to sell your data.
Their marketing practices alone makes me want away from them.
Dark mode, for example, is a premium feature. I can get Notion's premium for $5 dollars and their costs 10x more.
Fuck that, along with everyone making this software, these people are out of their minds.
Elegantly designed secure note taking software that has found balance between privacy and ease of use. The only missing feature is a dedicated secure collaboration space, but this isn't within their scope and that's alright. This product is exceptional for personal note taking, and then sharing via their Listed service. If you're on the edge of buying a paid plan, check them out around November when they offer huge discounts.
Having read through the (other) top comments / reviews that AlternativeTo.net shows here, I am happy that I am not the only one puzzled by the capricious, or quirky at the very least, behaviour of this software.
I am commenting to mainly draw attention to two specifics:
[1] Even though they proudly proclaim here -- https://standardnotes.com/help/59/can-i-use-standard-notes-totally-offline that
quote Standard Notes can be used totally offline without an account, and without an internet connection...
... When using Standard Notes without signing up for a free sync account, any data you create will remain only on the local machine, and will not be synced. unquote
That is NOT what happens per user experience!!
Launching it's AppImg on my Linux Mint desktop, it obstructs all operation by an unremovable modal nag dialogue absolutely INSISTING ON LOGGING ON! But I don't want to sync, I just want to use a simple note-taking app ON my own computer i.e. this single device and none else. But NO! It just won't let me!!
[2] Next, I thought, "OK nvm let me just sign up for their FREE account to stop the nag..."
Boy, was I naive - I'd registered with Standard Notes back in 2021, using my Google Account. Now, in 2024 I don't remember the password; or whether I had even set any (password) or just logged in directly using my Google Account -- but that was an INEXCUSABLE LAPSE!!
In the name of "security" and "encryption" they absolve themselves of any and all responsibility in case you lose access to your account -- I'm so glad I NEVER PAID for this p.o.s. :eyeroll:
This is the solution they offer if any user forgets their password!!!
QUOTE
I've forgotten my password. What should I do? Standard Notes makes use of end-to-end encryption to encrypt your data on your device before it's sent to our servers. This means that we, or anyone else, cannot read the contents of your notes, nor do we know what your encryption key is. For this reason, password resets are simply not possible. In most cases, your only option is to delete your account by following the reset instructions, then start over in a new account.
UNQUOTE
Ref link -- https://standardnotes.com/help/6/i-ve-forgotten-my-password-what-should-i-do
I will ensure that I never store any data that matters to me, in this "software" because if I'm to take care of my own sh*t that I'd rather just write stuff down in a notebook -- nothing more secure than that, now, is there? /s
Not a fan, something as basic as creating a folder is paywalled. NoteSnook is better for beginner's users.
The app does not have nested folders; it has only #tags, which is difficult for people like me.
I have used Standard Notes before the Proton acquisition, so am excited to see what becomes of it in future as I am a Proton customer. Nevertheless, when I previously used it, I found the free plan extremely limited.
Don't get me wrong, it has the USP of being privacy friendly, secure (E2EE) and can sync with multiple devices. But, I have mixed feelings about it.
IMHO, When you try a new software service you either want a) to have a trial to let you experience its full capabilities and decide if you will pay and continue using it b) have a free plan to really entice you with just enough to make you want to subscribe to their more productive plans.
Unfortunately Standard Notes, like Evernotes and other online services, it's positioning their paid services quite strongly. I get it that offering the ability to save your notes in the cloud costs them so that needs to be covered. I am happy to pay for a service and am not stingy, so please hear me out.
It's a plain text only experience, so if you use Markdown you don't get a rendered WYSIWYG view - you might like the text-only approach but not me. I'm not too bothered with the sorting of notes into tags, so the Pro plan is too much for me as I won't use the additional features of spreadsheets, journaling, folder organisation. With attachments and pics, I'm in half a mind - maybe you gotta be willing to pay up as you are using more storage space. As a result, I do not feel enticed but forced to pay for the plan.
Perhaps if someone is already willing and paying for it, they can give a true and honest review to justify the spend.
Thank you for mentioning plain text only