Standard Notes Review, Pricing & Features

Standard Notes is an end-to-end encrypted, cross-platform note-taking app with a free tier and paid plans for extended history, files, and themes.

Category
Productivity
Pricing
freemium subscription, from Free (Productivity plan from about 90 dollars per year)
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 19, 2026
Founded
2016
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Free PlanWindowsWeb AppiOSAndroidOpen SourceFreemiumSelf-HostedMac

What Is Standard Notes

Standard Notes is an end-to-end encrypted note-taking app designed around a simple premise: notes should be private by default. Every note is encrypted on-device before it ever reaches Standard Notes' servers, so only the account holder holds the keys required to decrypt their data.

The app was founded by Mo Bitar in 2016 in Chicago, Illinois, in direct response to privacy policy changes at mainstream note-taking competitors. In April 2024, Standard Notes was acquired by Proton AG, the company behind Proton Mail and Proton VPN, and now sits alongside those products in Proton's privacy-focused suite.

Key Features

At its core, Standard Notes offers markdown editing, nested folders and tags for organization, and smart search, all wrapped in audited end-to-end encryption. Notes sync across web, desktop, and mobile apps so the same encrypted library is accessible everywhere.

Paid tiers extend the free experience with longer note version history, larger encrypted file storage allowances, additional themes and specialized editors (such as rich text, code, and task list editors), and the ability to share a subscription with family members or a small team.

Pricing

Standard Notes uses a freemium model. The free plan covers core note-taking, markdown, folders, and encryption for individuals who do not need extended history or extra storage. The Productivity plan, priced at roughly 90 dollars per year, adds extended note history and more editors. The Professional plan, at roughly 120 dollars per year, adds larger encrypted file storage (up to 100GB) and subscription sharing for multiple users.

Key Features

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Strong, audited end-to-end encryption with a zero-knowledge architecture
  • Generous free tier covering core note-taking needs
  • Cross-platform apps for web, desktop, and mobile
  • Open-source clients allow independent security review
  • Now backed by Proton's broader privacy infrastructure after the 2024 acquisition

Cons

  • Advanced features like extended history and large file storage require a paid plan
  • Editor and organization features are more minimal than some mainstream note apps
  • No built-in real-time collaborative editing comparable to Notion or Google Docs
  • Pricing and product direction may shift as integration with Proton continues

Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Standard Notes really end-to-end encrypted

Yes. Standard Notes encrypts notes and files on-device before syncing, using audited end-to-end encryption, so only the account holder can decrypt their data.

Is Standard Notes free

Yes, Standard Notes has a free tier with core note-taking, markdown, and encryption. Paid Productivity and Professional plans add extended history, more storage, and additional editors.

Who owns Standard Notes now

Standard Notes was acquired by Proton AG in April 2024 and is now part of Proton's suite of privacy products alongside Proton Mail and Proton VPN.

What platforms does Standard Notes support

Standard Notes has apps for web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, all syncing the same encrypted note library.

Can I use Standard Notes offline

Yes, notes are accessible and editable offline and sync automatically once the device reconnects.

Does Standard Notes support markdown

Yes, markdown is supported natively, and paid plans add additional editor types such as rich text and code editors.

How much does Standard Notes cost

Standard Notes offers a free plan, a Productivity plan at roughly 90 dollars per year, and a Professional plan at roughly 120 dollars per year.

Who founded Standard Notes

Standard Notes was founded by Mo Bitar in 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.

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