FSNotes
An open-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone that stores notes as plain files.
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1 more ways to get FSNotes
Package managers
- Homebrew
brew install --cask fsnotes
About FSNotes
FSNotes is a native notes app for macOS and iOS built around folders of plain Markdown files, so notes stay readable in any text editor. It uses GitHub Flavored Markdown, supports wiki links, tags and folders, and stays fast with collections of more than 10,000 files.
Notes sync between devices through iCloud Drive, and Git integration can make scheduled commits, show note history and push to a remote repository. Individual notes or folders can be encrypted with AES-256 and unlocked with Touch ID. No account is needed and it works offline.
Strengths
- Notes are plain Markdown files readable without the app
- Built-in Git backups with history
- Per-note or per-folder AES-256 encryption with Touch ID
- No account and no subscription
Limitations
- Apple platforms only
- Sync relies on iCloud Drive or your own Git setup
Details
- Pricing
- PaidNo subscription; the official stable release is distributed through the App Store.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Platforms
- macOS, iOS
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Mac and iPhone users who want Markdown notes in plain files they control
- Categories
- Note-taking
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to FSNotes
Compare allSoftware that can replace FSNotes for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Obsidian
A notes app that works on a folder of plain Markdown files on your own disk, with links between them.
Obsidian works on a folder of plain Markdown files with backlinks, graph view and plugins across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and is free but closed source.
Bear
Apple-exclusive markdown notes app with tag-based organization and a polished editor.
Bear is an Apple-only Markdown app with tag-based organization and a polished editor, but it is closed source and advanced features like export require a subscription.
Joplin
An open source note and to-do app that syncs end-to-end encrypted through storage you already have.
Joplin is an AGPL-licensed note app with end-to-end encrypted sync and apps on every major platform, though attachments live in Joplin's own storage layout rather than loose files.
Notenik
A free, open-source Mac note-taking app that stores notes as plain-text Markdown files in folders.
Notenik is a free, MIT-licensed Mac app storing plain-text Markdown notes with wiki-style links, but it has no iPhone app and relies on third-party sync.
The Archive
A plain-text Zettelkasten note-taking app for macOS that stores notes as Markdown files.
The Archive is a paid macOS Zettelkasten app storing plain Markdown files synced through any cloud folder, with no iPhone app and no built-in encryption.
Octarine
A local-first Markdown note-taking app for macOS that keeps notes as plain files.
Octarine is a freemium, closed-source macOS app that keeps notes as local Markdown files with core features built in, but offers no iPhone app.
QOwnNotes
A plain-text Markdown notepad and todo manager that syncs through Nextcloud or ownCloud, or any file sync you already use.
QOwnNotes is a free GPL-2.0 Markdown notepad for macOS and Linux that syncs through Nextcloud, ownCloud or any file sync, but has no iPhone app.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
iA Writer
Minimalist Markdown writing app focused on the text.
Typora
A polished Markdown editor with live in-place rendering, sold as a one-off purchase rather than a subscription.
Tot
A small text scratchpad for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch that syncs through iCloud.
Markor
An open-source Android text editor for Markdown notes, todo.txt lists and plain text files.
Drafts
An Apple-platform app for capturing text quickly and sending it elsewhere with actions.
