The BEST Private Notetaking Apps Explained

[@techlore]

What's your favorite note-taking app?! Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments! 🗒

[@firex.6273]

Joplin and standard notes for me. Joplin's cross platform feature is horrendous, though.

[@jonathanking4097]

Obsidian for sure is the best

[@user-cl5gv9ep6g]

Vim with it syslinked to a mega synced directory ( or a nextcloud one )

[@mrajax_0101]

Mine is Notion

[@duckmeat4674]

@@mrajax_0101 we are talking about private. Closed source is bad enough, I don't know why closed source software was included in the list anyway, but notion and obsidian both closed source and online is just terrible

[@vlmath314]

joplin can be self-hosted, allowing the sync without paying

[@im1random263]

Good to know! For me cloud solutions aren't an option so I never used Joplin

[@thiefinbluejeans]

Try syncthing

[@im1random263]

Please make a video about privacy friendly hand writing apps for shool. Currently I'm using Xodo with all network access blocked, but it just doesn't feels right

[@ismailariyan]

Perfect timing i was just looking for privacy respective digital note taking app

[@thomaseriksen6885]

Google knew that already

[@siddheshswami2565]

@@thomaseriksen6885 😂😂😂😂😂

[@luysv]

Me too!!! Hahahahha

[@asishreddy7729]

Imagine hearing about these awesome apps for the first time, despite regularly looking at the App Store for cool stuff. Thank you so much. Great video.

[@michelleadams5609]

Great video! For you office fans, remember when Michael asked Dwight why he kept a diary and Dwight said “to keep secrets from my computer “.

[@alexwr]

Obsidian is great! I do wish it was open source, but given it's completely offline, that is less of an issue for me. With Obsidian and Syncthing, I can still carry all my notes around on all devices.

[@gbessone]

But syncing is $8 per month, right? no way to do it free

[@alexwr]

@@gbessone You can use any way to sync to your devices that you choose, not just the built in one in Obsidian. Hence me saying that I use Syncthing to do it. It's a fantastically simple open source tool, totally free (in both senses of the word) and nice and quick, I just have to make sure it's always running on my devices, but that's a fine trade off when somebody is asking me for $8 per month to put my data on their server.

[@gbessone]

@@alexwr i will google that tool! thanks!

[@Will_Moffett]

I don't think it's completely offline. It is giving me unsolicited updates.

[@Ultrajamz]

But since its open source how do you really* know the data stays “offline”?

[@NemoHoes323]

Henry, I have a suggestion for the follow up on this video, I think you should do 5 privacy productivity apps 🧐

[@5555minimum]

Yes please!

[@arcoiris_sky]

yesss! I am looking out for that video too!

[@w1t3k_88]

I will stick to standard notes as I recently bought a 5 years plan. Obsidian would be too complicated for me. Thanks for the video!

[@bennihtm]

I also use Standard Notes with a self hosted server and really like it so far.

[@Aaron-tk7vc]

I gave up on Standard Notes. It's so buggy.

[@wildcard5]

I just downloaded Obsidian and don't understand whats going on in the app.

[@Busterblade20]

@@wildcard5 check linking your thinking KZbin channel. Obsidian is not the most intuitive note taking app so I highly recommend watching some videos to learn markdown and eventually learn all the obsidian features if you want but you could be perfectly fine just writing the basic stuff in obsidian. Good luck.

[@codeartha]

Same

[@G4M3RSH311]

Great video! One question though: What‘s your view on obsidian regarding the lack of open sourcing and also the obsidian sync feature in terms of security and privacy?

[@nevoyu]

Obsidian uses plain text files, so using something like sync thing works perfectly for note sync

[@bsaednnmgointuvtjstairhvrqujnb]

Make a video about the bests 2FA off-line apps (LOCAL BACKUP CODES)

[@leatherwiz]

The problem with all these is that they can be sold and the new owner changes everything as the new owner of Evernote did.

[@sedanchair2]

... Yup on Evernotes sneak attack on it's customers. That's why I keep two note keepers.

[@anshulsingh8326]

I wish obsidian was open source.

[@Mike09017]

This is why I don’t even trust the offline notes apps for my most intimate notes.

[@mpxz999]

Does Obsidian accept stylus “hand-written” notes? If not, would you have any suggestions that work with stylus created notes?

[@eurimontero1883]

Obsidian is so good, unfortunately it is proprietary...

[@shakenigiri8596]

Here are some open source apps that support handwritten notes: Xournal Xournal++ Rnote OpenBoard Jarnal NoteLab MrWriter

[@misoompa88]

hi you're still looking for that "hand-written" notes? well Obsidian doesn't have a native drawing feature but there's a community plugin called "Excalidraw" that lets you draw and write

[@shreyanshumaheshwari150]

Obsidian vs Standard Notes. Which one is best for privacy?

[@balloontune1769]

So my favorite Notetaking app is - *Notepad++*

[@xenstarnetwork5333]

Many of us are using devices with stylus pen. It would be great if you make a video with the apps that supports stylus support too.

[@amirahaidary4187]

Yes! - and what have you learned about apps that support a stylus

[@amirahaidary4187]

Also what devices for using stylus are good options?

[@tec4303]

6:42 If the notes will be stored on my phone without being encrypted, can't all apps with the permission to read storage access my notes and do with them whatever they want?

[@Mikein203]

Good question 🤔. . I hope someone answer's this.

[@ashkb7511]

Exactly that's the problem. It stores texts in .md file which is like .txt file easily accessible to any app or anyone.on top of that it stores images local you can show pictures stored in obsidian in photo app. He didn't mention any of that. Not even in top 5 if you consider that

[@thelazyninja3381]

Great video, informative and humor was on point with the little video clips and thought bubbles. 10/10

[@chapps80]

Why a note taking app is offering E2EE? who is the other end?

[@zainalu]

Please make a video on privacy friendly word processors 'unlike' Microsoft Word.

[@duckmeat4674]

Libreoffice Onlyoffice Any latex processes

[@zainalu]

@@duckmeat4674 Thanks!

[@beachbumnz]

@Duck Meat - quack quack 🦆

[@fshahariar323]

I was so excited to see Standard Notes on Top 2! I've switched from Google Keeps to Standard Notes yesterday. It was super easy to import my Google Keeps data on it. It has both Linux and Android version of it. It's Awesome 🙌

[@alirubaii4839]

Techlore community! How would I replace Google Sheets for my personal finances? (1) I like to do my budget and tracking on a spreadsheet, (2) I need it to be a web-app at least, and (3) needs to be E2E encrypted.

[@peenweinerstein9968]

Standard notes paid version has a spreadsheeting function

[@Beho1der]

Thanks a lot bro for making such videos. My thoughts are that signal is still the best for day to day tasks like making grocery lists etc or storing links. However, obsidian is all in one where you can do much more from making notes to trip itineraries, coding and anything in between. It may look complex at first but after some tutorials obsidian is really the king of all note making apps.

[@robertmaxey5406]

To the new Obsidian user demanding simplicity and no frills, do this. Turn off almost every stock plugin. Some plugins are not required in your case. Second, use the stock template/theme. Works well in dark mode. Then get your ass to work 😄 Obsidian can be a simple notes app or a complex application with few limits. And it is offline and the free version is not at all crippled. By free, I mean you do not need to pay for things you might not need like Obsidian Sync. I just copy one folder to Dropbox and my backup is done. Great video, by the way. I am a fan,.

[@CyberDocUSA]

Henry and Team, I work so much now that I have to play catch up with your vids and it's worth every minute. Thanks as always for all that you all do!

[@LeeHarrison89]

Hey Henry, have you seen SmarterEveryDay's latest video about big tech/privacy? Would love to hear your thoughts.

[@skybox-101]

In my 60's need to get 350 folder w 3000 files off noteverything into a differnt note keeper. It works fine perfect for me but no longer supported. What is good option to 1. Get my 3000 files out of that app 2. To continue simply taking notes and organized by title and folders. It would be nice to be able to put them onto my pc. I use android and pc.

[@videofrat3115]

Why do you mention Craft for example if its not E2EE? would be good to do a video like this but only including E2EE as there are very few options to choose from

[@serpenteve]

This guy wearing MONERO tshirt already says how much he cares of privacy. Jeez.

[@wawi_08]

Joplin, one of the best markdown notes apps. But not for to-do notes, because the alarm feature sucks

[@sammydepresso]

I would like to see a productivity tools that are privacy respecting video.

[@AppleMenace]

😂 That Zuckerberg creep look

[@robertmaxey5406]

I think a big issue some people have with these types of apps is how difficult the mobile version is to use compared to the desktop version. I am on a Android tablet and some features of some apps are not available to me but they are to the desktop user. For example, the "/" slash is useless to the Mobile Notion user. Simply not available. What some find easy can be impossible for me and my situation.

[@Murasaki29]

Yeah that the thing I have with all of these. I really like their Desktop version but the app version just lagged or accidently delete things...

[@zine_eddinex24]

needs update video 2024 💟

[@jayvr.]

Where does simplenotes stand...?

[@4thfugee]

I needed this 😇THANK YOU!

[@TheCârtiță]

I mostly use the default note app on the oneplus 7t, i have the most trust in that, someone if needed, contradict me

[@Busterblade20]

I believe obsidian is still pretty mainstream even more than craft.

[@Glow0110]

How is Notesnook not in here?

[@encyclopediablender]

Obsidian isn't open source

[@MargudnRoboter]

Not a fan of this video. Too many of the apps are closed source, which means you have to trust their companies and that they are doing the right thing :/

[@bild96]

What about simplenote

[@Rayzur99]

which is the most secure?

[@cheery-hex]

glad to see Joplin is here... I like it!

[@timtaylor8305]

I'm still all about my nextcloud notes!

[@devang3171]

obsidian isn't FOSS though? I am surprised you didn't mention that bit at all lmao

[@beachbumnz]

FOSS?

[@KeyPeele1]

Thanks for the video! Can you do something similar with calendar apps?

[@LummyTum]

You always say "link in the description" and then never have any links in the description...

[@tcideh4929]

love the American Dad references, great show!

[@YossefMichel]

I will love to get advice about Data Asset Management. Something?

[@nedludd7622]

Isn't "to zuck" a new verb?

[@Bizarro69]

need my always-visible word count. paragh alignment options. and instant upload! alas I'm a pipe dreamer

[@1ali1996]

heyyyy wtf google not it bad !! omg how to send all my nots to another good one

[@kanakshilledar9788]

I was just searching for a note taking app :)

[@CrptcHpp]

iCloud Notes likely are not E2EE by default but what about notes that you’ve individually locked with a password?

[@JohnDoe-ml4ye]

just write on paper lol

[@Funkfreed]

Was trying to replace google keep. Unfortunately, both joplin and obsidian don't have a web UI which means I can't use it on my work laptop. Standard notes has but the android app is too simple not even a checkbox list.

[@sedanchair2]

... I keep two note keeping apps due to the sneak attack of Evernote on it's customers,Google Keep being one of them,Zoho notebook being the other.

[@hectorgperez]

It kills me that neither Joplin nor Standard Notes have the widget option on android, they are my favorites of this list.

[@davidcrawford6631]

Signal note to self is all that is needed in my simple life.

[@linuxdragon57]

Etesync supports note syncing, but I haven't found a suitable desktop version for it.

[@pacifico4999]

What about Simple Mobile Tools' Simple Notes?

[@JM.TheComposer]

Thanks, I never knew about Signal's notes.

[@blake-ow9mv]

Please do an update on this video if you can whenever you get time.

[@blackpolygon9306]

Is it just me or are the Links in Description missing?

[@hyperblackhole2105]

Is there any note taking app that allow us to set password for different notes

[@darkcarolineriddle]

Premium standard Notes does this. I have it so I can confirm.

[@cowwy3130]

Do you think a password managers “secure notes” work?

[@humansoul8173]

Thank you! I really needed it! Can you also do a safest mind mapping apps too?

[@AndyP126]

Why avoid iCloud? It’s end-to-end encrypted now.

[@buzzlightweight]

Why don’t you like iCloud?

[@teamrabbitalec]

Tomboy notes is nice, only complaint is that it doesn't have images. Self wikis are neat for organizing things (tomboy ng is the next gen one)

[@JohnSmith-mq2uy]

Henry, how do you use spotify privately? Is there a way to raise the level of privacy when using the service?

[@recklessroges]

There's nothing private about spotify - it's a proprietary platform. (And I'm starting to hear from friends that their playlists can vanish without warning.)

[@JohnSmith-mq2uy]

@@recklessroges I know that. I just heard Henry saying in a video or a surveillance report(cant recall which one) that he still can't give up on Spotify, basically the only controversial (in privacy terms) service in his 'arsenal'. Well, he said that probably more than a year ago though

[@milkgrapes6420]

Use a fake temporary email service for one

[@john75RRC]

Yaassss finally something I can send to not nerdy people

[@d360ani]

Thank you for the nice Video 👍 A similar video about calendar apps would be awesome! (Or is that topic already covered in one of your videos? Unfortunately I haven't watched all your videos yet)

[@eurimontero1883]

"Anytype" release will be so exciting...

[@redeyesdrogon786]

this is a cool video. I will look into these apps since they will be useful for me

[@zweiwing4435]

How about software Engineer on Linux side?

[@Tylasian]

Can you self host obsidian

[@priscilacanaanoliver683]

What about Trello ?

[@Ahmad-cj4ef]

been using stranded notes and signal note to self

[@maysamxd6407]

Make a video on word alternatives

[@wildflower2166]

Thanks, AGAIN ❣️ ✌🏻❤️😎

[@JanMyler]

On a 5 year Standard Notes plan myself as well. What I didn't like about it so far: the UI is not intuitive and cumbersome to use at times, lack of keyboard shortcuts. Also the prioritization of their roadmap is a bit of a pain given there are long term issues that are not being addressed.

[@domoel]

Could you elaborate on those issues eventually?

[@JanMyler]

The offline experience on mobile seems to be working now, so I edited my original comment to remove it. The UI not being intuitive was mostly a matter of the previous versions and has improved greatly in the latest builds. The lack of keyboard shortcuts is still a big issue imho but admittedly hard to fix given the app architecture. Roadmap prioritization: there were certain issues open for months-years (offline mobile experience for an example) but the focus was put on building new features and new customer acquisition. Again, not judging just mentioning.

[@alpacamale2909]

Standard Notes is the best. Obsidian is a meme.

[@TheHandsomeOne]

Obsidian's not opensource?

[@OliTheJanitor]

Joplin is just better than all of these

[@mrdotak6]

Zuckerburg in the background though😂

[@NylaTheWolf]

OBSIDIAN GANG WHERE YOU AT?

[@abraxabau]

Joplin is gold

[@nikkireynolds9514]

iCloud is also E2E encrypted, so what is your beef about that service? Just asking, really. What do you know that I’ve missed?

[@destructodisk9074]

As a Mac user I really like the way Craft looks, but when I went to the App Store on my Mac to check it out, it seems like they collect a lot of data. They state on their website they don't sell your data. So why do they need to collect so much of it? What does my purchase history have to do with taking notes? Seems like a scenario where they might not be using my data now, but they have plans to when their user base is big enough.

[@FruityHachi]

I tried cryptee but it asked me to disable adblocker, I thought they were privacy app? and I want to highlight and color my notes, does Joplin and Obsidian offer that?

[@porkslam2041]

FINALLY!!! SOMETHING FOR ME!!

[@robertmaxey5406]

I use Obsidian but I never sync. I simply copy one Vault folder to my Dropbox. Takes a minute or so. Notion was nice, but no offline access means it is not a true productivity app. I want to decide when to be productive, not my access to a net connection.

[@manuelthallinger7297]

Obsidian cant even install community extension or throw an error if it cant.... Deeply dissapointed

[@moto-rambler]

Thoughts on Zoho Notebook?

[@Angel-yq8jd]

You're the best Techlore

[@c-LAW]

Why do all these modern apps (post 2015) insist on using icons instead of menus? I don't speak icon.

[@barbyboi]

I really cant use any other then samsung notes... Tryed aaa loot but all dont have the features I need. At least i dont save my passwords there Nice tshirt btw!

[@naotaisakari8307]

Thank you! Everyone else recommending those same shitty ass apps that require signing up with an account.