Notesnook Review: An Alternative to Evernote with End-to-End Encryption

In note-taking apps, everyone is looking for something different. Despite the fact that they all look quite similar to each other, finding that perfect app isn’t always easy. Today, I decided to take a look at another note-taking app that tries to be a private alternative to Evernote.

What This Is About

Notesnook is a cross-platform note-taking app available on all major platforms. There’s also a web version, a clipper, and portable options.

The most interesting feature is the end-to-end encryption of your data during synchronization and transmission to the server. This uses XChaCha20-Poly1305 & Argon2, and the source code is open.

First Launch and Interface Overview

Upon first launch, Notesnook gives you the option to either register with an email address or start using the app right away. If you want data synchronization with the server and encryption for your notes, registration is necessary. Otherwise, the app can be used without an account.

At this point, I would like to note that the website, servers, and other online components of Notesnook seem to be accessible from Russia at first glance. However, without special tools, there are often issues with downloading distributions or opening the website.

Despite the fact that developers claim it as an alternative to Evernote, I would say this app is more of an alternative to Obsidian. At first glance, the interfaces are nearly identical.

Like any note-taking app, Notesnook has three main areas:

• Navigation

• Note List

• Note Editor

The app supports importing data from Evernote, Simplenote, Google Keep, Obsidian, Joplin, and other services that support Markdown format. The import process is fairly simple but requires uploading your data to a special online converter. However, when importing and working with Notesnook, you may encounter limitations in the free version, which I’ll cover below.

Storage Structure

Notes are stored in notebooks, as is standard. You can’t create a multi-level structure of several notebooks. You can add tags, reminders, and mark notes as favorites.

There’s also a section called Monographs that allows you to share your notes. End-to-end encryption still applies, and without the encryption key, you won’t be able to access the data.

Note Editor

The editor is quite standard for this type of app. It supports all the usual Markdown features, including support for mathematical formulas. Notes can be linked to each other.

A few interesting features include a separate tab for working with the table of contents and the ability to lock notes from being edited or viewed.

Useful Settings

You can change the appearance of Notesnook with a built-in set of skins, though these mostly just alter the color scheme.

You can also change the date and time format, set up automatic trash cleaning, and configure spell-checking for any language. There’s an automatic data backup feature.

If necessary, you can specify your own server for synchronization.

Web Clipper

The clipper is available for Chrome and Firefox browsers, but to use it fully, you need to have an account.

The clipper can save an entire page, text, visible part, or a selected section. The result can be text, a screenshot, or as-is, with all styles.

Web and Mobile Versions

Surprisingly, the web version can be used without an account. Additionally, there are no major differences between the apps on any OS.

Cost

This is where things get interesting. You can use Notesnook for free, but with very strict limitations. The free plan includes synchronization, but you can only create up to 20 notebooks, and attachments won’t be available in your notes. The number of tags is also limited.

You can remove all limitations for $4.17 per month with annual billing. You’ll also get advanced features for the clipper and recurring reminders. To access paid features, you’ll need an account.

Conclusion

Perhaps, if you build Notesnook from the source code yourself, it might make sense. But in its regular version, I don’t see much need for it.

The free version of Notesnook is highly limited for any serious note-taker. The restrictions are not lifted if you want to use your own server or offline synchronization. Meanwhile, there are plenty of free (and even paid) alternatives where such strict limitations don’t exist.

In the paid version, Notesnook becomes a full-fledged app that starts to make more sense. Synchronizing Obsidian with a mobile app is very tricky, while here, the problem has already been solved for you. The subscription cost is about the same.

However, even at this stage, it’s important to remember that accessing the app’s servers may be problematic.