Standard Notes

Simple and private notes app. Protect your privacy while getting more done. That's Standard Notes.

GitHub stars
6,659
License
GPL-3.0
Latest release
@standardnotes/mobile@3.202.9
8 October 2026
Last commit
12 October 2026
Runs on
Ruby

Commits per month, last 12 months

228 commits

Replaces

Paid products Standard Notes can stand in for.

How to self-host Standard Notes

Standard Notes runs on Ruby. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.

  1. Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
  2. Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
  3. Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
  4. Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.

New to self-hosting? Start with the beginner's guide.

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Questions

Is Standard Notes free?

Yes. Standard Notes is open source under the GPL-3.0 license, so you can use it without paying for a license. You pay only for the server it runs on.

Can I self-host Standard Notes?

Yes. Standard Notes runs on Ruby. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.

What does Standard Notes replace?

People use Standard Notes instead of Apple Notes, Evernote or Microsoft OneNote.

Is Standard Notes still maintained?

The last change to Standard Notes's code was on 12 October 2026, with 228 commits in the last 12 months.

Topics

Note-taking & Editors

App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.