Standard NotesThis page
- Focus
- End-to-end encrypted notes client with an optional self-hosted sync server.
- Hosting
- Self-hostable
- License
- AGPL-3.0
Standard Notes
- Type
- Hosting
- Self-hostable
- License
- AGPL-3.0
- Replaces
Quick verdict
Use when
Pick it when encryption-first, longevity-focused notes matter more than Notion-style databases.
Skip when
Skip when you need a fully managed SaaS with zero operations work.
Standard Notes vs common alternatives
Stable selection factors from this listing—focus, hosting, license, and access. Confirm live details on each official site.
Evernote
- Focus
- Note-taking app with sync, search, and web clipper.
- Hosting
- Commercial SaaS
- License
- Proprietary (typical SaaS)
Google Keep
- Focus
- Lightweight note and checklist app with Google account sync.
- Hosting
- Commercial SaaS
- License
- Proprietary (typical SaaS)
Notion
- Focus
- All-in-one workspace for docs, databases, and wikis.
- Hosting
- Commercial SaaS
- License
- Proprietary (typical SaaS)
| Dimension | Standard Notes | Evernote | Google Keep | Notion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | End-to-end encrypted notes client with an optional self-hosted sync server. | Note-taking app with sync, search, and web clipper. | Lightweight note and checklist app with Google account sync. | All-in-one workspace for docs, databases, and wikis. |
| Hosting | Self-hostable | Commercial SaaS | Commercial SaaS | Commercial SaaS |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Proprietary (typical SaaS) | Proprietary (typical SaaS) | Proprietary (typical SaaS) |
| Access | Website + GitHub | evernote.com | keep.google.com | www.notion.so |
What is Standard Notes?
Standard Notes is an open-source Notes & Docs project. End-to-end encrypted notes client with an optional self-hosted sync server. OpenElse lists it as an alternative to Evernote, Google Keep, Notion, with self-hostable deployment and AGPL-3.0 licensing. Confirm live features, hosting options, and terms on the official site and repository.
What Standard Notes provides
Core signals from this OpenElse listing—verify depth on the official site.
Open-source codebase
Source is published on GitHub at github.com/standardnotes/app.
Self-hostable
You can run it on your own infrastructure.
AGPL-3.0 license
Distributed under AGPL-3.0. Read the license text before production use.
Workflow tags
OpenElse tags this listing for e2ee, privacy, cross-platform.
SaaS replacement mapping
Mapped as an open-source option when evaluating replacements for those commercial products.
How to evaluate Standard Notes
A practical path from this directory page to a decision.
Scan this listing
Review the one-liner, self-host status, license, and “when to pick it” note for Standard Notes.
Open the official site
Visit standardnotes.com for product docs, demos, and current feature scope.
Check the repository
Use GitHub for release cadence, issues, stars, and deployment docs before you commit.
Compare siblings
Open other OpenElse tools in the same category or mapped to the same SaaS to see trade-offs.
Who Standard Notes is for
Teams leaving Evernote / Google Keep / Notion
Pick it when encryption-first, longevity-focused notes matter more than Notion-style databases.
Operators who want data control
Standard Notes is listed as self-hostable on OpenElse.
Notes & Docs buyers
Wikis, knowledge bases, and collaborative docs that replace Notion-style SaaS.
When Standard Notes is the right pick
Pick it when encryption-first, longevity-focused notes matter more than Notion-style databases. Skip when you need a fully managed SaaS with zero operations work.
Licensing and platform notes
Facts to verify on the official site before you depend on a workflow.
- Self-host status
- Self-hostable on this listing. Verify install paths and supported environments in the project docs.
- License
- AGPL-3.0. Confirm obligations for SaaS, embedding, and redistribution before shipping.
- Source of truth
- Features and terms are defined on standardnotes.com and the GitHub repository—not on this page.
- Affiliation
- This route is a curated OpenElse listing at /tools/standard-notes. It is not the official Standard Notes product site.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about this listing—open a question to read more.
Is Standard Notes open source?
Yes. OpenElse lists Standard Notes as an open-source project under AGPL-3.0. Review the license file in the repository for exact terms.
Can I self-host Standard Notes?
Yes. OpenElse marks Standard Notes as self-hostable. Follow the official docs for install and operations.
What does Standard Notes replace?
Standard Notes is mapped on OpenElse as an open-source alternative to Evernote, Google Keep, Notion. Pick it when encryption-first, longevity-focused notes matter more than Notion-style databases.
Is this the official Standard Notes website?
No. This is a OpenElse directory page. The official site is https://standardnotes.com, and the source repository is https://github.com/standardnotes/app.
Where can I find Standard Notes source code?
The public repository linked from this listing is https://github.com/standardnotes/app.