Beaver Notes is a free, open-source, local-first note-taking app that keeps notes on the device by default, with no account required and no telemetry in the editor. Notes support Markdown, note linking, tags, folders, file attachments, LaTeX math, sketches, and locked notes, and work fully offline, with sync left as the user's choice.[1][2]
Quick verdict
Privacy-minded individuals and students who want free local-first Markdown notes with sketches, math, and note linking will benefit most from Beaver Notes. Its concrete strength is the combination of offline-by-default editing, AES-256-GCM locked notes, and your choice of sync, including a self-hosted server option. The material constraint is that version 5 is in beta and its hosted sync service is still coming soon, so teams that need turnkey collaboration today should choose something else. If you want private personal notes and accept beta software, choose Beaver Notes; if you need settled multi-user collaboration now, stay with Notion.[1][2]
Key features
Markdown-first editing Notes are written in Markdown with themes, code blocks, and a clean editor, and import from other apps is supported, so writing stays portable instead of locked in a proprietary format.[1]
Local-first with no account Notes stay on the device by default, the app works fully offline, and the editor collects no telemetry, so writing starts without signing up or trusting a cloud.[1]
Links and backlinks Notes link to each other and version 5 adds backlinks, turning scattered pages into a connected web of related ideas.[1]
Labels and fast search Labels, tags, and folders organize large collections while built-in search finds notes quickly; structure stays optional for light users.[1]
Whiteboard, tables, and Kanban An Excalidraw whiteboard, tables, Kanban boards, and presentation mode sit next to prose, so brainstorming, structured data, and task tracking share one workspace.[1][2]
Locked notes with AES-256-GCM Sensitive notes can be locked with their own password under a documented security model that derives keys with Argon2id; forgotten passwords cannot be recovered by anyone.[1]
Attachments, LaTeX, and Mermaid File uploads, LaTeX math, and Mermaid diagrams extend notes into coursework, technical writing, and visual explanations without plugins.[1]
Your choice of sync Sync through your own cloud storage, a self-hosted server, or the planned BeaverSync service, with import and export in Markdown, JSON, PDF, and HTML keeping every exit open.[1][2]
Who will love it
Privacy-first personal note-takers whose notes should live on their own hardware with no account and no editor telemetry.[1][2]
Students and technical writers who need LaTeX math, Mermaid diagrams, code blocks, and offline editing for coursework and drafts.[1]
Open-source tinkerers who read code and run their own infrastructure, rewarded by MIT licensing, open export formats, and a documented security model.[1][2]
Who should avoid it
Version 5 is in beta and backups are unencrypted and must be stored safely, so cautious users should wait for stable releases or back up carefully.[1][2]
Turnkey real-time collaboration and the hosted BeaverSync service are version-5 plans, not shipped certainties, so teams needing settled collaboration today should choose a hosted incumbent.[1][2]
Non-technical users wanting zero setup carry the burden of arranging their own cloud or server for sync; a fully hosted notes app removes that chore.[1][2]
Platforms and portability
Desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with the former separate Android and iOS apps being folded into the single version-5 Tauri codebase; the app works fully offline with no account.[1]
Keep everything local, sync via your own cloud storage, self-host a server, or await the BeaverSync service; no choice locks the others out.[1][2]
Import from other apps lowers the cost of trying it, and export to Markdown, JSON, PDF, and HTML keeps the exit open.[1]
Questions worth asking
What is the best Beaver Notes alternative for non-technical users?
Is Beaver Notes really no-code?
Yes for note-taking: the Markdown editor, whiteboard, tables, and Kanban need no programming, though future plugins and self-hosted sync may reward technical comfort.[1]
How much does Beaver Notes cost per month?
The app itself is free with a monthly fee of 0 and no premium tier; the project accepts donations, sync through your own storage costs whatever that provider charges, and pricing for the planned BeaverSync service is not published. Pricing checked October 2026.[1]
Sources and editorial review
Source research. Reviewed on October 9, 2026. Written by Sanjib Sah. AI assisted; reviewed by a human editor.
We have not run or tested this product.
- Beaver Notes GitHub README
official · Observed October 9, 2026
Maintainer-published feature, platform, sync, pricing, license, and version-5 rewrite statements; primary evidence for capabilities and FAQs.
- Beaver Notes documentation
official · Observed October 9, 2026
Official user and developer documentation index; supports whiteboard, sync options, offline use, and community contact points.
- Beaver Notes security model
official · Observed October 9, 2026
Official threat model and cryptography documentation; supports locked-notes and privacy claims plus the backup caution.