ZenNotes
ZenNotes is a keyboard-first notes app that stores notes as plain Markdown files in a vault.
What ZenNotes is
ZenNotes is a keyboard-first notes app that stores notes as plain Markdown files in a vault. It works offline across macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and self-hosted browser deployments, with a free app that supports local and iCloud vaults without an account. The editor includes Vim motions, operators, registers, marks, macros, folds, and an ex prompt. Markdown code blocks can render KaTeX math and diagrams made with Mermaid, TikZ, JSXGraph, and function-plot. Organization features include vault-wide search, tasks, tags, backlinks, daily notes, and support for Obsidian-friendly vaults. Notes can be shared, and ordinary folders can sync through Git, iCloud, or Dropbox. A bundled CLI reads, writes, searches, and tags notes, manages tasks, and runs the MCP server, with one-click setup for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and Codex. ZenNotes Cloud adds cross-device sync, backups, restores, ZIP downloads, and web publishing. Cloud costs $5 a month, billed 48 USD a year; synced notes and attachments are readable by the service because end-to-end encryption is not offered.
Good
- Free app with no account needed
- Offline access across major platforms
- Vim editing support
- Math and diagram rendering
- CLI and MCP integrations
Watch out
- Cloud lacks end-to-end encryption
- Cloud costs $5 a month
- Cloud data has a 30-day download window
- Some add-ons cost extra
Who it suits
It suits users who want Markdown files, keyboard and Vim editing, offline access, broad device support, and optional self-hosting or cloud synchronization.
Verdict
ZenNotes combines portable Markdown storage with powerful editing, organization, automation, and self-hosting options. Its free local workflow is broad, while Cloud users should consider readable synced data and retention terms.
Plans and prices
From ZenNotes's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| ZenNotes app | Free | Local and iCloud vaults · No account needed · Self-host the web app · Free forever |
| 10 vaults add-on | $1 a month | 10 vaults instead of 5 · or $10 a year |
| 25 vaults add-on | $2 a month | 25 vaults instead of 5 · or $20 a year |
| 10 GB storage add-on | $3 a month | 10 GB storage · or $32 a year |
| Publish to the web add-on | $3 a month | Up to 100 public notes · Theme and logo · or $30 a year |
| ZenNotes Cloud | $5 a month | 2 GB storage · 5 vaults · 50,000 files · 10 MB per file · Backups kept 30 days · or $48 a year, 20% less |
The facts
Each one read from ZenNotes's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Assistant integrations
- Its MCP server has one-click setup for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and Codex.checked 11 Oct 2026
- CLI
- The bundled zn CLI can read, write, search, tag, and manage tasks in notes, as well as run the MCP server.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Cloud features
- ZenNotes Cloud offers cross-device sync, daily and manual backups, restores, ZIP downloads, and web publishing.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Cloud retention
- After Cloud access ends, existing Cloud data has a 30-day download-only window before it becomes eligible for permanent removal.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Cloud security
- Cloud connections use encrypted HTTPS, but synced notes and attachments are stored in a form the service can read because end-to-end encryption is not currently offered.checked 11 Oct 2026
- File sync options
- Vaults are ordinary folders that users can sync with Git, iCloud, or Dropbox; Cloud adds cross-device sync.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Git,iCloud,Dropbox,Claude Code,Claude Desktop,Codexchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Math and diagrams
- It renders KaTeX math and Mermaid, TikZ, JSXGraph, and function-plot diagrams from Markdown code blocks.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Mobile privacy
- The mobile app policy says ZenNotes does not collect notes or personal information, and notes stay on-device or in the user's iCloud when enabled.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Note sharing
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Offline access
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Organization
- ZenNotes includes vault-wide search, tasks, tags, backlinks, daily notes, and Obsidian-friendly vault support.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The free open-source web app can be self-hosted using the published Docker image and opened in a browser on the user's network.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs privacy questions to the project's GitHub issues and Discord community.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Vim editing
- The editor supports Vim motions, operators, registers, marks, macros, folds, and the ex prompt.checked 11 Oct 2026
- What it does
- ZenNotes is a keyboard-first notes app that stores notes as plain Markdown files in a vault.checked 11 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Supported platforms
- macOS,Windows,Linux,iOS,Android,self-hosted browserchecked 20 Sep 2026
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- 1
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