The BEST Private Notetaking Apps Explained

Summary

This video script explores five privacy-respecting digital note-taking apps that prioritize data ownership and security, offering alternatives to mainstream options. It emphasizes the importance of end-to-end encryption and user control over data. Apps featured include Craft, Notally, Apple Notes, Joplin, and Standard Notes, with honorable mentions to Signal's Note to Self, Crypti, and Nextcloud. The top pick is Obsidian, lauded for its customization and data ownership as a personal knowledge base.

Takeaways

• 🔐 Digital note-taking apps vary greatly in their approach to privacy and security, with many popular apps lacking adequate protections.
• 📜 Note-taking can reveal intimate details about a person's beliefs and preferences, making privacy a critical concern.
• 🔒 End-to-end encryption is essential for keeping digital notes secure, similar to locking physical journals in a safe.
• 📂 Data ownership is a key issue; if your data is on a server you don't own, the server owner can potentially claim ownership.
• 📱 Craft is a mainstream app with a strong stance on data ownership and a user-friendly interface.
• 📝 Notally and Apple Notes are recommended for basic, offline mobile note-taking, with Notally available on both Android and iOS.
• 🧪 Joplin is a privacy-respecting, open-source app that supports Markdown and offers end-to-end encryption for cloud syncing.
• 🔗 Standard Notes is a fully open-source, freemium app with end-to-end encryption and extensive features for paying users.
• 🧠 Obsidian is a highly customizable, cross-platform note-taking app that supports local storage and end-to-end encryption for cloud syncing.
• 🌐 Honorable mentions include Signal's Note to Self feature for basic encrypted notes and Crypti and Nextcloud for private cloud storage with note-taking capabilities.

Q & A

What is the primary concern regarding note-taking apps in terms of privacy?

The primary concern is that many popular note-taking apps do not adequately protect user privacy and security, potentially exposing intimate details about a person's beliefs, preferences, and struggles.

Why is data ownership and safety important when discussing digital note-taking?

Data ownership and safety are important because they ensure that the user has control over their data and that it is protected, similar to how a physical journal or document is secured with a lock.

What does end-to-end encryption mean in the context of digital note-taking apps?

End-to-end encryption means that the data is encrypted in such a way that only the user has the key to decrypt it, ensuring that the data remains private and secure even when stored on a cloud server.

What is Craft, and why is it included in the list of privacy-respecting apps?

Craft is a mainstream note-taking app that is included because of its strong public stance on data ownership and accessibility, offering a clear explanation of these concepts and a commitment to ensuring the end user owns their data.

Why are Notally and Apple Notes recommended for offline mobile notes?

Notally and Apple Notes are recommended for offline mobile notes because they provide a simple and clean user interface, support for essential features like labels and archiving, and do not require syncing with a cloud service, thus maintaining privacy.

What is Joplin, and how does it differ from other note-taking apps?

Joplin is an open-source note-taking app that serves as a privacy-respecting alternative to mainstream apps like Evernote. It supports markdown, rich text, and web clipping, and offers end-to-end encryption for syncing notes to cloud services.

What is unique about Standard Notes, and what does its extended upgrade offer?

Standard Notes is a fully open-source, freemium note-taking service that emphasizes longevity and offers end-to-end encryption, web and offline access, and syncing between devices. The extended upgrade offers additional features like themes, multiple editors, encrypted backups, and 2FA support.

What are the honorable mentions mentioned in the script, and what do they offer?

The honorable mentions are Signal's 'Note to Self' feature and the combination of Crypti and XCloud. Signal's 'Note to Self' offers basic note functionality with end-to-end encryption. Crypti and XCloud are private cloud storage services that also include note-taking options, with features like end-to-end encryption and support for various document types.

What is Obsidian, and why is it considered the top choice among the apps discussed?

Obsidian is a cross-platform app that serves as a personal knowledge base or 'second brain.' It is considered the top choice due to its focus on privacy, data ownership, customization options, and strong community support, including access to community themes and plugins on GitHub.

How does Obsidian handle data storage and privacy?

Obsidian stores all files locally on the user's device in the universal markdown format, making them private and portable. It also offers cloud syncing services with end-to-end encryption to ensure data privacy.

What are the key features of the apps mentioned in the script, and how do they contribute to privacy and data ownership?

The key features include end-to-end encryption, offline functionality, data ownership policies, and customization options. These features contribute to privacy and data ownership by ensuring that user data is secure, under the user's control, and can be easily managed and protected.