I abandoned complex note apps for a simple tool; then my productivity exploded

I have tried countless note-taking apps. Each promised to be The One, only to leave me frustrated. I have constantly migrated my thoughts from one temporary home to another.

However, after countless downloads, endless trials, and app-hopping, I can finally say with confidence: I have found my perfect note-taking solution.

I’m thrilled to share how Standard Notes, a note-taking app acquired by the VPN giant Proton, stands out from the crowd.

It provides the secure, minimalist, and future-proof solution I have been searching for.

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By  Jon Gilbert

Accessible on all your devices

My notes go everywhere with me

One of the biggest frustrations I faced during my note-taking journey has been the ecosystem lock-in.

I would find a capable app, like Bundled Notes or Bear, and fall in love with its design and features, only to hit a wall when I tried to use it on a different device.

Bear is fantastic if you are solely in the Apple ecosystem. Similarly, Bundled Notes lacks native apps on the desktop.

However, there are no such limitations with Standard Notes. It offers native apps for practically every device I own and use regularly.

Whether I’m on my Windows desktop, MacBook, Linux PC, or using a friend’s Chromebook, my encrypted notes are available at my fingertips.

The same goes for mobile and tablet platforms, where Standard Notes offers fully functional native apps.

If I switch my primary device from Android to iPhone, I don’t have to worry about leaving my notes behind.

A versatile note-taking solution

It can even create a simple spreadsheet

While Standard Notes excels in security and cross-platform access, its versatility takes the entire note-taking experience to the next level.

For everyday writing, I rely on Markdown support. It allows me to structure my notes with keyboard-friendly syntax. There is also a rich text editor if you need a familiar toolbar.

But it goes even further. I was surprised to find that Standard Notes supports spreadsheets.

It’s not meant to replace Excel or Google Sheets, but it offers ample functionality for basic calculations, tracking small inventories, or organizing data in tabular format.

I use it for personal budgets, project resource lists, and simple habit tracking. This combination means I can use Standard Notes for most situations.

Offline access and tagging system for your notes

For those times when the internet is nowhere to be found

I have been in several situations where having reliable offline access to my notes is crucial. Whether I’m on a flight, in a remote area, or trying to focus without distractions, I can access every note without breaking a sweat.

Standard Notes supports a robust tag system. I can assign relevant tags like #work, #quote, #personal, #finance, and more to my growing note collection.

If you have used Evernote before, you will feel right at home with Standard Notes.

A robust desktop app

It’s feature-rich and ready for action

Although I have been focusing on the Standard Notes Android app here, let’s have a word about its desktop version.

It’s as feature-rich as its rivals and supports all the relevant features. The UI is straightforward, supports multiple themes, and has a focus mode to remove distractions on the big screen.

There is also a plugin section to extend Standard Notes functionality.

Supports end-to-end encryption

My notes are for my eyes only

Standard Notes allows end-to-end encryption by default. This means that every note, tag, and piece of data I create in Standard Notes is encrypted on my device.

It uses a strong encryption method called XChaCha20, and the keys to decrypt my data are accessible only to me.

I store everything from personal reflections and creative ideas to client notes in Standard Notes, and this approach gives me a much-needed peace of mind.

Open source and self-hosting flexibility

I know exactly what’s going on under the hood

The transparency and control offered by Standard Notes’ open source nature, coupled with the option for self-hosting, were major factors in my decision to settle on this app.

The fact that its code is available for anyone to inspect and audit gives me an unparalleled level of trust.

I’m not a developer, but I can count on the global developer community and security experts to review the backend.

There is even an ability to self-host Standard Notes. While Standard Notes offers excellent cloud syncing on its servers (my preferred method), the option to run my own sync server is empowering.

This means I can have excellent control over my data. It’s something I plan to explore in my future home lab.

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The search is over

After years of searching and countless digital detours, I have finally found my note-taking home in Standard Notes.

It goes beyond bells and whistles and delivers on key areas like cross-platform availability, privacy, transparency, and versatility.

Plus, the free plan is generous, with end-to-end encryption, unlimited device sync, unlimited text notes, offline access, password protection for individual notes, and more.

If you want to unlock spreadsheets and the rich formatting bar, upgrade to the Unlimited plan at $120 a year.

Aside from Standard Notes, there are other productivity apps you can consider for your Android phone.