Noted stores notes as Markdown or HTML files on your device and can use AI without a cloud account when you connect a local runtime such as Ollama or LM Studio. Its editing, search, links, export, and Git workflows work offline. If you choose a cloud AI provider, the configured request is sent to that provider after the app’s default personal-data masking; masking reduces exposure but does not keep the request on your device.
What “local-first” means in Noted
Noted’s notes are ordinary .md or .html files in a folder you choose, rather than content locked inside a hosted workspace. You can read and back them up with standard file tools. The project documentation says there is no account, sync service, or telemetry, and that notes stay on the machine unless you explicitly send them to an AI provider or a Git remote.
That is a local-file design, not end-to-end encrypted cloud storage. It does not by itself protect files from someone with access to your device, an insecure backup, or a remote you choose to configure. Device security and any external destination remain your responsibility.
Where Noted’s AI sends your data
AI is optional and provider-based. Noted’s AI guide lists two local-runtime options and four cloud providers:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches#1 Best Overall
- ENHANCED CONTEXT WITH MULTIMODAL INPUT: Capture audio, type notes, add images, and press to highlight key moments for richer context. During recording, instantly mark key moments with a single button press. Simultaneously enrich your audio by snapping photos of important documents or typing in ideas
- CHAT WITH YOUR RECORDINGS USING "ASK Plaud": Unlock deeper insights with this interactive AI. Ask questions, extract key points, draft emails, and get next-step suggestions—all grounded in your original audio for reliable, ready-to-use answers
- INTELLIGENT RECORDING WITH AI DIRECTIONAL AUDIO: Enjoy seamless, intelligent recording with Plaud Note Pro. Its AI automatically switches between call and meeting modes while recording, while directional audio and real-time spatial awareness minimize noise to capture voices with crystal clarity
- Everything Included: Includes Plaud Note Pro, magnetic case, magnetic ring, charging cable, and a free Starter Plan with 300 transcription minutes per month. Upgrade anytime in the Plaud app to Pro Plan (1,200 min/mo) or Unlimited Plan(Up to 24 hours of transcription per user per day)
- PREMIUM ULTRA-SLIM DESIGN WITH INSTANTVIEW DISPLAY: Meticulously designed, the AI Note Taker is just 0.12 inches thin and 1.06 oz —about the size of a credit card. Its sleek aluminum body with a textured wave finish features a vivid AMOLED display, letting you check battery and recording status at a glance, while it seamlessly works with Apple Find My to ensure you never misplace it
| Provider type | Options named in the guide | Data-flow implication |
|---|---|---|
| Local runtime | Ollama; LM Studio | Inference can stay on the device when Noted is configured to use a local endpoint. The guide says these options can be configured without an API key. |
| Cloud service | OpenAI; Anthropic; Google Gemini; OpenRouter | The configured request goes to the selected provider. Noted says cloud requests are masked for personal data by default before they are sent. |
Noted’s documentation says, “Nothing is sent anywhere until you set one up, and by default requests to cloud providers are masked for personal data first.” In practice, selecting a cloud provider means information in the request—including note context you choose to include—leaves your machine after masking. Masking is not a guarantee that sensitive information cannot be transmitted or recognized. For content that must remain local, use a local runtime and verify that it is actually running on your device rather than on a remote machine.
How note context is selected
The assistant can use selected notes as context, and its retrieval settings are configurable. The AI guide documents a Top-K default of 3, the option to consider up to 100 notes, and the option to include up to 8,000 characters from the active note. These are product configuration limits, not measures of answer quality. Noted returns responses whole rather than streaming them.
Rank #2
- AI-POWERED TRANSCRIPTION & SUMMARIES: Plaud Note Pro is your professional voice transcriber, delivering high-accuracy transcription in 112 languages with auto speaker labels. Powered by top AI models and thousands of templates, Note Pro instantly creates structured summaries, mind maps, To-Do lists, and proposals tailored to your role and industry
- ENHANCED CONTEXT WITH MULTIMODAL INPUT: Capture audio, type notes, add images, and press to highlight key moments for richer context. During recording, instantly mark key moments with a single button press. Simultaneously enrich your audio by snapping photos of important documents or typing in ideas
- CHAT WITH YOUR RECORDINGS USING "ASK Plaud": Unlock deeper insights with this interactive AI. Ask questions, extract key points, draft emails, and get next-step suggestions—all grounded in your original audio for reliable, ready-to-use answers
- INTELLIGENT RECORDING WITH AI DIRECTIONAL AUDIO: Enjoy seamless, intelligent recording with Plaud Note Pro. Its AI automatically switches between call and meeting modes while recording, while directional audio and real-time spatial awareness minimize noise to capture voices with crystal clarity
- Everything Included: Includes Plaud Note Pro, magnetic case, magnetic ring, charging cable, and a free Starter Plan with 300 transcription minutes per month. Upgrade anytime in the Plaud app to Pro Plan (1,200 min/mo) or Unlimited Plan(Up to 24 hours of transcription per user per day)
What you can do with the notes
The editor is built on TipTap and supports headings, code blocks, tables, formulas, and task-oriented writing. Noted also provides wikilinks, backlinks, a per-note connections panel, quick open, and global full-text search across titles and note bodies. Notes autosave as you type; changing a title renames the corresponding file to match it.
Git integration can show repository status, commit, push, and open GitHub pull requests. That makes Git an optional route to version history and remote backup, not an automatic sync service: pushing to a remote sends the repository content there. A local MCP server can also let compatible AI clients read and write notes and use the documented file-first agent workflows.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #3
- YOUR AI PERSONAL ASSISTANT FOR EVERYDAY PRODUCTIVITY: More than a voice recorder, Pocket works as your AI personal assistant to capture, transcribe, and summarize meetings, calls, and ideas instantly. Core features are included out of the box, with optional advanced tools available for power users.
- ONE-TAP RECORDING FOR REAL-LIFE MOMENTS: Capture meetings, phone calls, and in-person conversations instantly with a simple tap, no typing, no interruptions, just effortless note-taking anywhere you go.
- SMART AI INSIGHTS & ORGANIZATION: Pocket automatically turns recordings into clear summaries, key action items and structured conversation maps so you can quickly review what matters without digging through audio.
- TURN CONVERSATIONS INTO ACTION WITH “ASK POCKET”: Don’t just record, understand. Instantly ask questions across your meetings, extract key insights and generate next steps in seconds. All grounded in your recordings, so answers stay accurate and reliable.
- MAGSAFE COMPATIBLE FOR SEAMLESS USE: Easily attach Pocket to your iPhone or other MagSafe compatible devices for convenient, hands-free recording on the go. Perfect for capturing meetings, calls, and ideas without needing to hold your device.
How Noted differs from a hosted note service
The useful comparison is about architecture, not a blanket claim that one category is more private or capable. Hosted services vary, so the table describes the trade-offs documented for Noted against the general hosted-workspace model.
| Consideration | Noted | Hosted-workspace approach |
|---|---|---|
| Where notes live | Markdown or HTML files in a folder you choose; core note work can be offline. | Notes are kept in a service’s hosted workspace; local storage and offline behavior depend on that service. |
| AI locality | Can use Ollama or LM Studio locally, or cloud providers with default personal-data masking. | AI processing and data handling depend on the service and its provider configuration. |
| Portability and history | Files can be opened with ordinary tools; Git workflows are available. | Export formats, database access, and version history depend on the service. |
| Knowledge navigation | Wikilinks, backlinks, full-text search, and configurable note retrieval. | Features vary by product. |
| Automation | Local MCP server supports compatible clients and file-first workflows. | Integration and automation options vary by product. |
The trade-off is that Noted is a desktop app rather than a hosted workspace with an included sync service. If you want remote backup or collaboration, you need to set up an external route such as Git, and that route has its own access and privacy implications.
Rank #4
- Plaud Intelligence: Capture conversations in 112 languages and generate accurate transcripts with the Plaud App and Web. Plaud Intelligence uses leading models like GPT-5.5, Claude Sonnet 4.6, and Gemini 3.1 Pro to transform raw audio into structured insights. Choose from over 10,000 professional templates to generate mind maps and to-do lists, turning hours of discussion into immediate clarity
- Multiple Ways To Wear With Included Accessories: Adapt Plaud NotePin S to any workflow instantly with four included accessories. Wear your device effortlessly as a necklace, wristband, clip, or pin. Plaud NotePin S features a dedicated physical record button for precise, tactile control. Stay professional and keep your intelligence within reach all day
- Enterprise-grade Privacy: Built to the highest standards with ISO 27001/27701, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, and EN18031 compliance. Every conversation is secure and protected. It is the trusted choice for creative, medical, and business professionals handling sensitive info
- Multimodal Input & Multidimensional Summaries: Capture audio, type notes, add images, and press/tap to highlight for richer context with multimodal input. Press the record button to mark key moments in real time. Plaud transforms a single conversation into multiple perspectives, providing faster, clearer insights, and unifies these inputs to deliver role-specific summaries that reflect your intent and priorities
- Lightweight Power and Peace of Mind: Weighing only 0.61 oz, Plaud NotePin S delivers 20 hours of continuous recording and 40 days of standby time. Store up to 64GB of audio locally, ensuring you capture every insight even without an internet connection
Install Noted and enable AI
- Download the build for your desktop platform from the Noted project. The README lists macOS Apple Silicon and Intel DMGs, a Windows x64 installer, and Linux AppImage or deb packages.
- Choose a notes folder when setting up the app. Notes are saved as files there, and autosave means no manual save action is needed.
- To add AI, open Settings → AI and select a provider. For local inference, choose Ollama or LM Studio and configure its local endpoint; these options can work without an API key. For a cloud provider, choose the service and provide its API key.
- If you want version history or a remote backup, configure Git separately. Review the repository and remote before pushing, since a push transfers its contents to that destination.
Platforms and installer caveats
| Platform | Builds documented by the project | Signing and requirement notes |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | Apple Silicon and Intel DMGs | Builds are signed and notarized; macOS 11 Big Sur or later is required. |
| Windows | x64 installer | Installer is not code-signed and may prompt a first-run security check. |
| Linux | AppImage or deb packages | Installers are not code-signed and may prompt a first-run security check. |
Security claims and what they establish
The project’s security overview documents controls including IPC-side file and folder validation, symlink-aware path-traversal defenses, HTML sanitization, Electron context isolation with Node integration disabled, navigation guards, SSRF filtering on the LLM proxy, local-host and origin restrictions on the MCP SSE server, and Electron safeStorage for API keys or tokens when available.
These are project-documented safeguards, not an independent security audit. The documentation does not establish a published benchmark for answer quality, latency, model accuracy, battery use, or storage overhead, so those outcomes depend on the model, hardware, and configuration rather than a documented Noted guarantee.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
