Head-to-head · Note-Taking Apps
Standard Notes vs Dash
Standard Notes leads on 0 checks, Dash on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreStandard Notes · 6.5/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialonly Dash
Standard Notes scores higher on our rubric for note-taking apps: 6.5 against 3.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #27 and #63.
Standard Notes is the better fit for security-first note taking. Dash is the better fit for private, encrypted notes with local AI.
- Standard Notes fits best
Security-first note taking
- Dash fits best
Private, encrypted notes with local AI
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Side by side
| Feature | Standard Notes 6.5/10 Visit ↗ | Dash 3.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 6.5 | 3.0 |
| Ranking | #27 in Note-Taking Apps | #63 in Note-Taking Apps |
| Best for | Security-first note taking | Private, encrypted notes with local AI |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $90/yr | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | 7 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Integrations | 3 integrations | 2 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features Standard Notes 2/3 · Dash 2/3 | ||
| Offline access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Note sharing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time collaboration | — | — |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android | web, macOS, iOS, Android via web PWA |
| Storage limit | 100 GB | Not checked yet |
| Integrations | Evernote, Google Keep, Aegis | Ollama, LM Studio |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Standard Notes is an end-to-end encrypted note-taking app for individuals who prioritize private storage across devices. Its free Standard plan covers plain-text notes, unlimited device sync, offline access, tags, and two-factor… Read the review → |
Dash is a local-first note-taking app for people who want private, encrypted notes without creating an account. It combines a block-based rich-text editor with folders, tags, wiki-style links, full-text search, note locking, biometric… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Standard Notes — where it wins
- End-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and note-level password protection
- Offline editing across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
- Supports plain text, Markdown, rich text, checklists, code, and spreadsheets
Where it doesn't
- Paid plans start at $90 per user annually
- No real-time collaboration
- Former Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive backup is unavailable
Dash — where it wins
- AES-256-GCM encryption, biometric unlock, and encrypted exports
- Offline editing with folders, tags, links, and full-text search
- On-device AI support through Ollama and LM Studio
Where it doesn't
- Windows and Linux apps are not available
- Integrations are limited to Ollama and LM Studio
- Shared notes are read-only, without real-time collaboration
- Standard Notes6.5/10 · Free plan
A security-first note app with broad note types, offline editing, and no real-time collaboration.
Visit Standard NotesFull verdict → - Dash3.0/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial
A privacy-focused note app with strong offline tools and a narrow ecosystem.
Visit DashFull verdict →
All Note-Taking apps comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update