Firefly review
A focused free app for private, offline Markdown notes on desktop.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Firefly is a lightweight note-taking application for people who want private personal notes stored directly on their computers. Its chat-like notestreams are designed for quickly capturing thoughts, while locally stored Markdown files support research, reference material, and other plain-text workflows. The app runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with no sign-up required.
Pricing is straightforward: Firefly has one Free plan with locally stored Markdown notes, no paywalls, and no stated usage limits. The free model covers the product's core use case rather than dividing features across paid tiers. On-device storage also means notes do not depend on a cloud service, while password protection and file encryption add privacy controls for locally managed content. Configurable themes and workflows provide some flexibility without changing the app's narrow focus.
Firefly's main strength is its combination of offline access, plain-text portability, and privacy-oriented storage. Markdown files remain human-readable, which can reduce dependence on a proprietary note format. The trade-off is ecosystem breadth: the product does not include synchronization, sharing, or integrations, so it is better suited to an individual working primarily on supported desktop computers than to teams or people moving between devices. Choose Firefly for quick, private local notes and a simple Markdown-based workflow; choose another note-taking app if collaboration, cross-device continuity, or connected services are central requirements.
Questions about Firefly
Does Firefly have a free plan? Yes, there is a free plan.
What does Firefly run on? Windows, macOS and Linux. It runs as a desktop app.
Who is Firefly built for? Solo users and small businesses (our editorial estimate).
Firefly pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Stores notes locally in human-readable Markdown files
- Works offline without sign-up, paywalls, or cloud dependency
- Adds password protection, file encryption, and configurable workflows
- Where it doesn't
- No synchronization across devices
- No sharing or collaboration features
- Desktop-only support for Windows, macOS, and Linux
Firefly fact sheet, pricing and score →
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