Notr review
A focused open-source option for encrypted notes in terminal and Neovim workflows.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Notr is an open-source command-line note-taking application for people who want encrypted local notes and optional synchronization. It stores notes in an encrypted SQLite database and applies AES-256-GCM encryption before they are written to disk. Its workflow centers on notebooks, note editing and movement, standard and fuzzy search, and offline access. Shell completion for Bash, Zsh, and Fish makes the interface more practical for terminal users, while the first-party Neovim integration extends it into an editor-based workflow. Notr is best suited to technically comfortable users who prefer a keyboard-driven notes system over a general-purpose graphical app.
Its synchronization model is deliberately focused. Notr supports local filesystem and WebDAV backends, plus optional automatic synchronization, so it can fit workflows built around self-managed storage or an existing WebDAV service. End-to-end encryption, local storage, and offline use are central strengths, while TSV and JSON export provide straightforward ways to move note content elsewhere. The combination of search, notebook organization, shell completion, and Neovim support gives the product useful depth for terminal-based work. Buyers should choose it when encrypted notes, local control, and WebDAV compatibility matter more than a broad platform ecosystem.
Notr is distributed as a Python package, and the documented installation workflow is oriented toward users comfortable with package-based setup. Its open-source model avoids a paid tier structure and keeps the product focused on its core command-line experience. The trade-off is scope: users seeking a polished visual interface, broad synchronization choices, or a general consumer notes environment should consider an alternative. For developers, system administrators, and other terminal-oriented users, Notr offers a concise feature set around encrypted storage, flexible search, export, and self-directed synchronization.
Notr pros and cons
- Where it wins
- AES-256-GCM encryption before notes are written to disk
- Local filesystem and WebDAV synchronization with offline access
- Fuzzy search, exports, shell completion, and Neovim integration
- Where it doesn't
- Terminal-first workflow is not suited to every note-taking preference
- Synchronization is centered on local filesystem and WebDAV backends
- Python package installation may require comfort with developer tools
Notr fact sheet, pricing and score →
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