Pellet review
A broad local Markdown workspace with a one-time desktop license.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Pellet is a local-first personal knowledge and note-taking app for people who want notes, tasks, calendars, canvases, whiteboards, handwriting, PDFs and voice notes in one file-based workspace. Content is stored in ordinary folders and open formats, and the app works offline without requiring an account. Desktop versions support macOS, Windows and Linux, while companion apps are available for iOS, iPadOS and Android. It suits users who prefer local Markdown and want several visual planning tools in the same workspace.
Pricing is straightforward. Pellet offers a 14-day usage-based trial, followed by a $20 one-time Desktop license. That license is lifetime, covers one macOS, Windows or Linux device, and provides full app access after the trial. The free mobile desktop companion is available on iOS and Android, with a plain Markdown vault plus notes, tasks and calendar companion access. Platform connections include Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, ICS feeds, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Webex. AI integrations include Claude, ChatGPT, OpenClaw, Hermes, OpenAI, Gemini and Ollama, alongside a local API and MCP server.
Its main strength is breadth without leaving the file-based workspace: Wikilinks, backlinks, transclusion, graph views and vault maps support connected notes, while tables, Kanban boards, calendars and Gantt timelines cover structured planning. Canvas, Excalidraw whiteboards and handwriting pages add visual work, and PDF and EPUB reading can include linked highlights. Voice recording and transcription extend capture beyond typed notes. The trade-off is that the desktop license is device-based, the mobile apps are companion products rather than full desktop equivalents, and encrypted synchronization depends on a user-hosted relay. Pellet is a strong fit for local-first users who want one broad workspace; users seeking a simple notes-only app or fully hosted synchronization may prefer a narrower alternative.
Questions about Pellet
Does Pellet have a free plan? Yes: the Mobile desktop companion plan is free.
Is there a free trial of Pellet? Yes: a 14-day free trial; no card is needed.
What does Pellet run on? Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. It runs as a desktop app and as a mobile app.
What does Pellet integrate with? 14 integrations, including Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, ICS calendar feeds, Zoom and Google Meet.
Who is Pellet built for? Solo users and small businesses (our editorial estimate).
Pellet pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Combines Markdown, backlinks, graphs, boards, calendars and timelines
- Works offline across desktop platforms without requiring an account
- Includes PDFs, EPUBs, transcription, whiteboards and local AI connections
- Where it doesn't
- The $20 lifetime license covers one desktop device
- Mobile apps are companions with a plain Markdown vault
- Encrypted synchronization uses a relay hosted on a user-controlled computer
Pellet fact sheet, pricing and score →
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