Tomboy NG
Tomboy NG: A free, open-source desktop notes app for linked, offline work. Ranked #159 of 214 in Note-Taking Apps by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free open-source linked desktop notes.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree open-source linked desktop notes
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Offline accessYes
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free and open source across Linux, Windows, and macOS
- Automatic links, rich-text markup, notebooks, and search
- Filesystem and GitHub synchronization with browser access
Where it doesn't
- No AI features for assisted note creation or organization
- No real-time collaboration for shared editing
- GitHub synchronization requires an account and network access
Our verdict on Tomboy NG
Tomboy NG is a lightweight, open-source desktop note-taking application for people who want linked notes without a paid plan. It runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS, with offline access and a focused set of writing tools: rich-text markup, automatic linking between notes, search, notebooks, spell checking, printing, backups, snapshots, undo, and redo. Import and export support covers plain text, RTF, and Markdown, making it suitable for personal knowledge bases, reference notes, and long-lived local documents.
Its main strength is the way it connects local desktop notes with familiar storage options. Notes can synchronize through shared filesystems, including Google Drive, Dropbox, SMB shares, and SSH/sshfs. GitHub synchronization adds browser access to notes through the synchronized repository, although it requires a GitHub account and network access. This gives Tomboy NG a practical fit for people who already organize files across computers or prefer repository-based storage. The trade-off is that synchronization is central to the workflow, so it may appeal less to buyers seeking a hosted workspace with built-in team collaboration.
Tomboy NG stays deliberately narrow rather than adding AI or real-time collaborative editing. That focus suits users who value offline desktop writing, automatic note links, backups, snapshots, and control over where notes are synchronized. Its broad desktop platform coverage is useful for mixed Linux, Windows, and macOS environments, while Markdown, RTF, and plain-text export support helps keep notes portable. Choose it for free, open-source, cross-platform personal notes with filesystem or GitHub synchronization; choose an alternative if AI assistance or simultaneous shared editing is essential.
Questions about Tomboy NG
What does Tomboy NG run on? Windows, macOS and Linux. It runs as a desktop app.
What does Tomboy NG integrate with? 5 integrations: GitHub, Google Drive, Dropbox, SMB shares and SSH/sshfs.
Who is Tomboy NG built for? Solo users and small businesses (our editorial estimate).
Your product? Our editors can test Tomboy NG in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Tomboy NG pricing
Tomboy NG fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Offline access | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Linux, Windows, macOS |
| Note sharing | Yes |
| Real-time collaboration | Not verified |
| Storage limit | Not verified |
| Integrations | GitHub, Google Drive, Dropbox, SMB shares, SSH/sshfs |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 5 integrations: GitHub, Google Drive, Dropbox, SMB shares, SSH/sshfs |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Tomboy NG integrations
Tomboy NG lists 5 integrations on its own site.
- GitHub
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- SMB shares
- SSH/sshfs
Alternatives to Tomboy NG
- Microsoft OneNoteA broad, collaborative note system with strong Microsoft integration and a capable free option.9.3
- NotionA flexible workspace for teams that want notes and knowledge bases alongside databases and collaboration.9.2
- EvernoteA broad note-taking workspace for organizing information, tasks, calendars, and documents.9.0
See all Tomboy NG alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
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