Turtl

At a glance

• Editor score
  8.0 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan · 30-day trial
• Best for
  Encrypted notes with sharing and self-hosting
• Free plan
  Yes
• Facts checked
  20 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Client-side encryption with offline operation and later synchronization
  • Permission-based sharing across organized Spaces
  • Open-source server supports self-hosting

• Where it doesn't

  • iOS support is coming soon
  • Business is the only listed tier with dedicated support
  • Multiple note types may exceed the needs of simple note takers

Our verdict on Turtl

Turtl is an encrypted note-taking and organization app for individuals, families, and teams. It supports text, bookmark, password, image, and file/document notes, with Spaces for organizing and sharing content. Permission controls include read-only access and full ownership, while full-text search, tags, sorting, Markdown, and TeX math rendering support more structured workflows. It is suited to people who want private notes alongside shared content, rather than a basic text-only notebook.

Turtl’s hosted plans use a freemium model. The Basic plan is free and includes encryption, unlimited-device access, and community support. Premium costs $3 per month and lists the same included features and support level. Business costs $8 per month and adds dedicated support alongside encryption and unlimited-device access. A 30-day free trial is also available. The plans provide a straightforward path from personal use to team-oriented support, while storage and collaboration limits differ by plan.

Platform coverage includes Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and a Chrome extension, with browser bookmarking extensions for saving web content. Turtl can operate offline after login and synchronize later, and profiles can be imported or exported in full. Its open-source server can be self-hosted, which gives technically capable teams an alternative to hosted deployment. The broad note format support and sharing controls make it a strong fit for mixed personal and collaborative information. It is less suitable for users who need iOS access now, AI features, or a minimal notes app without spaces, permissions, and multiple content types.

Your product? Our editors can test Turtl in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Turtl pricing

All 3 Turtl plans and prices →

Turtl fact sheet

Alternatives to Turtl

• JoplinA flexible, low-cost choice for encrypted notes across desktop, mobile, and web.9.2
• Standard NotesA privacy-focused notes app with offline editing and several editor types.9.0
• NotesnookA low-cost encrypted notes app with broad platform coverage and useful integrations.8.8

See all Turtl alternatives →

Turtl vs the competition

• TTurtl vs Joplin
• TTurtl vs Standard Notes
• TTurtl vs Notesnook
• TTurtl vs PrivacyNotes
• TTurtl vs Cryptee
• TTurtl vs QOwnNotes

Compare Turtl with any tool side by side →

Featured on iTechGuides

Turtl is listed in our Secure Notes Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update