What makes Znote different from Obsidian or Notion?

Znote combines markdown editing with built-in AI chat, JavaScript code execution, and meeting transcription - all in one app. Unlike Obsidian (requires plugins) or Notion (cloud-based subscription), Znote is local-first, works offline, and has a one-time payment model.

Is Znote free to use?

Yes, Znote is free to use for basic markdown writing. The Pro license (one-time) unlocks AI features, code execution, meeting transcription, themes, and removes the 'Unlicensed' label.

Can I use my own AI API key with Znote?

Yes! Znote supports Bring Your Own Key (BYOK). You can connect OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek, Ollama, or any OpenRouter-compatible LLM. This gives you full control over your AI usage and costs.

Does Znote work offline?

Yes, Znote is 100% local-first. All your notes are stored on your device, and you can work completely offline. AI features require internet only when using cloud-based LLMs (you can use Ollama for fully offline AI).

What programming languages can I run in Znote?

Znote supports JavaScript/Node.js code execution directly in your notes. You can import any NPM package, run bash scripts, query APIs, and export your code as standalone scripts.

Your Notes, Now Executable.

Write in Markdown. Run code. Call AI. All in one file, on your machine.

DOWNLOAD APP

$ brew install znote

No subscriptions. No vendor lock-in. Your data stays on your device.

2,000+

Active Users

5.0 ★

User Rating

100%

Local & Private

⚡️ An executable note is a Markdown file that runs.
Write code, connect to APIs, call AI models, all inside a plain .md file on your machine.

⚡️ Executable Notes

Markdown files that run Node.js, call APIs, and work with any AI model

✦ AI Chat

Chat with AI, inside your notes

Your notes become live conversations. Ask, edit, save — without leaving your file.

Rewrite, summarize, or brainstorm right inside your note
Conversations stay linked to the text they came from
Pick up where you left off — no lost context
Works with OpenAI, Claude, Ollama, or any OpenRouter model

✦ Automation

Write once. Run anytime.

A note can be a script. Write it once, open it like a mini-app whenever you need it.

Run Node.js or Bash directly from your note
Query databases, call APIs, parse JSON — all inline
Install any NPM package on the fly
Build a DB explorer, API tester, or data pipeline in minutes

✦ Voice & Audio

Record. Transcribe. Done.

Capture a meeting or idea with your mic. The transcript lands straight in your note.

Record or upload — no cloud bots, no setup
Local transcription with Whisper, result inline in your note
Then let AI summarize, extract action items, or reformat it

🛠 Built for the Tools You'll Build

The editor, the structure, and the local files that make executable notes practical every day.

Two Editors

WYSIWYG for text, Code Editor with auto-complete

Tabs

Work on multiple documents at once

Tags & Folders

Find everything fast with full-text search

Local Files

Open, edit, and organize your Markdown files

AI Runtime

Call any model from a code block or chat

Private & Secure

Lock notes with passwords, stay offline by default

🛡 Notes You Own. Tools You Keep

Plain Markdown files. Local execution. Your AI key.

Works offline

All files stored locally, no internet required

Choose your AI

Works with OpenAI, Claude, Ollama, or local models

Plain .md files

Markdown + executable code blocks. Open in any editor, run in Znote

Interoperable

Easy to export, share, back up

Private by default

You stay in control

💬 A note is just text. An executable note is a tool you built, documented, and can run again tomorrow.
That's the difference Znote makes.

📊 No Other Tool Does This

Executable notes with built-in AI, local execution, and no subscription

Feature	Znote	Obsidian	Notion	Jupyter
Local-first & Offline	✓	✓	✗	✓
Built-in AI Chat	✓	Plugin	✓	✗
Run JavaScript/Node.js	✓	✗	✗	✓
Meeting Transcription	✓	✗	✗	✗
WYSIWYG Editor	✓	Limited	✓	✗
Bring Your Own LLM	✓	Plugin	✗	✗
One-time Payment	✓	✓	✗	Free

TRY ZNOTE FREE

🎯 What People Build With It

Executable notes look different for every person — here are three real workflows

👨‍💻

Developers

Build mini tools like API testers, DB explorers and data transformers. Write the documentation and the working code in the same file.

Run Node.js against real endpoints
Ask AI to explain or rewrite code
Share a note that works, not just explains

🎓

Students & Researchers

Record a lecture, transcribe it locally, and have AI extract key concepts. All without leaving the note or touching a cloud service.

Transcribe lectures automatically
AI-powered study summaries
Works offline in class

🚀

Indie Makers

Prototype in a note. The same file holds the idea, the working code, and the AI conversation that shaped it. Ship faster by keeping context together.

Build a Gmail automation in 5 min
Keep your stack in notes you own
One-time payment, own forever

✂️ Write Once. Share Everywhere.

Write your meeting notes in Znote — fast, distraction-free, no lag. One click to copy, then paste directly into your team tools with perfect formatting preserved.

Stop wrestling with slow, clunky online editors.
Znote generates beautiful ✨, ready-to-share reports in seconds.

→ Meeting minutes ready to paste in Teams or Confluence
→ Formatted tickets directly into Jira
→ Clean emails straight into Gmail or Outlook
→ Works with any rich-text field, anywhere

Microsoft Teams Confluence Jira Gmail Outlook Slack Notion

Copy meeting notes from Znote and paste in Gmail with rich formatting

Meeting notes copied from Znote, pasted into Gmail — formatting intact.

Anthony
creator of Znote

"I have a note that queries my database. Another that tests my API. One that rewrites my emails. They're just Markdown files, and they run."

I write the tool once, it lives in a file, and I run it whenever I need it. I type fast and messy, AI cleans it up, and I paste wherever I need it. That's literally it.

✓ Meetings & notes — I type messy, AI rewrites it clean in one click
✓ Passwords & secret keys — stored locally, never in the cloud
✓ Mini-tools — DB explorer, API tester, email converter, all in a note
✓ Reusable templates — ready to copy-paste across all my projects
✓ Zero subscriptions — replaced tools I was paying for and barely using

Write in Znote. Copy-paste anywhere. It just works.

What Our Users Say

Trusted by over 2,000 users daily

Absolutely brilliant, I love it. I've been searching for a solution like this where I can store my code snippets or brainstorm. Keep up the great work!

Monae

😊 Great and simple product which can actually boost one’s productivity.

Fin

Great job on the launch of Znote! It's an incredible product that allows users to learn and prototype their ideas faster. The AI integration is fantastic and the JavaScript and Markdown support is top-notch. Keep up the great work

Ali

I've been using Znote AI as my go-to JavaScript playground app for the past few weeks, and I have to say, it's been a lifesaver.
The app's integration with Markdown makes it incredibly easy to document and organize my code snippets, and the ability to run code directly in the app is a huge time-saver.
The platform is user-friendly and has a clean interface, which makes it easy to navigate. It made writing and experimenting with code much more efficient.
A great way to keep track of my different projects and code snippets.

Sanjeet

Open zNote. Dump your idea. 'Play with it'. (literally)
The simplicity of how zNote integrates into my workflow encourages me to try new things more often. In comparison, even 'traditional' online playgrounds appear to be time consuming and 'complicated'.
That is the main reason, zNote is about to become my GoTo braindump to catch simple ideas as well as to collect notes.

nl8

The best “Jupyter-like” notebooks for JS

mrcbns

Really, can't work without it! It's my main tool for working.

So Happy to discovered Znote! Love your minset and your reactivity!

Thanks for all your support 🙏 I'm using it for my daily work and having the voice to add things in Roadmap is really helpful.

Executable Note Recipes

Start With a Working Note

Each recipe is a ready-to-run executable note. Open it, connect your credentials, and it works. No setup, no separate tool.

📧 Automate your Gmail replies with AI — set it up in 5 minutes and never leave your notes to answer emails again.

🗄️ Query your SQL database directly from Znote — get results inline, no context switching, no extra tool.

🔌 Test your HTTP endpoints and write the docs — all in one note. Postman is officially optional.

🍳 Explore all recipes

Download Znote

Free to use for writing — no account required.
Pro license unlocks AI, code execution, meeting transcription & more.

Windows (x64/arm64)

Mac (Intel) Mac (Silicon)

Linux (x64) Linux (arm64)

❓ Quick Questions

Is Znote free?

Yes. The core app is free. The Pro license (one-time, 14.90€) unlocks AI, code execution, meeting transcription, and themes.

How is it different from Obsidian or Notion?

Znote runs code directly in your notes. No plugins, no cloud, no subscription. Write a script, hit run, see the output inline.

Do I need an API key to use AI?

No. You can bring your own key (OpenAI, Claude, Ollama…) or use Znote's built-in AI. Both work out of the box with the Pro license.

SEE ALL FAQ