Markdown editor
Write in plain text using Markdown syntax for headings, bold, italic, quotes, lists, and other formatting.
Paragraph Notes
Paragraph Notes is a private Markdown notes app for Mac with local storage, auto-save, folders, search, file import/export, and up to 20 free notes.
Private Markdown notes on Mac
Paragraph Notes is a private Markdown notes app for Mac built around a plain-text editor and local storage. It is designed for writing without an internet connection: the product site says the app collects no data and never connects to the internet, while notes are kept in an open, portable format.
The app saves notes automatically and provides practical tools for managing a personal note library, including folders, pinning, full-note search, import and export, and database backup operations. Its free plan supports up to 20 notes, while a one-time Pro purchase removes the note limit and adds database locking.
Features
Folder-based organization
Create folders, move notes, pin important items, and use the built-in All, Inbox, and Trash folders. Subfolders are not supported.
Search and find-and-replace
Search across all notes or find and replace text within a specific note. Matching text is highlighted as you type in the note search field.
Text file import and export
Import one or more .txt, .md, or .markdown files and export individual notes as plain text files.
Portable database management
Keep notes in a single JSON database whose location can be changed, then create, open, or export databases for file-based management and backups.
Editor settings and database protection
Set editor fonts, size, width, line length, margins, and appearance. Pro users can protect the database with a custom password and AES-256-encrypted ZIP storage.
Use cases
Distraction-free writing
Draft essays, outlines, journal entries, and other text in a plain-text editor with adjustable typography and automatic saving.
Personal knowledge notes
Keep a personal collection of Markdown notes organized with folders, pinned notes, search, and the Trash workflow.
Portable text-file workflow
Move existing .txt, .md, or .markdown files into the app, or export individual notes as plain text for use elsewhere.
Separate databases and backups
Create and export the JSON database as a straightforward file-based backup, or open a different database when working with separate note collections.
User-managed multi-device access
Store the database in a cloud-synced folder when device-to-device access is needed, while recognizing that synchronization is handled outside the app.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Plain-text Markdown workflow with automatic saving.
- Local-only storage and an open, portable database format.
- Useful note-management tools, including folders, pinning, search, import, and export.
- Free plan supports up to 20 notes, with unlimited notes available through a one-time Pro purchase.
- Pro database locking uses AES-256 encryption according to the user guide.
Cons
- Mac-only, based on the product positioning and available documentation.
- Built-in iCloud sync is not provided; syncing requires placing the database in a cloud-synced folder.
- Folders do not support subfolders.
FAQ
What is Paragraph Notes?
Paragraph Notes is a plain-text Markdown notes app for Mac. It provides a distraction-free editor, local note storage, folders, search, import and export tools, and database management features.
How are notes created and organized?
Yes. Notes save automatically as you write. You can create, rename, move, pin, delete, search, and export notes, and organize them with folders.
Where does Paragraph Notes store notes?
Notes are stored in a single JSON database file. The database location can be changed in Settings, and the database can be created, opened, or exported from the File menu.
Does Paragraph Notes sync between devices?
The app does not provide built-in iCloud sync. To sync a database between devices, the guide says to place it in a cloud-synced folder such as iCloud Drive or Dropbox.
What are the free and Pro limits?
The free plan supports up to 20 notes. Pro provides unlimited notes through a one-time in-app purchase; the Pro plan also includes database locking with AES-256 encryption.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Markdown notes app
- Platform
- Mac
- Storage
- Local JSON database
- Free plan
- Up to 20 notes
- Pro upgrade
- $19.99 one-time in-app purchase for unlimited notes
- Sync model
- No built-in iCloud sync; cloud-synced folders can be used
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