Dash

Overview

Dash is an open-source notes app for keeping writing private and available offline. It suits people who mainly use a Mac or iPhone and want notes and AI processing to stay on their own devices. The privacy controls are a strong draw, but broader device sync costs extra and Windows and Linux apps are not yet shipped.

Key features

Notes stay on the device and work offline unless sync is enabled. Locked notes use AES-256-GCM, with keys derived through PBKDF2-SHA256 using 600,000 iterations. A master password, Touch ID or Face ID can lock the app, with configurable auto-lock timers. A duress password opens decoy notes while the real notes remain encrypted, and notes can be set to delete after one hour, one day, one week or one month. Those are meaningful safeguards for sensitive writing, though they do not replace protecting the device itself.

The block editor combines folders and tags with wiki-style links, giving users structure for connected notes without requiring a more elaborate system. Local AI works with Ollama, LM Studio, LocalAI, Jan and other OpenAI-compatible servers running on localhost. Dash rejects non-local endpoints, so note content cannot leave the machine through its AI feature. That is a clear privacy boundary, but rules out hosted AI services.

Pages and folders export as Markdown, DOCX or PDF, and encrypted.dashpack backups provide another way to preserve notes. Dash Sync encrypts notes on the device before sending them; its relay stores only ciphertext. Note sharing is supported, but real-time collaboration is not, so it is a poor fit for people who need to edit notes together live.

Dash is open source under the MIT license, a useful option for readers who value auditable software and permissive licensing.

Pricing

The Web PWA and iPhone plans offer free ongoing use, with no account required. The Web PWA runs in any browser without installation; the iPhone plan requires no purchase or trial. These are the natural starting points for someone who wants to try Dash without paying, but they do not include the native Mac app or paid sync.

Dash for Mac is $14.99 a month, billed Lifetime access; no subscription required. It includes the native macOS app, automatic updates, Touch ID support and offline use by default. This is the option for Mac users who want the native app, but the price wording is unusual: the stated monthly amount sits alongside lifetime access and no subscription.

Dash Sync Monthly costs $4.99 a month, with a 7-day free trial, cross-device sync, end-to-end encryption and cancellation at any time. Dash Sync Yearly costs $47.99 a year, also with a 7-day free trial; the page says this is two months free versus monthly. Either sync plan makes sense for people who need notes across devices, while the yearly term is the stated lower-cost choice over a full year. Sync is a separate purchase from the free offline options.

Platforms

Dash supports the web, macOS, iOS and Android, with Android delivered as a web PWA rather than a native app. Windows and Linux apps are not shipped yet. That makes Dash a better fit for Mac and iPhone users than for households or teams that need native apps across desktop platforms.

Who it's for

Choose Dash if your priority is local-first notes, offline access and specific privacy controls, especially if you already run a compatible local AI server. It is less suitable if you need native Windows or Linux apps, hosted AI, or live collaboration. Android users should also be comfortable using a PWA.

Pros and cons

Pro: Local storage and offline use are the default unless sync is enabled, reducing reliance on a remote service for ordinary note-taking.

Pro: App locking, duress protection and timed deletion give privacy-conscious users several distinct controls for sensitive notes.

Pro: Local AI rejects non-local endpoints, keeping note data on the machine through the AI feature.

Con: Cross-device sync is a separate paid plan, so free users cannot rely on Dash for synced notes.

Con: Windows and Linux apps are not shipped, and Android uses the web PWA.

Con: Note sharing does not extend to real-time collaboration.

Alternatives

If Dash's platform limits are a deal-breaker, Notesnook supports Windows and Linux alongside Mac, iOS, Android and web, with a free plan that includes 50 MB storage per month. Choose Joplin if you want its broader platform support, including Linux, Windows and self-hosting. Cryptee is another freemium option across desktop and mobile platforms, and says its software and cryptography are open source and independently reviewable.

Turtl is worth considering if collaboration matters: its Basic plan allows three collaborators per Space, and Premium is $3 a month for 10GB note storage. PrivacyNotes offers a free plan and publishes its web, desktop and mobile apps and encryption code under the AGPL. Standard Notes includes end-to-end encryption, unlimited device sync, plain text notes and offline access on its free plan. If you want a free, open-source option with no account required to begin, consider Notyra. QOwnNotes is another free option.

Browse Secure Notes Apps or Note-taking apps for more options.

Verdict

Dash is a strong choice for Mac and iPhone users who want offline-first notes, local AI and granular privacy controls. Its main reason to choose it is that notes and AI stay local by default; its main reason to look elsewhere is the combination of paid sync, limited native platform coverage and no real-time collaboration.