📄FSNotes: Blazing-Fast Plain Text Notes for macOS & iOS

By | August 15, 2025
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What is FSNotes?

FSNotes is a modern note manager built exclusively for macOS and iOS. Created and maintained by Ukrainian developer Oleksandr Glushchenko since 2017, it has gained a loyal following among tech-savvy users, developers, and productivity enthusiasts for its minimalist design, blazing performance, and plain-text-first philosophy. Its core principle: Your notes are plain text files (primarily Markdown) stored directly on disk, while FSNotes provides a fast, distraction-free interface to manage and edit them.

Core Identity: A rapid, lightweight, local-first note manager based on plain text files (Markdown), optimized for keyboard navigation and cross-note linking.

Clean two-pane interface with vertical/horizontal layout options

Key Features (Deep Dive)

  1. Markdown & Plain Text as King:

  • Native Support: Markdown is a first-class citizen, with smooth editing and live preview modes.

  • Format Freedom: Edit any plain text file (.md, .txt, .rtf), ensuring future-proof accessibility.

  • Code Highlighting: Built-in support for 170+ programming languages.

  • Tech Enhancements: Integrated Mermaid (flowcharts, diagrams) and MathJax (math formulas).

    1. Speed & Lightweight by Design:

  • Instant Response: Handles 10,000+ notes effortlessly—fast launching, searching, and switching.

  • Resource-Friendly: Minimal memory usage, even during long sessions.

    1. Seamless Sync & Storage:

  • Cloud Sync: Automatically sync via iCloud Drive or Dropbox (Mac/iOS). Notes are standard files.

  • Multi-Folder Support: Monitor and manage multiple folders across your drive.

    1. Efficiency-Focused Workflow:

  • Keyboard-Centric: Inspired by nvALT, with extensive shortcuts. Create, search, and link notes without touching the mouse.

  • Flexible Layout: Unique two-pane view (list + editor) with vertical/horizontal toggling.

  • External Editing: Edit notes in VSCode/Sublime/BBEdit—FSNotes auto-refreshes changes.

    1. Organization & Security:

  • Bidirectional Links: Create connections with [[Double Brackets]] to build a knowledge web.

  • Tagging: Organize notes using #hashtags.

  • Note Pinning: Pin critical notes to the top of the list.

  • Military-Grade Encryption: AES-256 encryption for sensitive notes.

  • Git Versioning: Turn your notes into a repo with full history/diff (requires Git knowledge).

    1. Polished Details:

  • Quick Copy: One-click copy notes as plain text/Markdown.

  • Dark Mode: Fully supports system dark mode.

  • Inline Images: Embed and display images in Markdown.

Download & Setup

  1. macOS:
  • App Store (Recommended): Search “FSNotes.” Auto-updates included.
  • Homebrew (Dev Choice): Run:
brew install --cask fsnotes

  • Manual Install: Get .dmg/.zip from GitHub Releases.

    1. iOS/iPadOS:

  • Free on App Store. Use the same iCloud/Dropbox account as macOS for sync.

Quick Start Guide

  1. Create Note: Cmd + N
  2. Search Notes: Cmd + O (instant title/full-text search).
  3. Link Notes: Type [[ + note title for auto-complete.
  4. Add Tags: Use #tag in note content.
  5. Sync Setup: Choose iCloud/Dropbox folder in iOS/macOS settings.
  6. Master Shortcuts: Check Help → Markdown Help for key combos.

FSNotes vs. Competitors

Feature / App FSNotes Obsidian Bear Apple Notes Logseq
Core Philosophy Speed, plain text, keyboard-first Links/plugins ecosystem Elegant design, tags System integration Block-based outlining
Storage Visible text files Visible text files Proprietary library Proprietary Visible text files
Speed ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Lightning) ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Plugins slow) ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Complex)
Markdown ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Native) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Partial Pro) ⭐☆☆☆☆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Block-oriented)
Multi-Folder ✓ ✓ (Plugins) ✗ ✗ ✓
External Editing ✓ (Realtime) ✓ (Manual refresh) ✗ ✗ ✓ (Manual refresh)
Git Support ✓ (Built-in) ✓ (Manual/plugins) ✗ ✗ ✓ (Manual)
Encryption ✓ (Per-note AES-256) ✓ (Plugins) ✓ (Pro) ✓ (Full app) ✗
Sync iCloud / Dropbox Paid sync / self-hosted Pro subscription iCloud Paid sync / self-hosted
Cost Free (full) Free core + paid sync Free base + Pro sub Free Free core + paid sync
Best For Speed, simplicity, developers Knowledge graphs, plugins Writers, Apple ecosystem Casual users Outliners, task management

Why FSNotes Wins:

  1. Unmatched Speed: Handles massive libraries without lag.
  2. True Plain-Text Freedom: Notes are accessible future-proof files.
  3. Keyboard Efficiency: Optimized for power users.
  4. Zero Bloat: No complex setups or distractions.
  5. Multi-Folder Flexibility: Aggregate existing note collections.
  6. Dev Features: Code highlighting, Mermaid, MathJax, Git.
  7. 100% Free & Open-Source: No subscriptions.

Who Should Use FSNotes?

Ideal for:

  • Speed demons who hate lag.
  • Plain-text/Markdown purists valuing data control.
  • Keyboard warriors minimizing mouse use.
  • Developers needing code/docs tools.
  • Multi-folder organizers with scattered notes.
  • Privacy-focused users leveraging local sync/Git.
  • Minimalists rejecting feature bloat.

Try FSNotes today! It redefines lightweight note-taking with pure Markdown files, lightning speed, and keyboard-centric efficiency.