Inkdrop
Markdown notes for developers, encrypted end to end.
About
Inkdrop is a Markdown note-taking app built specifically for developers by solo founder Takuya Matsuyama (Japan), active since 2016. Notes are written in GitHub-flavored Markdown with code syntax highlighting, organized into nested notebooks with tags and custom statuses, and the editor supports Vim and Emacs keybindings for keyboard-driven work. Sync across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android is end-to-end encrypted — the official security documentation states notes, notebooks, tags, and attachments are encrypted with AES-256-GCM on your device before reaching the server, with optional TOTP two-factor authentication — and notes remain readable and editable offline.
It is a paid-only product with no free tier beyond a limited trial: roughly $4.16/month (about $49.90/year). Plugins extend functionality (Mermaid diagrams, math, and more), and note versioning lets you roll back edits. Honest tradeoffs: there is no web app, real-time collaboration is minimal, advanced features depend on third-party plugins of varying maintenance, and as a one-person commercial product its longevity depends on a single developer — though it has shipped continuously for a decade.
What it can do
- GitHub-flavored Markdown with code syntax highlighting
- End-to-end encrypted sync (AES-256-GCM) across devices
- Offline access with local storage
- Nested notebooks, tags, and customizable note statuses
- Vim and Emacs keybindings
- Plugin system (Mermaid diagrams, math typesetting, themes)
- Note versioning and revision history
- Two-factor authentication (TOTP)
- Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android (no web app)
Setup
Download the app for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android from inkdrop.app and start the trial. Create an account to enable encrypted sync across devices. Organize with notebooks, tags, and statuses; install plugins from the in-app browser for diagrams, math, and themes. A paid subscription is required to continue after the trial.
Prerequisites
A desktop or mobile device; a paid subscription (~$4.16/mo) after the trial.
Use cases
Works with
Trust score — 7/10
Scored 7/10 (metrics tier, metrics-v1). Evidence: the official security documentation confirms AES-256-GCM end-to-end encryption of notes, notebooks, tags, and attachments plus TOTP 2FA; multiple independent listings confirm the ~$4.16/mo paid-only pricing, developer-focused Markdown editing, plugin system, and offline access; the product has shipped since 2016. Strengths: strong documented encryption posture, focused developer UX, decade-long track record. Docked for: (1) single-developer commercial product — longevity rests on one person; (2) no free tier beyond a limited trial and no web app; (3) closed source with plugin-dependent advanced features. License: proprietary (paid).
How the trust score is built
Full methodology →- Adoption · stars/downloads, log-scaled vs peers
- 6.0/10
- Maintenance · recency, releases, issue load
- 8.0/10
- Openness · license + docs
- 5.0/10
- Manual review · sanity read + red-flag check
- 8.0/10
- · Proprietary; solo founder Takuya Matsuyama (Japan); shipping since 2016; no GitHub presence
- · AES-256-GCM E2EE sync per official security docs; TOTP 2FA; GFM markdown, code highlighting, Vim/Emacs keys, plugins, offline access
- · Paid-only ~$4.16/mo beyond limited trial; no web app; single-developer longevity risk; closed source
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these sources. Where a claim comes from the provider and couldn't be independently verified, the text says so.