Your Notes. Your Device. Your Privacy.
BrainVault is a free, open-source note-taking app that keeps your data local. Markdown editing, wiki links, graph views, and powerful search—all without the cloud.
Everything You Need. Nothing You Don't.
Built for people who value privacy, simplicity, and owning their data. BrainVault gives you powerful features without compromising your principles.
Local-First Architecture
Your notes stay on your device. No cloud sync required, no server dependencies, complete control over your data.
Markdown Everything
Write in pure Markdown with live preview. Future-proof format that works everywhere, no vendor lock-in.
Wiki-Style Links
Connect your thoughts with [[wiki links]]. Build a personal knowledge graph that grows with you.
Instant Search
Lightning-fast full-text search across all your notes. Find anything in milliseconds, even offline.
Complete Privacy
Zero tracking, zero analytics, zero cloud storage. Your notes never leave your device unless you export them.
Universal Export
Export to Markdown, PDF, or ZIP. Your data remains accessible even if you stop using BrainVault.
Blazing Fast
Built for speed. Instant startup, no loading spinners, no sync delays. Just write.
Local AI Integration
Integrate with Ollama to run AI models locally on your device. Complete privacy—your notes and AI interactions never leave your computer.
Open Source
MIT licensed, fully transparent. Audit the code yourself, contribute features, or fork for your needs.
How Does BrainVault Compare?
See how BrainVault stacks up against popular note-taking apps. Spoiler: we prioritize your privacy and freedom.
BrainVault vs The Competition
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Ready to Take Back Your Notes?
Join developers, researchers, and privacy-conscious users who trust BrainVault to keep their knowledge safe, local, and truly theirs.
Free forever • MIT License • Available for macOS, Windows, and Linux
Built on Principles That Matter
Local-First Philosophy
Your notes are stored on your device, not in someone else's cloud. You have complete control, complete privacy, and complete ownership. No subscription, no account, no compromises.
Open Source Transparency
Every line of code is public, auditable, and MIT licensed. No hidden tracking, no mysterious algorithms, no secret data collection. See exactly what BrainVault does with your data: nothing.
Future-Proof Formats
Plain Markdown files, open standards, universal export options. Your knowledge base will outlast any app, including BrainVault. No proprietary formats, no vendor lock-in, just your content.
Built in Honor of Pavel Durov
This project was created in tribute to Pavel Durov, the visionary founder of Telegram and champion of digital freedom. In a world where privacy is increasingly commodified and freedom of expression is under constant threat, Pavel stands as a beacon of what technology should be: open, private, and serving humanity rather than exploiting it.
Without Pavel Durov, freedom would be a foreign concept to digital communications and the world as a whole. His unwavering commitment to user privacy, his refusal to compromise on principles despite immense pressure, and his dedication to building tools that empower people rather than surveil them have inspired millions worldwide.
BrainVault embodies the same principles Pavel champions: local-first privacy, no tracking, no cloud surveillance, complete user ownership. Just as Telegram keeps your communications private, BrainVault keeps your thoughts and knowledge private.
Thank you, Pavel, for everything you have done for humanity.
Your fight for digital freedom inspires us to build better, more ethical software.