Dash

Dash is a notes app for Mac and iPhone, with a web PWA for Android and other supported platforms. Notes are stored on the device and work offline unless sync is enabled. Locked notes use AES-256-GCM encryption, with keys derived using PBKDF2-SHA256 at 600,000 iterations. App locking supports a master password, Touch ID or Face ID, and configurable auto-lock timers. A duress password can open decoy notes while real notes remain encrypted, and notes can be set to delete after one hour, one day, one week or one month. Its block editor includes wiki-style links, folders and tags. Local AI connects to Ollama, LM Studio, LocalAI, Jan and other OpenAI-compatible servers running on localhost; non-local AI endpoints are rejected. Pages and folders export as Markdown, DOCX or PDF, and encrypted .dashpack backups are supported. Dash is open source under the MIT license. The web PWA and iPhone options are free. Dash for Mac is listed at $14.99 a month (billed Lifetime access; no subscription required); sync costs $4.99 a month or $47.99 a year, each with a 7-day free trial.

Dash combines offline note storage, app locking and local AI connections, with exports and optional encrypted sync. Check the platform arrangement and listed plan terms to see whether it fits your devices and workflow.

Dash suits people who want offline notes with local storage and device-level locking, or who need to export notes in several formats. It also fits users who want to connect local AI services or sync notes with end-to-end encryption.

Overview

Dash is an open-source notes app focused on offline storage, private writing and AI that runs through local servers. It is best suited to people working on Mac or iPhone who want device-held notes and detailed privacy controls. The trade-off is narrow native-platform support, with encrypted cross-device sync sold separately.

Key features

Dash keeps notes on-device and works offline unless sync is enabled, making it a sensible fit for private notes or work that needs to continue without a connection. Locked notes use AES-256-GCM, with keys derived through PBKDF2-SHA256 at 600,000 iterations. App locking supports a master password, Touch ID or Face ID, plus 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. These controls offer useful safeguards for sensitive writing, though they do not replace securing the device itself.

The block editor combines folders and tags with wiki-style links, giving linked notes a clear structure. Local AI works with Ollama, LM Studio, LocalAI, Jan and other OpenAI-compatible servers running on localhost. Dash rejects non-local AI endpoints, so note data cannot leave the machine through this feature. That boundary suits users with local model setups, but rules out hosted AI services.

Pages and folders export to Markdown, DOCX and PDF, and encrypted .dashpack backups add a portable backup option. Dash Sync encrypts notes on the device before sending them to a relay that stores only ciphertext. Sharing is supported, but real-time collaboration is not, so Dash is better suited to personal notes than simultaneous team editing.

Pricing

The free options cover basic use without an account: Dash for iPhone is free, with no purchase, trial or account, while Dash Web PWA is free and works in any browser without installation. The PWA works offline, but Android access is through this web app rather than a shipped native Android app.

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-by-default use. This is the paid choice for Mac users who want the native app without an ongoing subscription; its price wording pairs a monthly amount with lifetime access, so check that arrangement before buying.

Sync is the recurring-cost option. 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 describes it as two months free versus monthly. That makes yearly billing cheaper over a year, while monthly is the more flexible way to try paid sync. Neither sync plan changes Dash’s offline-first design; sync is for users who need notes across devices.

Platforms

Dash supports web, macOS, iOS and Android via web PWA. Windows and Linux apps are not shipped, so users who need native clients on those systems should choose another notes app. Open-source software under the MIT license is a plus for users who value inspectable code, but it does not broaden the platform lineup.

Who it's for

Choose Dash if you primarily use Mac or iPhone, want notes stored locally by default, and value app locking, timed deletion or local-only AI. It also suits people who need offline use and export formats that can move notes beyond the app. Look elsewhere if you need native Windows or Linux apps, hosted AI, or real-time collaboration.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Offline-first local storage and encrypted sync give privacy-minded users a choice between keeping notes on one device and syncing them.
• Pro: Duress access, auto-lock controls and timed deletion offer more specific protections for sensitive notes than basic app locking alone.
• Pro: Markdown, DOCX and PDF exports, plus encrypted .dashpack backups, make it easier to keep copies outside Dash.
• Con: Android access is through a web PWA, and no Windows or Linux app is shipped, limiting native cross-platform workflows.
• Con: Sync costs extra, and Dash has no real-time collaboration for people editing shared notes together.
• Con: The AI feature accepts local servers only, excluding users who rely on hosted AI services.

Alternatives

Notesnook is a better fit for readers who need native apps across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows; its free plan includes 50 MB storage per month and a 10 MB maximum.

Cryptee is worth considering if Windows and Linux support matter alongside mobile and web access; it offers a 100 MB free plan, and its maker says its software and cryptography are open source and can be reviewed independently.

NoteSR is an Android-only free option with no cloud and no account.

NULVEX is another free Android option.

SecNotes is an Android and web alternative with ads and in-app purchases on its free app, plus a premium upgrade subscription.

SilentNotes is a free, open-source choice for Android and Windows.

Turtl is an alternative for users who want collaborator support, with a Basic plan listing 3 collaborators per Space and 50MB storage.

Cipher Notes is a free, MIT-licensed Android app whose source is publicly auditable.

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

Verdict

Dash is a strong choice for Mac and iPhone users who want offline notes, detailed privacy controls and local AI without sending note data to an AI provider. Its main draw is the combination of on-device storage and thoughtful protections; its main reason to look elsewhere is limited native platform coverage, especially for Windows and Linux users. Choose it for private personal notes and optional encrypted sync, not for broad desktop support or live team editing.