Turtl

Turtl is a secure collaborative notebook for organizing bookmarks, passwords, files, and shopping lists. It supports text, bookmark, password, image, and document notes, with full-text search, tag filtering, Markdown, and TeX math rendering. Users can group notes into Spaces, choose collaborators, and set permissions from read-only access to full ownership. Turtl works offline and is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, with Chrome and Firefox bookmarking extensions and Android sharing. Turtl says it encrypts data in the app before it leaves the device, using keys derived from the user's email and password. Shared content uses a separate random key for each object, so recipients can unlock only the item shared with them. Email invitations can pose a risk if intercepted without the shared secret being communicated separately. Users can import or export their full profile for backup or moving between servers, and can install the open-source server to host their own data. The free plan includes 3 collaborators per Space and 50MB storage; Premium is $3/mo, and Business is $8/mo.

Turtl combines varied notes, offline access, and permission-based sharing, with options to self-host or move a profile. Consider the invitation caveat when sharing and check the plan limits against your storage and collaboration needs.

Turtl suits people who want an offline notebook for mixed note types and shared Spaces with configurable permissions. Its self-hosted server option may suit users who want to host their own data.

Overview

Turtl is an offline-capable notebook for keeping notes, bookmarks, passwords, images and files together. It suits people who want one place for personal reference material and selectively shared collections, especially if self-hosting matters to them. Its flexible note types and permission controls are appealing, but storage limits and the care required when inviting collaborators shape whether it fits.

Key features

Notes, search and writing

Turtl handles both original writing and saved material: users can make text, bookmark, password, image and file or document notes. Full-text search and tag filtering help keep a growing collection usable, while Markdown and TeX rendering serve users who need formatted prose or mathematical notation. This range makes Turtl a practical home for mixed personal reference material; readers whose work depends on integrations beyond Chrome and Firefox bookmarking extensions or Android sharing should look elsewhere.

Spaces and sharing

Spaces group notes for sharing with chosen collaborators, with permissions ranging from read-only to full ownership. Turtl uses a separate random key for each shared object, limiting recipients to the material shared with them. There is an important qualification: Turtl warns that an email invitation without a separately communicated shared secret can expose a Space if the invitation is intercepted. That makes the sharing controls useful, but users should take care with how they deliver invitations.

Privacy, backup and hosting

Turtl says it encrypts data in the app before it leaves the device, using keys derived from the user's email and password. Users can export or import a full profile for backup or migration between servers, and the open-source server can be installed for self-hosting. These options give privacy-conscious users more control over storage and portability, though self-hosting requires taking responsibility for their own server. Turtl says it likely is not HIPAA compliant, citing a lack of access logs, fine-grained access controls and physical access safeguards; it is not a suitable choice for workflows that require HIPAA compliance.

Pricing

Turtl has a free Basic plan with 3 collaborators per Space and 50MB of storage. That is a way to start without a subscription, but the small cap makes it a poor fit for a substantial collection of files or documents.

Premium costs $3 a month, billed $3/mo, and includes 10GB of note data, up to 10 collaborators per Space and community support. It is the more practical choice for individuals or small groups who need room beyond Basic. Business costs $8 a month, billed $8/mo, and raises the allowance to 50GB and 50 collaborators per Space, with dedicated support. It fits larger teams that need more shared capacity and direct support.

Custom plans use custom pricing; the terms depend on contacting Turtl. Basic and Premium include community support, while Business includes dedicated support. A 30-day trial is available. Check storage and collaborator needs against the plan before committing.

Platforms

Turtl supports Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, as well as Chrome and Firefox bookmarking extensions. It also offers offline access and Android sharing, which help users capture or consult material away from a desktop connection.

Who it's for

Turtl is best suited to individuals and teams who want a mixed-format notebook with selective sharing, offline use and the option to host their own data. It is less suitable for organizations needing HIPAA compliance, or for users whose collaboration depends on integrations beyond its bookmarking extensions and Android sharing.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A broad set of note types, full-text search and tag filtering let users keep varied reference material together.
• Pros: Space-level collaborator choices and permissions, plus separate keys for shared objects, support selective sharing.
• Pros: Offline access, profile import and export, and an open-source self-hosted server give users flexibility over access and data location.
• Cons: Basic's 50MB storage cap is restrictive for users storing many attachments.
• Cons: Email invitations can expose a shared Space if intercepted unless the shared secret is communicated separately.
• Cons: Turtl likely does not meet HIPAA requirements, limiting its use for regulated health information.

Alternatives

For a broader category comparison, browse Secure Notes Apps or Note-taking apps. Turtl's defining fit is a private, mixed-format notebook with offline access and self-hosting; the right alternative depends on the workflow you need instead.

Abmatic AI, AdRoll, Ploy, Warmly, FlashGTM, Hushly, Folloze and Propensity are listed as account-based marketing alternatives; choose among them when account-focused marketing is the need rather than a personal or team notebook.

Verdict

Choose Turtl if you want a versatile notebook for mixed notes and files, with offline access, permission-based sharing and the option to self-host. Its strongest advantages are flexibility and control; look elsewhere if the Basic cap is too tight, your sharing process cannot protect invitations, or your work requires HIPAA compliance.