Download Boost Note – free developer‑friendly note & project management tool
Overview
Boost Note, created by BoostIO, positions itself as a developer‑centric management platform that blends robust note‑taking with lightweight project collaboration. Unlike generic note apps, Boost Note understands the workflow of software teams: it supports markdown, code snippets, and rich text formatting while keeping the interface clean enough for individual developers to use on a daily basis. The free edition grants unlimited local documents for a single user, making it an attractive option for freelancers who prefer file‑system storage. For teams, the cloud tier introduces shared workspaces, limited to ten documents per team and 100 MB per member, which is sufficient for small sprint planning or quick design reviews. Two paid subscriptions – Standard and Pro – lift those caps, delivering 1 GB or 10 GB per user, unlimited documents, and extended revision history. Integration is a standout feature: Boost Note plugs directly into GitHub, Jira, Trello, Slack, Zoom, Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, Miro, and dozens of other services, allowing developers to keep code discussions, tickets, and meeting notes in one place. The app runs on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS, ensuring a consistent experience whether you’re at a desk or on the go. Security is handled through end‑to‑end encryption for cloud data, and the open‑source nature of the core client gives teams confidence they can audit the code if needed. In short, Boost Note offers a free, secure, and highly integrable workspace that scales from solo coding sessions to multi‑team product development.
Key Features
- Markdown‑first editor with live preview, syntax highlighting for over 200 programming languages, and customizable themes.
- Deep integrations with GitHub, GitLab, Jira, Trello, Slack, Zoom, Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, Miro, and more via native plugins and webhooks.
- Hybrid storage model – choose between local file‑system storage for offline work or cloud sync for collaborative teams.
- Unlimited notebooks & folders for personal use; paid plans remove limits on team notebooks and document count.
- Version history – automatic snapshots keep a seven‑day revision trail in the Standard plan and an unlimited trail in Pro.
- Guest access in the Pro tier, enabling external consultants or clients to view or comment on specific notes without a full account.
- Cross‑platform support for macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS, with seamless syncing across devices.
- End‑to‑end encryption for cloud data, ensuring that only authorized team members can read the content.
- Customizable shortcuts and command palette, allowing power users to navigate and edit notes faster than ever.
- Export options – markdown, PDF, HTML, and plain text exports make it easy to archive or share work outside the app.
Installation, Usage & Compatibility
Getting started with Boost Note is straightforward. Visit the official website, select the appropriate installer for your operating system, and click “Download”. Windows users receive an .exe file, macOS users get a .dmg, and Linux users can choose a Snap, AppImage, or Debian package. Mobile users simply search “Boost Note” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. After the installer finishes, launch the app and create a free account using an email address or single‑sign‑on via Google or GitHub. For local‑only work, you can skip the sign‑up step and start a new notebook directly on your device.
Once inside, the workspace is divided into three panels: a sidebar for notebooks, a document list, and the main editor. To create a new note, click the “+” button, choose the markdown template, and begin typing. Code blocks are automatically highlighted, and you can embed images or GIFs by dragging them into the editor. The built‑in search uses fuzzy matching, letting you locate snippets across all notebooks in seconds.
Boost Note supports the following platforms:
- macOS 10.13+ (Intel & Apple Silicon)
- Windows 10 and later (x64)
- Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian) via Snap/AppImage
- Android 6.0+ (ARM & x86)
- iOS 13+ (iPhone & iPad)
For teams, enable cloud sync by navigating to Settings → “Workspace”. Connect your GitHub or GitLab account to pull repositories directly into a notebook, or link your Slack workspace to receive real‑time notifications when a note is updated. The integration panel also lets you map Boost Note channels to Jira tickets, so any comment added in Boost Note automatically updates the corresponding issue. After configuring integrations, invite teammates via email; they will receive an invitation link that grants immediate access to shared notebooks. The app’s auto‑update mechanism checks for new releases weekly and prompts you to install minor patches without interrupting your workflow.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free tier provides unlimited local notes, perfect for solo developers.
- Markdown‑first editor with extensive language support and live preview.
- Robust integrations with the most popular developer tools.
- Cross‑platform availability ensures a consistent experience on desktop and mobile.
- End‑to‑end encryption protects sensitive code snippets and design docs.
- Guest access in Pro plan enables easy collaboration with external stakeholders.
- Customizable shortcuts and command palette boost productivity for power users.
Cons
- Cloud free tier limits teams to 10 documents and 100 MB storage per member.
- Revision history is limited to seven days on the Standard plan.
- Some advanced integrations (e.g., deeper Jira automation) require the Pro subscription.
- No built‑in kanban board; teams must rely on external tools like Trello for visual task management.
- Desktop app size is relatively large (~150 MB) due to bundled runtimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boost Note really free for individual developers?
Yes. The free edition lets a single user store unlimited local documents with no storage cap, making it ideal for freelancers or hobbyists who work offline.
Can I sync my notes across multiple devices?
Sync is available through the cloud workspace. Once you enable cloud sync and log in on each device, Boost Note automatically keeps notebooks in sync, respecting the storage limits of your chosen plan.
How does Boost Note handle code security?
All cloud data is encrypted end‑to‑end. For local storage, notes are saved as plain markdown files on your device, giving you full control over encryption via your OS or third‑party tools.
What is the difference between the Standard and Pro plans?
Standard offers 1 GB per user, unlimited documents, and a seven‑day revision history. Pro increases storage to 10 GB per user, provides unlimited revision history, and adds guest‑access capabilities for external collaborators.
Can Boost Note be self‑hosted?
The core desktop client is open source, but the cloud sync service is hosted by BoostIO. Organizations that require full control can use the local‑only mode and integrate with their own version‑control systems, though a fully self‑hosted cloud option is not currently offered.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Boost Note fills a niche that many generic note‑taking apps overlook: the developer’s need for a markdown‑centric, code‑aware, and highly integrable workspace. Its free tier is generous enough for solo work, while the Standard and Pro subscriptions scale gracefully for growing teams that demand more storage, unlimited documents, and advanced collaboration features. With seamless connections to GitHub, Jira, Slack, and other staples of modern software development, Boost Note reduces context‑switching and keeps knowledge close to the code it describes. If you’re looking for a secure, cross‑platform solution that respects both the simplicity of plain text and the complexity of enterprise workflows, give Boost Note a try today. Download the installer for your OS, create a free account, and explore the rich feature set—upgrade to Standard or Pro only when your team outgrows the free limits.