SimpleBrain: Free Early Access

Free early access. SimpleBrain is a notes app that doesn't make you configure it. Type a thought, file it with one click, link your notes together and see how they connect. No account, no plugins, no query language.

What you get

• Capture bar and Inbox. Type anything at the top and press Enter. One click files it as a Task, an Event or a Note.
• Linked notes and a live graph. Write [[Note Name]] to link notes. The graph shows the open note and what connects to it. Click a dot to jump there.
• Tasks with due dates. Any line like t call the bank due:10-01-2026 shows up under Overdue, Today or Upcoming. Tick it when it's done.
• Shorthand. Start a line with i to send it to the Inbox, or c 10-05-2026 2pm dentist to put it on the Calendar.
• Calendar. Local events, plus your own calendar alongside them: an .ics or .csv file, an iCal link, or two-way CalDAV.
• Sync between your devices. A pairing code, no account and no server to run. If the same note changes on two devices, neither version is lost.
• Table view and Answers. See every note in a table you can filter by tag or title, and collect answers to a question across notes with answer::.
• Book recommendations. Optional. It asks before using the network and sends only your keywords to Open Library, never your notes.
• Light, dark or system theme.

Your notes stay yours

Notes are plain Markdown files in a folder you choose, a USB drive included. There is no account and no cloud. Deleted notes go to a trash folder, never straight to oblivion.

Get started in a minute

1. Add it to your cart and check out. It's free, so there's no payment. Use an email you can open: the download link is sent there.
2. Open the email and download the version for your computer: Windows, Mac or Linux. The install steps are in the questions below.
3. Open it and start typing. The first note, Home, explains how everything fits together.
4. Your notes live in Documents/SimpleBrain unless you pick another folder.

About early access

SimpleBrain is in early access, so it is free while we finish it. Keep the box ticked at checkout and we'll email you updates and tips for getting started.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an account?
No. SimpleBrain has no account and no sign-in.

Where are my notes stored?
As plain Markdown files in a folder on your computer, Documents/SimpleBrain by default. You can pick any folder, a USB drive included, and everything moves with it.

Can I use it on more than one device?
Yes. Open Sync… to see a pairing code and enter it on your other device. There is no account and no server to run. Anyone who has your code can join your notes, so keep it to yourself.

Does it send my notes anywhere?
Your notes stay in your folder. The features that use the network are optional: syncing your own devices, book recommendations (it asks first and sends only keywords), and publishing a note to a website you connect.

Can I see my calendar in it?
Yes. Show an .ics or .csv file or an iCal link next to your own events, or connect a CalDAV calendar to keep both in step.

What happens if I delete a note?
It goes to a .trash folder inside your notes folder, not straight to oblivion.

Is it really free?
SimpleBrain is free while it is in early access.

How do I install it on my computer? Download the version for your system from the email, then follow the steps below. Windows and Mac may show a warning the first time, because we haven't paid for the certificates that make it go away.

• Windows: Run SimpleBrain-0.2.0-windows-setup.exe. If Windows says "Windows protected your PC", click More info, then Run anyway. It installs just for you, with no administrator password, and you will find SimpleBrain in the Start menu.
• Mac (Apple silicon, M1 or newer): Open the .dmg file and drag SimpleBrain into Applications. The first time, macOS will say it can't verify the app. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll down and click Open Anyway next to SimpleBrain. Macs with an Intel chip are not supported yet.
• Linux: Download the .AppImage file, right-click it, open Properties > Permissions and allow executing it as a program (or run chmod +x on it), then double-click it.

I have a question that isn't here.

Use the Contact page, or reply to any of our emails.