Blinko is changing the game. This open-source, self-hosted note app combines AI-powered search, Markdown simplicity, and a beautiful UI—ensuring your ideas are always at your fingertips, and always under your control.
Website: https://blinko.space/en
Why Choose Blinko?
In a landscape dominated by closed, cloud-based note apps, Blinko stands out with a fundamentally different approach:
- AI-Enhanced Search
Blinko uses advanced Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology to let you search your notes in natural language—find what you need, even if you don’t remember the exact words. - Total Data Ownership
All your notes and data are stored securely in your self-hosted environment. No third-party cloud, no data mining, no privacy worries. - Lightning-Fast, Markdown-First
Capture ideas instantly as plain text or Markdown, format and share with ease, and enjoy a distraction-free, beautiful UI. - Multi-Platform, Native Performance
Built with Tauri, Blinko runs natively on macOS, Windows, Linux, and Android—delivering robust performance and a consistent experience everywhere. - Open Collaboration
100% open-source and transparent, Blinko welcomes community contributions and continuous improvement. - Instant Recording
Quickly jot down and organize inspirations, ensuring no idea is ever lost.
Spotlight on Key Features
1. AI-Powered Note Retrieval
• Natural language search with RAG technology
• Instantly find notes, even with vague queries
• AI-driven suggestions for related content
2. Markdown & Plain Text Support
• Write and format notes in Markdown
• Easy sharing and export
• Clean, distraction-free editing experience
3. Multi-Platform & Lightweight
• Native apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, and Android
• Fast, efficient, and low on resources
• PWA support for browser-based access
4. Data Privacy & Self-Hosting
• All data stored locally or on your own server
• No forced cloud sync or external dependencies
• GDPR-friendly and privacy-first by design
5. Open Collaboration & Community
• Transparent codebase, open to contributions
• Frequent updates and new features
• Active user community and support

Blinko vs. Closed-Source Alternatives
How does Blinko compare to the big names in note-taking? Here’s a side-by-side look:
Feature | Blinko | Notion | Evernote | Obsidian (Sync) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pricing | Free, open-source | $8-$15/mo | $8-$15/mo | $8/mo (Sync) |
Data Control | 100% self-hosted | Cloud-only | Cloud-only | Local or paid sync |
Source Code | ✅ MIT License | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed | ✅ (core), ❌ (Sync) |
AI Search | ✅ RAG-powered | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Plugin only |
Markdown Support | ✅ Full | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Full |
Offline Access | ✅ Always | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ |
Multi-Platform | ✅ Native + PWA | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Customization | ✅ Open source | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Plugins |
Community | 3.8k+ stars | Closed | Closed | 50k+ stars |
Beyond the Feature Matrix
- No Vendor Lock-In: Your notes are always accessible, exportable, and portable—no proprietary formats or forced subscriptions.
- No Data Mining: Unlike cloud-based tools, Blinko never scans your notes for advertising or analytics.
- No Feature Gating: All features are available to every user, with no upsells or premium tiers.
- No Subscription Fatigue: Use Blinko for free, forever, with no hidden costs.
Getting Started in Minutes
Blinko is designed for effortless deployment and use:
🐳 Docker (Recommended)
curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/blinko-space/blinko/main/install.sh | bash
💻 Native Installation
- Download the latest release for your OS from GitHub Releases
- Run the app and start capturing ideas instantly
🌐 Try the Live Demo
Experience Blinko instantly at blinko.space/en
Demo login: username: blinko
password: blinko
Real-World Success Stories
"I'm in the middle of trying to find a really great self-hosted notes app and nothing was doing it for me until I came across this project. Really impressed by how polished it is already."
— shrewdlove, Blinko user
"Blinko has excellent UI design, and the interaction details are well polished. I'm gradually replacing other note products."
— Wrills, Community Member
Practical Applications
Personal Knowledge Base
Build your own second brain, with AI-powered search and full privacy.
Research & Writing
Capture fleeting ideas, organize research, and draft content with Markdown.
Team Collaboration
Share notes and inspiration with colleagues, all while keeping data in-house.
Mobile Inspiration Capture
Jot down ideas on the go with native Android support and PWA installation.
Join the Blinko Community
With over 3,800 GitHub stars and a growing contributor base, Blinko is rapidly evolving:
- Contribute Code: Help enhance features or fix bugs via GitHub
- Suggest Features: Share your ideas on GitHub Issues or Discussions
- Support Development: Sponsor the project or spread the word
Final Thoughts
Note-taking should empower, not constrain. Blinko represents a new era of knowledge capture—open, AI-powered, and truly yours. Whether you’re a student, researcher, creative, or privacy advocate, Blinko offers a compelling alternative to closed, subscription-based platforms.
Ready to reclaim your ideas? Explore blinko.space/en or dive into the code on GitHub.