About SpotNotes.app
SpotNotes is a unique location-based digital notepad designed to help you connect with the world around you. Unlike traditional note-taking apps, SpotNotes allows you to pin your thoughts, reminders, and discoveries to specific coordinates on a map.
Whether you are marking a hidden hiking trail, leaving a review for a local coffee shop, or just jotting down a memory at a specific spot, SpotNotes gives your notes a place in the real world.
Key Features
📍 Location-Based Notes
Create notes that are tied to exact map coordinates. View them in context with the surrounding area.
🔒 Zero-Knowledge Encryption
All private notes are encrypted client-side using AES-GCM-256 and RSA-OAEP before storage. The server operator has zero access to your private thoughts or locations.
🌍 Public & Open Notepads
Publish guides, landmarks, and discoveries publicly. Public notes remain unencrypted so anyone worldwide can discover and explore them.
🤝 Secure E2EE Collaboration
Share private notepads securely with specific users using public-key cryptography, or via link with decryption key fragments.
Don't Trust, Verify — 100% Open Source
True privacy shouldn't be based on marketing claims or blind faith. SpotNotes is built with total transparency: don't trust our word for it — verify the implementation yourself, audit our zero-knowledge cryptographic routines, or run your own instance.
🔍 Audit the Cryptography
Inspect every single line of client-side Web Crypto (AES-256-GCM, RSA-OAEP, PBKDF2) to confirm private notes never leave your browser unencrypted.
🚀 Self-Host Your Own Server
Deploy SpotNotes on your own hardware or VPS in minutes with zero lock-in. Full data sovereignty and control over your deployment.
🤝 Open Collaboration
Follow ongoing development, submit pull requests, open issues, and join the community on our self-hosted Forgejo instance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the server operator or host see my private notes?
No. Private notes are encrypted client-side in your browser using the Web Crypto API before being transmitted. The server only stores ciphertext.
Where can I find the source code or self-host SpotNotes?
SpotNotes is 100% open source. You can explore the codebase, review the cryptography, or clone the repository to run your own server at forgejo.benjimanmiller.com/ben/spotnotes.app.
How does sharing private notepads work?
When you add a collaborator, your browser encrypts the notepad key using the collaborator's public key. Only their private key can unlock it.
Do I need an account to view public notes?
No, you can explore public notes and global feeds without an account. Registration is required to create and save private encrypted notes.