The Local-First Notes App That Doesn't Track You: An Inside Look at KeepMD

Joe — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:56:41 GMT

In 2026, most note-taking apps require an account, a subscription, and constant internet access. KeepMD does the opposite.

KeepMD is a Progressive Web App and Markdown IDE designed around 3 principles: speed, privacy, and data sovereignty.

How It Works

All documents are stored in the browser’s IndexedDB. There is no login, no database, and no cloud sync. When a user types, the app uses a background Web Worker to parse markdown and return sanitized HTML. This keeps the UI thread free for smooth typing.

Standout Features

Ephemeral Device Transfer: Move notes between phone and laptop using a 120-second QR code. Uses WebRTC DataChannels. No server ever sees the data.

Smart Exports: One-click export to .md,.txt,.html, and PDF via native browser print

Power Tools: Regex search, multi-cursor editing, and instant copy that outputs clean ASCII tables

The business model is also different. The web app is free forever. Revenue will come from a future $15-$30 one-time purchase of Desktop or Mobile app built with Tauri, not subscriptions.

For privacy-conscious writers, researchers, and developers, KeepMD presents an alternative to surveillance-capitalism note apps.

Explore it here: https://keepmd.xyz