Saber is a cross-platform open-source app for handwritten notes with encrypted syncing.

Is Saber open source?

Yes. Saber is open source under the GPL-3.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at saber-notes/saber and is written mainly in Dart.

Yes. Saber is open source, so the software itself is free to use.

Can I self-host Saber?

Yes. Saber can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.

What is Saber an alternative to?

Saber is an open-source alternative to Microsoft OneNote. Other open-source alternatives to Microsoft OneNote include Butterfly, Notesnook and Rnote.

Is Saber actively maintained?

Yes. The most recent commit to Saber was on 2 October 2026, and the latest release is v1.36.1, published on 30 August 2026. The project has 4.9k stars on GitHub.

Saber: open-source alternative to Microsoft OneNote

About Saber

Saber is a notes app designed for handwriting. It allows users to create and edit handwritten notes across multiple devices including phones, tablets, and computers.

The app emphasizes privacy by encrypting notes during syncing so that only the user can read them. It also offers organizational features such as unlimited nested folders and quick access to recent notes.

Saber includes a highlighter that does not overlap with itself and renders underneath text. It also provides a cohesive dark mode that darkens both the UI and the notes themselves.

Key features

Handwritten notes
Encrypted syncing across devices
Unlimited nested folders for organization
Highlighter that does not overlap and renders underneath text
Cohesive dark mode that darkens notes

Built with: Dart tools; Flutter tools
Tags: handwritten notes; note-taking; cross-platform; open-source; encrypted syncing; dark mode

Saber: questions and answers

What is Saber?: Saber is a cross-platform open-source app for handwritten notes with encrypted syncing.
Is Saber open source?: Yes. Saber is open source under the GPL-3.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at saber-notes/saber and is written mainly in Dart.
Is Saber free?: Yes. Saber is open source, so the software itself is free to use.
Can I self-host Saber?: Yes. Saber can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.
What is Saber an alternative to?: Saber is an open-source alternative to Microsoft OneNote. Other open-source alternatives to Microsoft OneNote include Butterfly, Notesnook and Rnote.
Is Saber actively maintained?: Yes. The most recent commit to Saber was on 2 October 2026, and the latest release is v1.36.1, published on 30 August 2026. The project has 4.9k stars on GitHub.