A Notion alternative for your own notes rather than your team's. Notion is a cloud workspace for documents, databases and team collaboration. ReticulOS is a desktop app for one person's working context: it captures from any app with one shortcut, keeps everything encrypted on your device, and answers questions over your notes with citations. Pick Notion to plan and document work with a team; pick ReticulOS to keep your own sources and notes within reach while you work.
At a glance
| ReticulOS | Notion | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | An individual's working context | Teams and shared documentation |
| Where data lives | Encrypted database on your device | Notion's cloud |
| Capture from other apps | One-shortcut capture from any app; always-on-top widget | Web clipper, copy-paste, integrations |
| AI | Ret, over your collections, with a source for every answer | Notion AI, built into the workspace |
| Collaboration | Single-user (sync between your own computers is coming) | Real-time multi-user editing and sharing |
| Structure | Collections, a day book, a freeform canvas | Pages, databases and views |
Choose Notion if…
- Your team needs shared docs, wikis or project databases.
- You want real-time collaboration and permissions.
- You work mostly in the browser across devices.
Choose ReticulOS if…
- You want your notes encrypted on your own machine.
- You need to capture from other apps without switching windows.
- You want AI answers grounded in your saved notes, with the source for each point.
Using both
Keep Notion for the team: shared docs, databases and project plans. Use ReticulOS for your own working context, the links, quotes and snippets you collect while you work and would rather not put in a shared workspace.
When something you've collected is ready to share, copy it from ReticulOS into Notion. ReticulOS stores notes as Markdown, so headings, lists and tables keep their shape.
Questions
Can I use ReticulOS and Notion together?
Yes. Many people keep team documentation in a shared workspace and use ReticulOS for their own captures and research. ReticulOS exports Markdown, which you can paste or import into other tools.
Is ReticulOS a team tool?
No. ReticulOS is built for one person's notes on their own computer. There's no shared workspace or real-time collaboration.
Where are my notes kept?
In an encrypted database on your own computer. The app has no analytics or tracking, and your notes never leave your computer unless you ask Ret a question or connect an AI app. The app itself only checks for updates, and downloads its search model once.
Start saving.
Free for Linux and Windows, in beta now. Your first note takes one shortcut.
Linux and Windows today · Mac coming soon · Questions? support@reticulos.com
