Your edge deck. Your terms.
- Free to useGet started without buying a licence or choosing a subscription.
- Windows and MacChoose the desktop package that fits the way you work.
- Local-first notesKeep your personal references on your own device.
MINO is built around a simple idea: the notes you need right now deserve a place beside your work. Put an agenda, a useful reference or a short checklist at the edge of your screen. Peek when you need a detail, make a quick edit, and carry on. Your library keeps everything else ready for later.
Privacy starts with your device
Your MINO notes are stored locally. Writing, searching and organizing work offline after setup, and the desktop app requires no account. The MINO desktop app has no telemetry or analytics. You can keep a personal working library without signing up for another online workspace.
On Windows, note titles and bodies are encrypted with AES-256-GCM, with the key protected by Windows DPAPI for your Windows account. Encryption and key protection are platform-specific; see the privacy details for the Windows release and storage information.
Getting MINO is straightforward too. Download directly, or optionally share your email if you want MINO updates. The choice is yours. The website uses Google Analytics; the optional email form is separate from your desktop library.
MINO vs Hold My Notes, at a glance
| What matters | MINO | Hold My Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free to use No paid licence or subscription. | $6.99 early-bird one-time licence for up to 3 Macs; free trial advertised. |
| Desktop platforms | Windows and Mac Windows 10/11 x64 and macOS 13.3+. Universal Mac DMG. | macOS 13+. Its website advertises a Mac app. |
| Windows downloads | Installer or portable Choose your preferred package; WebView2 required. | No Windows package advertised on the reviewed site. |
| Local notes | Stored on your device No desktop account required. | Advertises local storage with no account requirement. |
| Offline work | Ready when you are Write, search and organize offline after setup. | Advertises offline use. |
| Edge access | Pin. Peek. Edit. Keep talking points, references and checklists at the edge. | An edge-docked deck that fans out as the pointer approaches. |
| Saved references | A library behind your deck Search saved notes and pin useful ones back to the edge. | Searchable notes and archive. |
| Exports | Keep your own copies Markdown and text exports, plus backup options in Data & recovery. | Advertises Markdown, text and archive export options. |
A little context. A lot less clutter.
Before your next call, pin three talking points. While writing, keep a specification or useful snippet beside your document. Between tasks, give the next few steps their own working checklist. MINO keeps these references in a focused edge deck, so you have a consistent place to reach for the detail you need.
Hover to read a note. Click when you want to edit. Unpin it when its task is finished, then find it again through the library whenever it becomes useful. The deck stays focused on today’s work while your saved references remain easy to bring back.
Make room for MINO
Explore the interactive example on the homepage, then choose the Windows or Mac download for your device. Windows users can pick the installer or portable executable; Mac users get a universal DMG for Apple Silicon and Intel. Each platform guide explains the package requirements before you download.
Start with the references that matter to your next task: one agenda, one specification, one checklist. Your edge deck is ready to take shape around your work. MINO is free to use, with no desktop account needed and a direct-download option whenever you are ready.
Sources and comparison notes
Published by MINO, an independent product not affiliated with or endorsed by Hold My Notes. MINO information comes from our release metadata and product documentation. Hold My Notes facts come from its official website and published comparison. No hands-on testing of the competitor was performed.
Sources reviewed . The table covers selected pricing, platform and everyday-workflow facts. Pricing and features can change; consult the product sources for full details.