Notational Velocity for Mac

Used Notational Velocity for Mac?

Notational Velocity Analysis

AI Assisted Content · June 11, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

Notational Velocity is a free productivity application designed for Mac users, focusing on fast and efficient note-taking. The program features a minimalist interface that allows users to quickly create, edit, and retrieve notes. It supports plain text and markdown formatting, making it versatile for various note-taking needs. The application also includes a powerful search function, enabling instant access to notes by typing keywords, which enhances overall productivity.

Top Recommended Alternative

Simplenote

Free

In addition to its note management capabilities, Notational Velocity offers synchronization with external services, ensuring that notes are backed up and accessible across devices. Users can easily import and export notes, providing flexibility in how information is organized. The lightweight nature of the software ensures that it runs smoothly on Mac systems, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to streamline their note-taking process.

Notational Velocity for Mac

Used Notational Velocity for Mac?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: April 1, 2011

Latest update: June 11, 2026

Version: 2.0b5

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System

Mac OS X 10.5
Mac OS X
Mac OS X 10.4
Mac OS X 10.6

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 2,940

Downloads Last Week: 0

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.9/5

25 User Votes

The graduation of Evernote.
dneimeierMay 3, 2011
Pros
Simple, efficient, everything I want in a note manager
Cons
None that I have encountered (been using for 5 months now).
Summary
Outstanding. No bloat-code. Very efficient. Create several notes. Search or create a new note in one operation. Can be used for note taking, to-do lists, journaling. This is everything I have been looking for...
Quite simply the best
UVMooseApril 1, 2011
Pros
Easy to use. Search is instantaneous. Autosave.
Cons
There's nothing more I need in a note application.
Summary
As a professional writer I have used NV daily almost since it came out. The first of its kind and still the best.
Great app. Works great with Simplenote on the iPhone.
Jim ColeFebruary 2, 2011
Pros
Ease of use. Intuitiveness. iPhone syncing with Simplenote. Most note 'manipulating' is customarily done on the desktop and with Notational Velocity, its a breeze.
Cons
None found.
Summary
Stop battling trying to get the iPhone's notes to sync, in a round-about method, with your Apple Mail. Put Notational Velocity on your Mac, Simplenote on your iPhone and you're up an running; no worries.
nice...
librarymonkey27February 27, 2010
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />this is a nice and simple little program.. the only negative is the lack of formating window, but for quick notes it is excellent
Simple, Easy-To-Use, and Syncs with iPhone
joelmcintoshFebruary 19, 2010
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I use Notational Velocity for storing quick notes and references on my Mac. Paired with the application's ability to sync with SimpleNote (simplenoteapp.com) for the web and iPhone, this is a fantastic little application. This application does EXACTLY what it promises. The philosophy of building an application that does a few things really well is exemplified in Notational Velocity. If you need a convenient place to store text messages this is the application for you. The ability to sync notes to SimpleNote means that the notes you enter on your Mac are immediately available on the simplenoteapp.com Website and on your iPhone (and vice-versa).
Simply Powerful
mail117February 5, 2010
Pros
Great product and now syncs with SimpleNote on the iPod Touch/iPhone. Carry your notes wherever you go.
Cons
There are no cons to this product that I have been able to find.
Summary
This is a brilliant way to keep all of your notes and snippets together, then be able to find them with blistering speed. It's a brilliantly simple app and simply brilliant to use.
Fast & Efficient! ...but entirely black & white?
wildtrackNovember 15, 2009
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Fast & Efficient! ...but Notational Velocity could use text & background colors. I use text-colors for emphasis and categorization in my notes-to-self. (Such as money-matters might be in green text, while creative ideas might be in purple text.) Background colors could be used in a similar manner. (Please reply to this review if I have overlooked the ability to apply text & background colors...) Extra-credit points for: Very clever application name (!) & fresh graphics on developer website.
Excellent!
hkimOctober 5, 2009
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />This is a very simple application whose function is so effective as to make it very useful for keeping notes. Though graphics are not embedded, it allows one to make notes and to search for them so easily and quickly that it is really impressive. Allowing for one to export notes in UTF-8 is a great idea for those that use two-byte fonts. Any improvements, at this point, would be adding luster to the original concept. I would only caution the author to consider carefully any additional "improvements" since very few applications can be the sum of all things.
Longtime Favorite, Better Than Ever
yeidelSeptember 21, 2009
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Still the simplest note-taker I know of, with some excellent additions like live URL's, note renaming, and tags. Thanks and thanks.
This is the best app I've ever used
viracochaAugust 3, 2006
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />simple, clean highly functional, Notational Velocity is a tool so useful its transparent. Kicks Devon-Mori-Yojimbo A$$ thank you Zach

Developer’s Description

Store notes, retrieve them and sync them to Simplenote.

Notational Velocity is an application that stores and retrieves notes. In Notational Velocity, the same area is used both for creating notes and searching. I.e., in the process of entering the title for a new note, related notes appear below, letting users file information there if they choose. Likewise, if a search reveals nothing, one need simply press return to create a note with the appropriate title.