reflect-open
Open-source Reflect rewrite: A local-first AI agent-friendly Markdown note-taking app
The Lens
By Erik Loyd, SaaS CEO and former COO/CFO of an AWS Premier Partner.
Updated Aug 2026
Reflect-open is the note app Reflect rebuilt in the open: local-first, every note a plain Markdown file on disk, daily notes, wiki-links with backlinks, audio memos with transcription. AI features run through an API key you bring (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google), so there's no bundled AI subscription. The Mac app is MIT licensed and free permanently, per the company itself.
There's no backend to run; sync is iCloud or a git repo, which is the whole local-first point. The company line matters here: the desktop app stays free, the iPhone app is free in beta but planned to become paid, and the original $10/mo proprietary Reflect keeps running as a separate product.
Obsidian is the obvious comparison, and it's the more mature choice today with its plugin ecosystem. Reflect-open's pitch over it: actual open source rather than a free proprietary app, and company backing rather than volunteer maintenance. Logseq covers the outliner crowd.
The catch: Apple-only, deliberately, with Windows and Android as stated non-goals. It's beta, and the free/paid line runs through platforms, so wanting it on your phone long-term likely means paying.
Free vs Self-Hosted vs Paid
open coreFree: The Mac desktop app, MIT licensed, stated as free permanently. Notes are plain Markdown on disk; sync via iCloud or git costs nothing.
Paid (planned): The iPhone app is free during TestFlight but will become paid; price undecided. Existing $10/mo Reflect subscribers will have it covered.
BYO costs: AI features bill at your own model provider.
The trade: Free, open, file-based notes on Mac; the mobile half of the experience is the future paywall.
The Mac app is free and open source permanently. The iPhone app is the planned paywall.
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Trust Signals
License: MIT License
Use freely, including commercial. Just keep the license.
Commercial use: ✓ Yes
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