Questions
Answers, plainly
Everything people ask before they trust a notebook with the things that matter most.
Is Arcalox free?
Yes. Arcalox is free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 license. There is no paid tier, no subscription, and no per-seat fee.
Can I use Arcalox without installing anything?
Yes. The web app runs in your browser with nothing to install. Your notes are end-to-end encrypted in the browser and stay on your device. The installed Android and desktop apps add the on-device coercion defenses (duress unlock, decoy vault, panic wipe).
Does Arcalox need an account?
No. There is no account, no email, and no phone number. Your identity is a keypair created on your own device.
Is my data encrypted?
Yes. Everything is encrypted at rest on your device with AES-256-GCM and a SQLCipher whole-database key, derived through Argon2id. Encryption is always on and is never a toggle.
Does Arcalox work offline?
Yes. Arcalox is offline first and makes no outbound network calls. Sync happens as a single encrypted file through storage you control, so only ciphertext ever leaves the device.
How do I sync notes without a cloud account?
Arcalox exports a single encrypted file that you move between your own devices through a folder or cloud you already control. The same encrypted file opens in the installed apps and in the browser, carrying your notes, folders, tags, and images. Only ciphertext ever leaves the device, so no provider can read it.
Can someone force me to unlock Arcalox?
Arcalox is built for that threat. A duress passphrase opens a realistic decoy vault and can silently destroy the key to your real data, and a panic wipe removes your real vault quickly. These coercion defenses are in the installed Android and desktop apps. Read the security model.
Can Arcalox or its makers read my notes?
No. Your notes are encrypted on your device with a key derived from your passphrase through Argon2id. The Veydrin Order runs no servers and holds no keys, so no one, including us, can read your data.
Can I bring notes from another app?
Yes. Arcalox imports from Joplin, Obsidian, Evernote, and Standard Notes. Your library is encrypted the moment it lands.
What platforms does Arcalox run on?
Arcalox runs on the web, Android, and Linux today. Windows, macOS, and iOS are planned. The web app needs no install; the installed apps add the on-device coercion defenses.