Some of you may have seen that Reflect has announced that it has built a local-first, open source version of its notetaking app. The current proprietary version is staying intact, but it appears that the team's energy is going to be put into the new version. The email announcing the new version says that the Mac version will be free and open source, and that the iPhone version will eventually bear a cost. Quite a change from one of the more premium-priced PKMs. Personally, I feel more confident about an app's prospective staying power when it charges a reasonable price, but others feel differently.

Steve Zeoli, maybe now you can stay with Reflect during your golden years!

Interesting. Did Reflect say this is a this-year, next-year, don't-know timeframe?

Here's the FAQ from the email -- it seems well-motivated:

Frequently asked questions
Is the existing Reflect app shutting down?
No. The Reflect you use today will remain available, and we’ll continue maintaining it and fixing bugs.

Do I have to move to Reflect Open?
No. There is no migration deadline. Reflect Open is where new development is happening, but you can keep using the existing app for as long as you need.

Can I use both versions at the same time?
Yes, but they are separate apps. Importing creates a copy of your notes in Reflect Open; subsequent edits do not sync between the two versions.

Will importing change or delete anything in my existing Reflect account?
No. The import is one-way and non-destructive. Your existing graph remains untouched.

What gets imported?
Your daily notes, regular notes, attachments, links, tags, and Markdown tasks are imported. Reflect Open rebuilds search and backlinks from those files. Account settings, integrations, AI conversations, note history, and published URLs do not currently transfer.

What happens to my current subscription?
Nothing changes today. Your subscription continues to cover the existing Reflect product. Reflect Open for Mac is free and open source. We expect the mobile app to become paid eventually, but pricing and how it will apply to existing subscribers are still undecided.

How do my Mac and iPhone stay in sync?
The simplest option is to put your graph in iCloud Drive. Reflect Open will then open the same Markdown files on your Mac and iPhone. Alternatively you can also use Git/GitHub for a self-managed graph.

Do I need iCloud?
No. On Mac, your graph can live in any folder you choose. On iPhone, you can keep notes on the device or connect a GitHub graph. We recommend iCloud for most people using both Mac and iPhone.

Is Reflect Open end-to-end encrypted?
Reflect Open does not add its own end-to-end encryption layer. Instead, your notes are ordinary files stored locally, in iCloud Drive, or in a Git repository you control. However, in many countries it is possible to turn on end-to-end encryption inside of iCloud.

Can Reflect Open read my notes?
Reflect has no server that stores or processes your Reflect Open graph. Note content leaves your device only when you enable a service such as AI, transcription, iCloud, or Git backup, and it goes directly to that provider.

How does AI work?
You add your own OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or OpenRouter key. Reflect sends requests directly to that provider, and any provider charges are billed to your account. Keys are stored in the operating system’s keychain and need to be configured separately on each device.

What does the ‘Private’ note setting do?
It prevents that note’s content from being sent to AI or another service that reads note content. It does not exclude the note from iCloud or GitHub backup; otherwise the note could be silently lost when restoring your graph.

Does Reflect Open have every feature from the existing Reflect?
Not yet. It is a beta and some features are missing or work differently. There is no web app, no iPad app, and areas such as publishing and some integrations have not been carried over. But we will close the gap for most of the features.

Can I edit my notes with another app?
Yes. They are normal Markdown files. You can open them in another editor, copy them, update them, point Claude Code at them.

Which platforms are supported?
The beta supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, plus iPhone through TestFlight. Windows and Android are not available yet, and we do not have release dates for them.

How safe is the beta?
We’re using it ourselves, but it is still beta software. Keep your original Reflect graph and sync or back up the new graph through iCloud or GitHub. TestFlight builds can also expire, so the phone should never hold the only copy of your notes.

I already pay for Reflect. Will my subscription carry over?
Yes. Your existing Reflect subscription will transfer to Reflect Open, including access to the mobile app when it becomes paid. You won’t need to subscribe again or pay twice.

What happens if Reflect Open is ever discontinued?
Your notes remain ordinary Markdown files, and the application’s source code is available under the MIT license. Your data does not depend on Reflect continuing to operate a server.

Aren’t you releasing a free competitor to your own product?
Yes—to some extent. Reflect Open overlaps heavily with the original Reflect, and making the desktop app free may cannibalize our existing business. That’s the classic innovator’s dilemma: protect the product and business model you have today, or embrace the thing that may eventually replace them. We think resisting that change would be a mistake. If we don’t build this version of Reflect, someone else will.
Our proposed model is to keep the desktop app free and open source, then charge for the mobile app once it leaves beta. We don’t know exactly how this will play out, but we believe a free desktop app can bring Reflect to far more people while paid mobile supports its continued development.

Exactly my thoughts.

exatty95 wrote:

Steve Zeoli, maybe now you can stay with Reflect during your golden years!