Prototext
Prototext is a free desktop application suitable for brainstorming with AI assistance, note-taking, composing multilingual text, creating flexible presentations, and managing project content with a minimalistic card-based interface.
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What is Prototext?
Prototext is a free, open‑source desktop app designed to turn chaotic notes, ideas, tasks, and files into structured, intelligent formats. It uses a card‑based editor where each piece of content lives in a small, movable card that can contain text, files, links, or embedded media, which you can then reorder and visually mark with colors and minimal formatting. The app supports building knowledge networks, flexible presentations, personal portfolios, multilingual guides, educational videos, audiobooks, and more, all inside a minimalistic interface that focuses on your ideas instead of cluttered menus.
A central feature is its tight integration with AI and external APIs, such as ChatGPT, Whisper (speech‑to‑text), ElevenLabs (text‑to‑speech), and other neural networks or custom services, so you can generate, transcribe, and structure content directly inside the app. You can record or attach audio notes, then send them through Whisper to get transcribed text, and feed that into ChatGPT or other models to extract questions, theses, or summaries, each automatically split into separate cards. This pipeline lets you move efficiently from raw audio or messy notes to clean, organized outlines and structured documents.
Prototext is especially useful for creators, educators, researchers, writers, and knowledge workers who need to manage complex projects, multilingual content, or multimedia workflows without relying on cloud platforms. It runs locally, supports offline work, and stores documents in a custom .ptxt format with an accompanying assets folder, so you retain full control over your files and can encrypt sensitive documents. The app also offers presentation modes and video‑rendering tools that let you build slide‑like tutorials, narrated videos, and simple animations directly from your card‑based content, exporting them as MP4s or other media files for sharing or publishing.
Prototext pricing
Pricing model: Free
Prototext is distributed as a free desktop application with no paid license required to use the core features. The app is open‑source and can be downloaded from the official site for Mac and Windows without any subscription or in‑app purchase. There is no official cloud hosting or SaaS tier; users bear the cost of external AI services they connect (for example, ChatGPT, Whisper, or ElevenLabs API calls), but the ProtoText interface itself does not impose usage fees or metered plans.
Prototext pros
- Completely free to use with no subscription required
- Open‑source desktop application with published source code
- No mandatory registration or user accounts
- No ads, cloud lock‑in, or telemetry tracking
- Fully offline capable, works without internet
- Local file storage with .ptxt documents and assets folder
- Card‑based interface for intuitive drag‑and‑drop organization
- Minimalist design that keeps focus on content over UI
- Native support for AI integrations like ChatGPT and Whisper
- Built‑in text‑to‑speech via ElevenLabs or similar APIs
- Audio‑note recording and speech‑to‑text transcription workflows
- Flexible link system for web, files, and internal document links
- Multi‑page view for comparing and connecting content across pages
- Built‑in presentation mode and slide‑style layouts
- Direct MP4 video rendering from card‑based slides and audio
- Support for images, video, and audio assets inside cards
- Encrypted document option for sensitive or confidential data
- Custom card actions to connect arbitrary APIs and services
- Keyboard‑driven workflows with shortcuts for fast editing
- Tutorial and wiki content actually created inside the app itself
Prototext cons
- Desktop‑only app, no web or mobile version
- Limited platform support (Mac/Windows via ZIP, no official stores)
- No automatic cloud sync or cross‑device backup
- Relies on third‑party APIs whose costs you must cover
- Setup requires manual configuration of API keys and services
- Video rendering can be CPU and RAM intensive on large projects
- User interface is minimal but can feel opaque to new users
- No formal collaboration or real‑time multi‑user editing
- Limited vertical‑format or portrait‑oriented video support
- Some advanced features work only in newer versions (1.10.2+)
Frequently asked questions about Prototext
Is Prototext free or paid?
Prototext is a free desktop application with no subscription or license fee for the core editing, AI‑integration, and media features. The app is open‑source and distributed as downloadable ZIP files for Mac and Windows, and you can freely use it without paying the developer. However, if you connect external AI or speech‑to‑text/text‑to‑speech services (like ChatGPT or ElevenLabs), those providers may charge for their API usage separately.
Where can I download Prototext?
You can download Prototext directly from its official website at https://prototext.app. The site offers separate ZIP packages for Mac and Windows, as well as access to the source code and a community link. After downloading, you unzip the file and run the app locally without any installation wizard or online registration.
Does Prototext require an account or cloud?
No, Prototext does not require an account, registration, or cloud storage to work. Everything runs locally on your computer, and your documents are plain .ptxt files stored in directories you choose, with an accompanying assets folder for media. The app advertises that it has no tracking, no ads, and no cloud dependency, so your data stays under your control.
How does AI integration work in Prototext?
Prototext lets you plug in modern AI services such as ChatGPT for text generation, Whisper for speech‑to‑text, and ElevenLabs for text‑to‑speech through its Settings menu. You enter your own API keys, map services to buttons, and then trigger them from special card‑action buttons. For example, you can transcribe an audio note with Whisper, then send that text plus a prompt to ChatGPT and have the response split into individual cards that you can further organize.
Can Prototext render videos or presentations?
Yes, Prototext includes a presentation mode and video‑rendering tools that allow you to turn card‑based content into slideshows and MP4 videos. You can arrange image cards, attach audio comment cards, and set slide durations and background music, then use the built‑in Render button to produce an MP4 file. This feature is designed for simple slide‑style tutorials, narrated explainers, and short video projects made directly from the app’s card structure.
Is Prototext available on mobile or web?
Prototext is currently released only as a desktop application for Mac and Windows via direct ZIP downloads, and there is no official web version or mobile app. The project description emphasizes a local, offline workflow and does not advertise any browser‑based or smartphone editions, so you must use it on a desktop operating system.
How does Prototext handle file attachments and assets?
When you attach a file (image, audio, video, or document) to a card in Prototext, the app saves a copy in an assets folder next to the .ptxt document. Each file is given a unique name, and the card shows a preview or play button. If you delete a card, the associated asset is moved to a Trash directory rather than being immediately erased from disk, helping you avoid accidental loss of media files.
Can I encrypt my ProtoText documents?
Yes, Prototext supports encrypted documents to protect confidential or sensitive content. The app allows you to enable encryption when saving or creating a document, so that the file is stored in an encrypted form on your device. This gives you an extra layer of security when handling things like personal tax guides, internal project notes, or other private information while still keeping the work local and offline.
What types of links can I create inside cards?
Within a card you can create several kinds of links: web links (for example to YouTube, articles, or search tags), links to local files on your computer, and internal links to other ProtoText documents or pages inside the same project. Web links can show interactive previews where supported, file links let you reference external documents, and internal links help you build knowledge networks, multi‑page guides, or nested presentations by connecting different parts of your project together.
Are there tutorials or onboarding help for Prototext?
Yes, Prototext provides a dedicated wiki and tutorial section on its website that walks you through installation on Mac and Windows, the basics of the card‑based editor, custom card actions, audio‑note workflows, and video rendering. The tutorials themselves were created inside the app, showing how its features can be used in practice. The documentation covers setup, keyboard shortcuts, file‑handling, AI integration patterns, and limitations, making it a practical starting point for new users.