Still Waiting for a Notion Desktop App? Try This Instead.

The Long Wait for a True Notion Desktop App

For years, Notion users have been asking for a native, offline-capable desktop application. While the current "desktop app" is essentially a web wrapper, many users crave the speed, reliability, and offline access that a true local-first application provides. The gap between expectation and reality leaves many power users searching for a better way to work.

What Users Really Want (and Why the Wrapper Falls Short)

The demand isn't just about avoiding another browser tab. It's about fundamental workflow needs that a web wrapper can't satisfy:

• True Offline Mode: You're on a plane or in a cafe with spotty Wi-Fi. You need to pull up a critical document or jot down an idea. With a web wrapper, you're at the mercy of your last sync. A native app would give you full access, anytime.
• Speed and Performance: Every click in a web app involves a potential network request. A native app feels instant because the work is happening on your machine. No more spinners, no more lag—just fluid productivity.
• Deep Local File Integration: Imagine trying to manage a video project, a design system, or a research paper with hundreds of PDFs in Notion. Uploading everything is slow and clunky. A native app should let you organize and annotate files where they live.
• Data Sovereignty: In an era of data breaches and privacy concerns, relying on the cloud for your most sensitive information is a risk. Storing data locally gives you ultimate control and peace of mind.

The Alternative: Bring the Power of Notion to Your Local Files

Instead of waiting, you can adopt a local-first tool like Tokie. Think of it as Notion for your file system. It's not a replacement, but a powerful companion that bridges the gap between cloud convenience and local control.

With a local-first approach, you can:

• Transform Folders into Databases: Add tags, due dates, and status fields to any file or folder.
• Create Rich Notes Anywhere: Write Markdown notes that live right alongside your project files.
• Build a Local Dashboard: Use widgets to create a project overview and status, timers, and more—all offline.

Who is a Local-First Companion For?

This approach is a game-changer for anyone whose work revolves around local files:

• Creatives & Designers: Manage large assets, track versions, and keep project notes with your design files—not in a separate system.
• Researchers & Academics: Organize hundreds of PDFs, papers, and datasets. Annotate and link them without ever uploading them to the cloud.
• Developers: Keep technical notes, track progress, and manage documentation right inside your code repositories.
• Privacy-Conscious Users: Build a personal knowledge base that is 100% private and offline.

A Head-to-Head Comparison

Stop Waiting and Start Building Your Ideal Workflow

While we all hope for an official native Notion desktop app, you don't have to put your productivity on hold. The solution isn't to abandon the tools you love, but to augment them. By pairing Notion's strength in cloud collaboration with a powerful local-first companion like Tokie, you can build a workflow that is fast, private, and truly tailored to your needs.

It’s the desktop app experience you’ve been waiting for—just not from where you expected it.