Key takeaways
- Spiritual successor to Notational Velocity from Brett Terpstra and Fletcher Penney (MultiMarkdown creator)
- Search-first interface — start typing to instantly find or create notes
- Still in private beta after years of development, pricing TBD
FAQ
What is nvUltra?
nvUltra is a Mac note-taking app from Brett Terpstra and Fletcher Penney that combines blazing-fast search with plain text markdown files. It's the modern successor to Notational Velocity.
Is nvUltra available to buy?
Not yet. nvUltra has been in private beta since approximately 2019, with no public release date announced.
Who is building nvUltra?
Brett Terpstra (creator of Marked, nvALT) and Fletcher Penney (creator of MultiMarkdown).
Executive Summary
nvUltra is the long-awaited successor to Notational Velocity and nvALT — beloved minimalist note apps known for their instant search-first interface. Built by Brett Terpstra (creator of Marked and nvALT) and Fletcher Penney (creator of MultiMarkdown), nvUltra promises the same lightning-fast search workflow with modern MultiMarkdown features. However, it has been in private beta for years with no public release date, making it vaporware-adjacent despite its pedigree.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Company | Brett Terpstra / Fletcher Penney (indie) |
| Founded | ~2019 (announced) |
| Funding | Bootstrapped |
| Headquarters | USA |
Product Overview
nvUltra follows the "modal entry" philosophy that made Notational Velocity famous: there's one search/create field where you start typing. If a matching note exists, it appears instantly. If not, pressing Enter creates a new note with that title. This workflow eliminates the friction of "where do I put this?" — you just type and go.
Notes are stored as plain MultiMarkdown files, making them portable and editable in any application. nvUltra adds modern features like multiple notebooks, live preview, and support for non-text files in your folders.
Key Capabilities
| Capability | Description |
|---|---|
| Modal Search/Create | Single field for finding or creating notes instantly |
| MultiMarkdown | Full MultiMarkdown support with live preview |
| Multiple Notebooks | Any folder can be a notebook; open several at once |
| Drag & Drop Links | Connect notes by dragging between them |
| Non-Text Files | Images, PDFs, and other files indexed alongside notes |
| Live Preview | Side-by-side synchronized scrolling preview |
Editions
| Surface | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Mac App | Native macOS application | Private Beta |
Technical Architecture
nvUltra stores notes as plain text files in standard folders — no proprietary database. This means you can edit files with any other app while nvUltra is running, and it will keep up with external changes.
The app builds on Fletcher Penney's MultiMarkdown technology, supporting advanced features like tables, footnotes, citations, and math equations.
Key Technical Details
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| File Format | .md, .txt, .mmd (plain text) |
| Storage | Local folders |
| Sync | iCloud or any folder sync service |
| Preview | Live MultiMarkdown rendering |
| Integration | Works with Marked 2 for advanced preview |
Strengths
- Search-first workflow — The Notational Velocity paradigm remains the fastest way to capture and retrieve notes
- Plain text files — Notes are future-proof, portable, and never locked in
- MultiMarkdown power — Advanced features like tables, footnotes, citations, math (from the creator of MultiMarkdown)
- Multiple notebooks — Open several folders at once, drag and drop between them
- Pedigree — Built by Brett Terpstra and Fletcher Penney, two of the most respected names in Mac productivity
Cautions
- Perpetual beta — Has been in private beta since ~2019 with no clear release timeline
- Mac-only — No iOS companion, no cross-platform support planned
- Invitation-only — Can't easily try it; must request beta access from Brett Terpstra
- Pricing unknown — No announced pricing structure
- Competition has evolved — Obsidian, Bear 2, and others have matured while nvUltra remains unreleased
Pricing & Licensing
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Beta | Free (invitation only) | Full app access during beta |
| Release | TBD | Unknown |
Licensing model: Unknown (likely one-time purchase based on developer history)
Hidden costs: None known, but unclear until release.
Competitive Positioning
Direct Competitors
| Competitor | Differentiation |
|---|---|
| Obsidian | nvUltra has simpler search-first UX; Obsidian has plugins and linking |
| Bear | Bear has polish and iOS; nvUltra has plain files and speed |
| FSNotes | FSNotes is free/open-source and shipping; nvUltra is beta |
| Nota | Similar plain-text philosophy; Nota is available now |
When to Choose nvUltra Over Alternatives
- Choose nvUltra when: You loved Notational Velocity/nvALT and want the modern successor (if you can get beta access)
- Choose Obsidian when: You need wiki links, plugins, and cross-platform now
- Choose FSNotes when: You want a free, shipping Notational Velocity alternative
- Choose Bear when: You want polished design with iOS sync
Ideal Customer Profile
Best fit:
- Former Notational Velocity / nvALT users
- Writers who prioritize speed of capture over organization
- MultiMarkdown power users
- Mac-only users who value plain text files
Poor fit:
- Anyone who needs a shipping product now
- Cross-platform users (Windows, Linux, iOS)
- Users who want wiki-style linking between notes
- Anyone who can't get beta access
Viability Assessment
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Financial Health | Unknown — beta only, no revenue yet |
| Market Position | Niche — competing for Notational Velocity loyalists |
| Innovation Pace | Slow — years in beta |
| Community/Ecosystem | Limited — closed beta |
| Long-term Outlook | Uncertain — may never ship publicly |
The extended beta is concerning. While Brett Terpstra and Fletcher Penney have excellent track records, nvUltra has been "coming soon" for over five years. Many potential users have moved to alternatives.
Bottom Line
nvUltra represents the ideal evolution of Notational Velocity — fast search, plain text files, modern MultiMarkdown support. The pedigree is impeccable. But years of private beta without a release date make it hard to recommend waiting for it.
Recommended for: Notational Velocity/nvALT loyalists who can get beta access and are patient.
Not recommended for: Anyone who needs a solution now, or cross-platform users.
Outlook: If nvUltra ships, it will likely be excellent. But the window may have closed — Obsidian, FSNotes, and others have captured the audience that was waiting. Watch Brett Terpstra's blog for updates, but don't hold your breath.
Research by Ry Walker Research • methodology