SideNote Pro is a docked Windows AI assistant using your own API key or local model. 30-day free trial, then $49 one-time. Features and pricing reviewed.
Researched and fact-checked by Bartu Cavusoglu · Updated October 26, 2026
SideNote Pro is a native AI assistant for Windows 10 and Windows 11 that stays docked beside the application a person is already working in. It is developed by BediniLabs and distributed through Microsoft Store. The application is built with WinUI 3 on the Windows App SDK, rather than as a web app in a desktop wrapper.
It does not bundle AI. Users bring their own API key or a local model, so SideNote Pro supplies the Windows workflow while the chosen provider supplies the answers. The licence is bought once, with no SideNote Pro subscription and no account.
A global shortcut, Ctrl+Shift+Space by default, summons the panel from anywhere in Windows, and it can be changed in Settings. Users type a question, attach a document, capture part of the screen or act on selected text. Pressing Esc folds the panel into a slim leash on the screen edge, keeping the conversation and its position.
The panel can float, snap to an edge, stay above other windows or live in an optional right-edge drawer. Requests go from the user's machine directly to the endpoint set in a provider profile, and BediniLabs says it does not relay ordinary AI prompts.
For writing, selected-text actions open from Ctrl+Shift+Q to summarize, rewrite, explain or translate text. Replace selection works where an editor reports its selection, such as Notepad, Word and text boxes in Google Chrome. Inline commands like /fix, /short, /formal and /en rewrite text in the field after Tab, and they stay off until switched on.
For knowledge work, it accepts PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, text and code files, plus screenshots. Local folder context indexes a chosen folder on the PC and sends only relevant excerpts. Active Notes, Takeaways, local history, PDF export and cost tracking sit alongside, and version 1.17 added optional Web search with citations.
SideNote Pro is a native AI assistant for Windows 10 and 11 that stays docked beside the app you are using. It connects to your own AI provider or a local model, and a global shortcut summons it from anywhere. It is developed by BediniLabs.
The individual licence is $49 once for one user on up to two devices, with no SideNote Pro subscription. A 1-year licence is listed at $29, Business is $349 for 10 user licences, and Enterprise starts from $1,499. AI provider charges are separate.
Yes. The complete application is free for 30 days with no card required. The trial begins when you confirm it on the first-use screen, which needs an internet connection.
No. SideNote Pro has no bundled AI plan, so you connect your own provider key or a local model. Hosted providers may charge for requests under their own pricing, and a local model has no API charge.
It has presets for OpenAI, OpenRouter, Anthropic, Google Gemini and DeepSeek, and works with local endpoints such as Ollama and LM Studio. Other OpenAI-compatible services can be configured by hand, though compatibility varies.
According to the company, it does not receive your conversations, and there is no account, telemetry or cloud history. Requests go to the AI provider you configured under that provider's policies. The BediniLabs licensing service handles activation and entitlement only.
SideNote Pro supports Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041 or newer) and Windows 11, on x64. Windows 10 22H2 has been manually tested, while builds 19041 to 19044 have not.
Yes. A refund can be requested within 14 days of purchase without giving a reason and at no cost. The 30-day trial lets you run the complete application before paying.