Frequently Asked Questions

About SilverBullet

Who’s behind this?

SilverBullet is created by Zef Hemel, with contributions from a growing community. See About.

Is SilverBullet open source?

SilverBullet Server is fully open source under the MIT license, and always will be. SilverBullet Desktop is not open source, but it’s built on the same open source core: the editor, libraries and Space Lua are identical.

The reason for this split is sustainability. Building, supporting and maintaining SilverBullet takes a lot of time, and for years that was purely voluntary. Pro licenses for work use of Desktop fund the development of both. See Funding.

Should I use Server or Desktop?

It depends on where you want your knowledge to live. Desktop keeps a space as a folder on your computer and works without a server. Server runs your space on a machine you control, or with a host, so you can reach it from any browser and share it with others. You can also use both: Desktop syncs with any Server. Help me choose →

Is there a mobile app?

Not as a separate app store app. Open your SilverBullet Server in your phone’s browser and install it as a PWA: it gets its own icon, works offline, and syncs when you’re back online.

Server

Do I have to host it myself?

No. You can run it yourself in one container or as a single binary (install guide), or have it hosted for you: see Hosted SilverBullet.

Can Desktop sync with my Server?

Yes. Desktop can keep a local space in sync with any SilverBullet Server, your own or a hosted one. See Desktop Sync.

Buying

Is SilverBullet Desktop free?

For personal use and use in education, yes, and the editing experience is the same in both tiers. Using it at work requires a Pro license, which also adds a few extras, such as Meta Space and the Edge release channel. See Pricing for the full comparison.

What is a ‘seat’?

A seat is a single user. A Pro license is valid for one person, who can use it on as many of their own devices as they like; there are no technical restrictions on this.

Buying multiple seats lets you hand out licenses to your team in one purchase. Buy 10 seats and you receive 10 license keys to give to 10 people. Each key can be revoked on its own (for example when someone leaves your team), and you can then issue a new one for whoever joins.

Can I receive an invoice for my purchase?

Yes. On your account page, click “Manage” next to the Subscriptions header, choose “Payments” on the left, and select the payment you need an invoice for. You can add details such as a company name or tax ID there, then download the invoice with the “View Invoice” button.

Can I get a refund?

Yes, within 14 days of your first purchase or of any renewal, no questions asked. See the Refund Policy.