HoverNotes

Overview

HoverNotes is an AI-powered note-taking browser extension built for video-based learning. Unlike conventional transcript-based tools that simply read captions, HoverNotes employs a visual AI model that actively watches the video content playing on your screen. This enables it to capture what traditional transcripts consistently miss — code snippets, mathematical equations, diagrams, slides, handwritten notes, and other on-screen visual details. The output is a set of clean, structured, and context-rich notes that mirror the actual video presentation, rather than just the spoken audio track.

Designed for deeply technical and academic content, HoverNotes generates notes with proper Markdown formatting, including syntax-highlighted code blocks, bullet lists, and hierarchical headings. The extension works natively on over 20 platforms — including YouTube, Udemy, Coursera, Bilibili, LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare, edX, Khan Academy, Vimeo, Pluralsight, MasterClass, TED Talks, and more. It also integrates with common LMS systems such as Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Panopto, Kaltura, and D2L Brightspace. Additionally, it supports local video files that play in the browser, making it a universal note-taking layer for any video source.

HoverNotes is language-agnostic: it can work with videos in any language and produce notes in your preferred language, even when no captions are available. This is particularly valuable for non-native speakers and international learners who want to follow lectures or tutorials without linguistic barriers. The extension is engineered around a local-first philosophy — notes are saved as pure Markdown files stored directly on your device, ready to be integrated with Obsidian, Logseq, or Roam. A one-click timestamped screenshot feature lets you embed exact frame captures into your notes, perfect for diagrams, UI mockups, and step-by-step demonstrations. The focused, ad-free workspace opens alongside any video, providing a split-view interface that eliminates tab switching and keeps your attention on learning.

Advanced video controls further enhance the experience: playback speed ranges from 0.1x to 16x with audio pitch preservation, timestamp-based navigation allows you to jump directly from any note to the exact moment in the video, and full keyboard shortcuts make the workflow fast and efficient. Trusted by over 20,000 learners and with more than 500,000 notes captured, HoverNotes has earned a 4.7/5 rating from 85 reviews. It is widely adopted by students, software developers, and professionals who rely on video content for continuous learning — transforming passive viewing into active, structured knowledge capture while keeping your data local, private, and fully owned by you.

Core capabilities

Visual AI Note Generation

Actively watches the on-screen video content to capture code snippets, equations, diagrams, and visual details that transcripts miss.

Structured Markdown Output

Produces clean, well-organized notes with syntax-highlighted code blocks, proper headings, and bullet points, ready for knowledge management systems.

Obsidian Vault Integration

Saves notes directly to your local Obsidian vault as pure Markdown files, with compatibility for Logseq and Roam.

Timestamped Screenshots

One-click screenshot capture embeds full-screen or custom area images into notes at the exact moment, ideal for diagrams and demos.

Multi-Platform Support

Works natively on 20+ platforms including YouTube, Udemy, Coursera, Bilibili, Khan Academy, LinkedIn Learning, and local video files.

Multilingual Note-Taking

Supports videos in any language and generates notes in your preferred language, with or without captions.

Focused Workspace

Opens a clean, ad-free split-view interface beside any video so you can watch, think, and capture without tab-hopping.

Advanced Video Controls

Playback from 0.1x to 16x with audio pitch preserved, instant timestamp navigation, and full keyboard shortcuts for efficient control.

Local-First Privacy

Notes are stored locally on your device, ensuring data ownership and privacy with no dependency on a cloud service.

Use cases

Taking structured notes on YouTube coding tutorials with syntax-highlighted code and screenshots

Capturing university lectures from Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle directly into an Obsidian vault

Following multi-hour Udemy or Coursera courses with automatic timestamped summaries

Watching Bilibili or TED Talks in any language and generating notes in your native language

Reviewing local video files or conference recordings with visual AI note-taking

Studying design or UI tutorials where diagrams and on-screen visuals are essential

Building a searchable personal knowledge base of video lessons with local Markdown files