Which platforms does Linwood Butterfly run on?

Updated

Linwood Butterfly runs on Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and in your browser, with an iOS preview also available. That means you can pick a native app for your main device and still open the same kind of canvas in a browser elsewhere, rather than being locked to one operating system.

Platform options at a glance

Platform How you run it Notes from the site
Android Downloadable app Listed among supported platforms
Windows Downloadable app Listed among supported platforms
macOS Downloadable app Listed among supported platforms
Linux Downloadable app Listed among supported platforms
Browser Web app "Try the web app" is offered alongside the download
iOS Preview Described as a preview, not a full release

Choosing between the download and the web app

The site presents two entry points: Download Butterfly and Try the web app. Both lead to the same canvas concept, so the choice is mostly about your situation:

  • Use the downloadable app when you want a persistent install on Android, Windows, macOS, or Linux — for example, a device you carry to class or meetings and use regularly.
  • Use the web app when you are on a machine where you cannot or do not want to install software, or when you just want to try Butterfly before committing to a download.

If your device is an iPhone or iPad, the iOS option is a preview, so treat it as an early look rather than a finished platform.

What stays consistent across platforms

Butterfly is built around an infinite canvas for handwriting, sketching, annotating, and organizing, and the site describes it as running "everywhere" — from your desk to your next class or meeting. Several features matter when you move between devices:

  • Local by default. You can keep working without an internet connection, and documents live on your device unless you choose to save them elsewhere.
  • Bring your own cloud. You can connect WebDAV services such as Nextcloud to sync, back up, and edit notes anywhere.
  • Document formats. Work is kept in the documented .bfly and .tbfly formats.
  • Open source. Butterfly is free and open source under the GNU AGPL-3.0 license.

Practical way to decide

  1. Identify the device you will actually draw on most — a tablet with a stylus, a laptop, or a desktop.
  2. If that device is Android, Windows, macOS, or Linux, start with the downloadable app.
  3. If you need to work on a machine you do not control, open the web app instead.
  4. If you are on iOS, check the preview and expect it to be less complete than the other platforms.
  5. If you want your notes available in more than one place, set up a WebDAV service like Nextcloud rather than relying on a single device.

The main limitation to keep in mind is that the site does not describe feature parity between the native apps, the web app, and the iOS preview, so if a specific tool matters to you, confirm it on the platform you plan to use.