Lotus Notes, later IBM Notes and today HCL Notes, is the desktop client for email, calendars and business applications that run on HCL Domino Server. The three names describe the same product under three owners: Lotus Development launched it in 1989, IBM renamed it IBM Notes in 2013, and HCL has developed it as HCL Notes since 2019. The current release is HCL Notes 2026 (version 14.5.1), and many enterprises still rely on it for secure mail and custom applications.
RockTeam has supported Notes through all three eras and is an official HCL Business Partner. For hands on help, see our HCL Domino and Notes consulting and support services.
| Name | Era | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus Notes | 1989 to 2012 | Launched by Lotus Development as groupware for secure, replicated documents and email; IBM acquired Lotus in 1995 and kept the Lotus brand |
| IBM Notes | 2013 to 2019 | IBM dropped the Lotus brand and released IBM Notes 9 in 2013 |
| HCL Notes | 2019 to today | HCL acquired Notes and Domino in 2019 and resumed regular major releases, from Notes 11 to Notes 2026 (14.5.1) |
People still search for and talk about Lotus Notes, IBM Notes and HCL Notes interchangeably, and applications built under any of the three names generally still run today.
| Capability | What users get |
|---|---|
| Secure mail with encryption and Notes ID based security | |
| Calendar and scheduling | Meetings, rooms, resources and delegation |
| Business applications | Custom Domino applications for workflow, approvals, case management and document libraries |
| Offline work | Local replicas of mail and applications that sync when back online |
| AI (14.5 and later) | Domino IQ powered summarize and reply assistance when enabled by administrators |
On the server side, Notes connects to HCL Domino; see HCL Domino Server explained.
| Client | Platform | Use |
|---|---|---|
| HCL Notes client | Windows, macOS and Linux | Full mail, calendar and application access |
| HCL Nomad | Web browsers, iOS and Android | Runs Notes applications without installing the desktop client |
| HCL Verse | Web and mobile | Modern webmail for Domino; replaced iNotes in Domino 14.5 |
| HCL Traveler | Phones and tablets | Synchronizes mail and calendars to native mobile apps |
Yes. Banks, manufacturers, government agencies and other regulated organizations still run Notes and Domino, mostly because of their custom applications and the platform’s security and on premises control. HCL continues to ship releases, and recent versions add modern authentication, Domino IQ AI and browser access through Nomad. Some organizations keep Notes for applications while moving email elsewhere; others migrate entirely.
| Version | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Notes 9 (2013) | First release under the IBM Notes name |
| Notes 10 (2018) and 11 (2019) | First releases developed with and by HCL; full HCL branding in 11 |
| Notes 12 | 64-bit Windows client from 12.0.2 and continued modernization |
| Notes 14 and 14.5 (June 2025) | Platform refresh, Domino IQ, passkey and OIDC support on the server side |
| Notes 2026 (14.5.1, March 2026) | Smoother interface, improved workspace and calendar, OIDC login in the client |
Older IBM Notes 9 and 10 releases are out of standard support. Our HCL Domino upgrade guide covers moving to current versions.
RockTeam provides L1 to L3 Notes and Domino helpdesk support for end users and applications; see how a Domino helpdesk works.
Notes access is licensed through HCL Domino user licenses; see Domino licensing and renewals. If you are moving mail off Notes, see Lotus Notes to Office 365 migration and migrating complex Notes applications; if you are staying, see Domino application modernization.
Need a Lotus Notes consultant?
RockTeam’s US based Notes and Domino consultants handle support, helpdesk, upgrades, renewals and migrations for Lotus, IBM and HCL Notes. RockTeam is an official HCL Business Partner. Start with a no cost assessment.
Talk to a Notes ConsultantLotus Notes is a desktop client for email, calendars and business applications that run on Domino Server. It became IBM Notes in 2013 and HCL Notes in 2019.
Yes. They are the same product under three owners: Lotus Development, IBM and HCL. Applications built under any of the names generally still run on current releases.
Yes. Many regulated enterprises and government organizations still use Notes for secure mail and custom applications, and HCL continues to release new versions.
HCL Notes 2026, version 14.5.1, released in March 2026.
RockTeam, an official HCL Business Partner, provides Notes and Domino consulting, L1 to L3 helpdesk, upgrades, renewals and migrations for Lotus, IBM and HCL Notes.
