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Cipher Notes vs PrivacyNotes

Cipher Notes

cipherapps.github.io

PrivacyNotes

privacynotes.app

Side by side

FigureCipher NotesPrivacyNotes
Price fromFree$0.40/mo
Free planYesYes
Free trial——
Open source—Yes
Web—Yes
Windows—Yes
macOS—Yes
Linux—Yes
iOS—Yes
AndroidYesYes
API—Yes
Plans published15
Spec score · Secure Notes Apps7.8 (#17)8.9 (#5)
EncryptionNotes are encrypted with AES-256-GCM via Android Keystore.The clients encrypt note data locally with XChaCha20-Poly1305 before synchronization.
Open sourceCipher Notes is MIT licensed, and its source code is publicly auditable.The web, desktop, and mobile apps and their encryption code are published on GitHub under the AGPL.

Plans

Cipher Notes

  • FreeFree

Cipher Notes pricing →

PrivacyNotes

  • FreeFree
  • 1 GB storage add-on$4.80 a year
  • 2 GB storage add-on$8.40 a year
  • 5 GB storage add-on$18 a year
  • Pro$48, paid once

PrivacyNotes pricing →

In their own words

Cipher Notes

Cipher Notes has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.

Visit cipherapps.github.io

PrivacyNotes

PrivacyNotes is an end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes, tasks, files, a vault, journals, and bookmarks. It encrypts notes on the device before synchronization using XChaCha20-Poly1305, with keys derived from a 12-word BIP-39 phrase. Its local-first design supports reading, writing, and searching offline, then syncs changes when connectivity returns. The synchronized copy is stored in Zurich, Switzerland, as encrypted data rather than readable note text. Users can create a vault without email or sign in with Google, Apple, or GitHub; provider sign-in offers server-held or device-only key custody. Imports cover many note, journal, password, and bookmark services, along with Markdown files. PrivacyNotes has no AI features or background AI processing and does not train models on user content. Its web, desktop, and mobile apps and encryption code are published on GitHub under the AGPL. The Free plan costs nothing forever; Pro costs $48, paid once. Under self-custody, losing the phrase without a signed-in device means the company cannot recover notes.

Visit privacynotes.app