Dash vs OpenVLT
Dash
dashnote.ioOpenVLT
openvlt.comSide by side
| Figure | Dash | OpenVLT |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Spec score · Secure Notes Apps | 8.9 (#4) | 7.7 (#19) |
| Editor | Dash provides a block editor with wiki-style links, folders and tags. | The Markdown editor includes wiki-links, foldable headings, slash commands, and more than 20 extensions. |
| Encryption | Locked notes use AES-256-GCM with keys derived through PBKDF2-SHA256 using 600,000 iterations. | Locked notes use AES-256-GCM with a key derived from the lock password using PBKDF2; the key stays in the browser. |
Plans
Dash
- Web PWA / iPhonePrice not published
- Dash Sync Monthly$4.99 a month
- Dash Sync Yearly$47.99 a year
- Dash for iPhoneFree
- Dash Web PWAFree
- Dash Sync monthly$4.99 a month
- Dash for Mac$14.99, paid once
- Dash Sync yearly$47.99 a year
In their own words
Dash
Dash is a private notes app for Mac and iPhone, with a web PWA that also supports Android. Notes remain on the device and the app works offline unless sync is enabled. Locked notes use AES-256-GCM encryption, with keys derived through PBKDF2-SHA256 using 600,000 iterations. App locking supports a master password, Touch ID or Face ID, and configurable auto-lock timers. A duress password opens decoy notes while actual notes remain encrypted; notes can also be configured to delete after one hour, one day, one week, or one month. Its block editor includes wiki-style links, folders, and tags. Local AI can connect to Ollama, LM Studio, LocalAI, Jan, and other OpenAI-compatible servers running on localhost, and rejects non-local endpoints. Pages and folders export as Markdown, DOCX, or PDF, and encrypted.dashpack backups are supported. Dash is open source under the MIT license. The web PWA and iPhone options are free. Dash for Mac is $14.99 a month, billed as lifetime access with no subscription required. Sync is $4.99 a month or $47.99 a year, each with a 7-day free trial.