Dash vs PrivacyNotes
Dash
dashnote.io
PrivacyNotes
privacynotes.appSide by side
| Figure | Dash | PrivacyNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $0.40/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 9 | 5 |
| Spec score · Secure Notes Apps | 8.9 (#4) | 8.9 (#5) |
| Encryption | Locked notes use AES-256-GCM with keys derived through PBKDF2-SHA256 using 600,000 iterations. | The clients encrypt note data locally with XChaCha20-Poly1305 before synchronization. |
| Exports | Dash exports pages or folders as Markdown, DOCX and PDF, and supports encrypted .dashpack backups. | Notes can be exported as Markdown, HTML, PDF or encrypted backups. |
| Integrations | Ollama,LM Studio | Sign-in can use Google, Apple or GitHub, while Bitwarden, browser passwords and browser bookmarks have import paths. |
| Open source | Dash is open source under the MIT license. | The web, desktop, and mobile apps and their encryption code are published on GitHub under the AGPL. |
| Product | Dash is a private, encrypted notes app for Mac and iPhone. | PrivacyNotes is an end-to-end encrypted personal workspace for notes, tasks, files, a vault, journals, and bookmarks. |
Plans
Dash
- Web PWA / iPhonePrice not published
- Dash for Mac$14.99 a month
- 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
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
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.
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.