NULVEX vs PrivacyNotes
NULVEX
nulvex.androidircx.comPrivacyNotes
privacynotes.appSide by side
| Figure | NULVEX | PrivacyNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $0.40/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 5 |
| Spec score · Secure Notes Apps | 8.1 (#12) | 8.9 (#5) |
| Encryption | It offers end-to-end encrypted direct messages and channels using libsodium XChaCha20-Poly1305, with key pinning and verification. | The clients encrypt note data locally with XChaCha20-Poly1305 before synchronization. |
| Integrations | It detects and integrates with Bouncer/ZNC and includes a services panel for NickServ, ChanServ, HostServ, and OperServ. | Sign-in can use Google, Apple or GitHub, while Bitwarden, browser passwords and browser bookmarks have import paths. |
| Product | AndroidIRCx is an IRCv3-compliant IRC client for Android. | PrivacyNotes is an end-to-end encrypted personal workspace for notes, tasks, files, a vault, journals, and bookmarks. |
Plans
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
NULVEX
NULVEX is described on its supplied site as AndroidIRCx, an IRCv3-compliant client for Android. It connects to multiple IRC networks and servers at the same time, with channels, private messaging, server failover, IRCv3 capability negotiation, and DCC transfers. Direct messages and channels are listed as end-to-end encrypted with key verification, while IRC server links can use SSL/TLS. SASL handles server login. SOCKS5, HTTP CONNECT, and Tor proxies can be configured per network or globally. The app includes JavaScript scripting with event hooks, custom commands, and timers; scripting time can come from rewarded ads or become unlimited through a Pro purchase. Other tools include Bouncer/ZNC integration, a services panel for NickServ, ChanServ, HostServ, and OperServ, voice messages, camera and video capture, and encrypted backup and restore. Android 7.0 is required, with Android 11 recommended. Downloads are available through Google Play or a direct APK. The project is open source under GPL-3.0, with offline access listed. Google Play instead describes NULVEX as an encrypted notes vault, creating a product-description mismatch.
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.