Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

OpenVLT vs PrivacyNotes

OpenVLT

openvlt.com

PrivacyNotes

privacynotes.app

Side by side

FigureOpenVLTPrivacyNotes
Price fromFree$0.40/mo
Free planYesYes
Free trial——
Open source—Yes
WebYesYes
Windows—Yes
macOSYesYes
LinuxYesYes
iOS—Yes
Android—Yes
API—Yes
Self-hostedYes—
Plans published15
Spec score · Secure Notes Apps7.7 (#19)8.9 (#5)
EncryptionLocked notes use AES-256-GCM with a key derived from the lock password using PBKDF2; the key stays in the browser.The clients encrypt note data locally with XChaCha20-Poly1305 before synchronization.

Plans

OpenVLT

  • Self-hosted open-sourceFree

OpenVLT 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

OpenVLT

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

Visit openvlt.com

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