Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

15Five VS PrivacyNotes

Compare 15Five VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

15Five logo 15Five

15Five software elevates the performance and engagement of employees by consistently asking questions and starting the right conversations.

PrivacyNotes logo PrivacyNotes

Zero-knowledge encrypted notes, tasks, journals, files, and passwords in one app. Your keys never leave your device. One-time price, no subscription. Hosted in Switzerland.
Visit Website
  • 15Five Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-17
  • PrivacyNotes Journal
    Journal //
    2026-06-25
  • PrivacyNotes Settings
    Settings //
    2026-06-25
  • PrivacyNotes Website
    Website //
    2026-06-25

PrivacyNotes is a zero-knowledge encrypted workspace that brings your notes, tasks, journals, files, and passwords into one app, so you stop juggling four separate subscriptions.

Everything is encrypted on your device with XChaCha20-Poly1305 before it ever syncs. Your keys are derived from a recovery phrase that never touches our servers, so we cannot read your content, your filenames, or anything else. This is real zero-knowledge, not a marketing label.

Five pillars, one encrypted app:

  • Notes - a live markdown editor with note-to-note links, tags, and fast full-text search
  • Tasks - native checklists and task management next to your notes
  • Journals - daily entries with built-in mood, sleep, and medication tracking
  • Files - an encrypted vault for images, audio, and attachments
  • Vault - lock sensitive notes and logins behind a PIN or biometrics

Built for privacy, not surveillance:

  • No ads, no trackers, no analytics, ever
  • Sign in anonymously with a recovery phrase or with Google. No email or personal details required.
  • Open core: the encryption layer and database schema are published for independent review
  • Burn notes: self-destructing shares the server cannot read

Pricing that respects you:

  • Free covers every pillar with two-device sync and offline use
  • Pro is a one-time free, not a subscription, adding unlimited devices, note history, and more storage
  • Optional storage add-ons when you need them

Works on web, macOS, and soon iOS, Android, Windows and Linux with a responsive mobile layout. Import from Apple Notes, Standard Notes, Google Keep, Obsidian, and markdown in a few clicks.

PrivacyNotes

$ Details
freemium $48 / One-off (Early adopter price)
Platforms
MacOS Web Firefox Google Chrome Edge Safari
Release Date
2026 June
Startup details
Country
Switzerland
Employees
1 - 9

15Five features and specs

  • Employee Feedback
    15Five allows employees to provide regular feedback, fostering open communication and addressing issues promptly.
  • Performance Tracking
    The platform helps track and evaluate employee performance, aiding in goal-setting and performance reviews.
  • Engagement Insights
    15Five offers insights into employee engagement levels, helping leaders to identify and address areas requiring improvement.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software is designed with a user-friendly interface, making it easy for employees and managers to navigate and use the tools available.
  • Integration Capability
    15Five integrates with various tools like Slack, Salesforce, and G Suite, allowing for seamless workflow integration.
  • Employee Engagement
    Emplify helps organizations measure employee engagement through surveys and provides actionable insights to improve workplace culture.
  • Data-Driven Insights
    The platform utilizes data analytics to identify trends and areas for improvement, helping organizations make informed decisions.
  • Customizable Surveys
    Users can tailor feedback surveys to suit their specific needs, ensuring they gather relevant information for their organization.
  • Consultative Support
    Emplify offers expert guidance and support to help organizations interpret data and implement changes effectively.

Possible disadvantages of 15Five

  • Cost
    The pricing can be high for small businesses or startups with limited budgets.
  • Learning Curve
    Some users may find a learning curve initially, especially if they are not familiar with similar performance management tools.
  • Customization Limitations
    There may be limitations in terms of customization to fit specific organizational needs or unique workflows.
  • Reporting Features
    Some users have noted that the reporting features can be limited or less flexible compared to other dedicated reporting tools.
  • Mobile Experience
    The mobile application does not offer all the features available on the desktop version, which might be inconvenient for on-the-go users.
  • Implementation Time
    Setting up and fully utilizing the Emplify platform can take some time, which may be a drawback for organizations looking for quick solutions.
  • Dependence on User Participation
    The effectiveness of the platform heavily relies on employee participation in surveys, which can be variable.
  • Complexity of Data
    For organizations without a dedicated HR or data analytics team, interpreting the detailed data and insights may be challenging.

PrivacyNotes features and specs

  • Privacy-focused
    PrivacyNotes is designed with privacy as a core principle, aiming to keep your notes secure and away from third-party access, which appeals to users concerned about data confidentiality.
  • Encryption
    The service typically emphasizes encryption to protect note content, meaning your data is scrambled and less vulnerable to unauthorized reading if intercepted or stored.
  • Ephemeral notes
    Many privacy note services offer self-destructing or temporary notes that automatically delete after being read or after a set time, reducing the digital footprint left behind.
  • Simple and lightweight
    Such tools often provide a clean, minimal interface focused on quick note creation and sharing without unnecessary features, making it easy to use.
  • No account required
    Privacy-oriented note apps frequently allow you to create and share notes without registration, lowering the barrier to entry and reducing personal data collection.

Analysis of 15Five

Overall verdict

  • 15Five is generally considered a strong choice for organizations looking to enhance their performance management processes. Its focus on continuous feedback and alignment with organizational goals makes it beneficial for promoting employee engagement and development.

Why this product is good

  • 15Five is a performance management platform designed to improve employee engagement and productivity through continuous feedback, OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), and performance reviews. It's known for its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and ability to foster a positive workplace culture. The platform encourages regular check-ins and communication between employees and managers, helping to identify issues early and facilitate personal and professional growth.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized businesses looking to improve their performance review processes.
  • Organizations aiming to create a culture of continuous feedback and communication.
  • Managers seeking tools to set and track goals, support employee development, and increase engagement.
  • Remote or hybrid teams needing a platform to facilitate regular check-ins and updates.

Analysis of PrivacyNotes

Overall verdict

  • I don't have verified, specific information about PrivacyNotes (privacynotes.app) to make a reliable assessment of its quality, security practices, or features. I cannot confirm details about its encryption methods, privacy policy, company background, or user reviews.

Why this product is good

  • Unable to verify claims about encryption or zero-knowledge architecture without independent confirmation
  • No access to current user reviews, ratings, or reputation data for this specific service
  • Cannot confirm company legitimacy, ownership, or track record
  • Unable to verify uptime, reliability, or actual security audit results
  • No information available on pricing structure or terms of service specifics

Recommended for

  • Before using, research independently via security audit reports if available
  • Check for third-party security reviews or penetration testing results
  • Verify the company's privacy policy and data handling practices directly on their site
  • Look for user reviews on independent platforms rather than relying on marketing claims
  • Consider established, well-audited alternatives if handling highly sensitive information

15Five videos

How 15Five Soothed the Annual Review Grinch

More videos:

  • Review - Emplify Customer Review | Jill Lehman, VP & CPO at Ontario Systems
  • Review - 15Five Continuous Performance Management Software
  • Review - 15Five: Employee Engagement Software Overview

PrivacyNotes videos

No PrivacyNotes videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to 15Five and PrivacyNotes)
HR
100 100%
0% 0
Journal
0 0%
100% 100
HR Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing 15Five and PrivacyNotes.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

PrivacyNotes's answer:

Honestly? We have no idea, and that is the entire point. Signup is anonymous (a recovery phrase or Google, no email or personal details), the app ships zero analytics and zero trackers, and zero-knowledge encryption means we cannot see who you are or what you store. We could not name a single customer if we tried. A privacy product that tracked its users closely enough to brag about them would be missing the plot.

What makes your product unique?

PrivacyNotes's answer:

PrivacyNotes is the only zero-knowledge encrypted workspace that keeps notes, tasks, journals, files, and a password vault behind one set of on-device keys. Most privacy apps do one of those well and rent it to you monthly. We do all five, encrypt everything with XChaCha20-Poly1305 before it leaves your device, and charge once instead of forever. The encryption core is open core, published so the claims can be verified rather than trusted.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

PrivacyNotes's answer:

Three reasons:

  • One app, not four subscriptions. Standard Notes, Day One, and Lunatask each rent you a slice (notes, journaling, tasks). PrivacyNotes covers all of them plus files and a vault, for a fair one-time fee.
  • Real zero-knowledge. Your keys come from a recovery phrase that never touches our servers, so we cannot read your notes, your filenames, or your metadata. Some encrypted apps leave note or task metadata in the clear; we do not.
  • Verifiable, not just trusted. The crypto and schema are open core and published for review, and there is no ad, tracker, or analytics anywhere in the app.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

PrivacyNotes's answer:

Privacy-conscious individuals and independent professionals who handle information they would not want a vendor reading: lawyers, journalists, healthcare and mental-health practitioners, developers, security specialists, researchers, and founders. It also fits anyone who simply wants one private home for their notes, tasks, journaling, and wellness tracking instead of spreading them across surveillance-funded apps.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

PrivacyNotes's answer:

React, TypeScript, Vite and Tailwind CSS.

What's the story behind your product?

PrivacyNotes's answer:

PrivacyNotes started from a simple frustration: staying organized meant scattering your life across half a dozen apps, most of which could read everything you typed and billed you monthly for the privilege. We wanted one place for notes, tasks, journals, files, and passwords, encrypted so thoroughly that the people running the servers could not read a word of it, and paid for once rather than forever. So we built the encryption first, made the keys live only on your device, and published the crypto as open core so the promise could be checked, not just believed. Everything else grew from one rule: your data is yours, and no one else's to mine.

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare 15Five and PrivacyNotes

15Five Reviews

Top 10 15Five Alternatives You Need to Know in 2024
While 15Five is a widely recognized performance management tool known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, companies might seek alternatives for several reasons. Some organizations may find that 15Five’s features do not fully align with their specific needs or industry requirements. Others may be looking for a more cost-effective solution, better...
Source: engagedly.com
11 Best 15Five Alternatives & Competitors for USA
15Five is a powerful performance management tool that allows companies to streamline communication and feedback processes within their organization. With features like weekly check-ins, employee recognition, and goal tracking, 15Five helps teams stay aligned and engaged. Managers can easily provide constructive feedback to their team members through the platform, fostering...
Source: datalligence.ai
18 Best Culture Amp Alternatives and Competitors of 2024
Emplify offers an integrated Human Capital Management (HCM) solution designed to develop organizational capability and simplify daily operations. With a focus on performance management, learning, and organizational building, Emplify brings together essential elements to foster employee growth and streamline management processes.
Top 15Five Competitors & Alternatives To Consider For Engaging Employees
Unlock the secrets to enhancing employee engagement and performance with these top 15Five competitors and alternatives. Discover powerful platforms that can transform your workplace culture and drive success.
Source: perkupapp.com

PrivacyNotes Reviews

  1. Everything I Needed in One App

    This app checks every box for me. Clean interface, no learning curve, local-first encryption, and secure sync across all of my devices.

    The biggest surprise is how many apps it replaced. Instead of juggling separate apps for notes, habits, mood, activities, and important dates, everything lives in one place now. It's made staying organized a lot simpler.

    Paying once and knowing I won't lose access to my workflow because I canceled yet another subscription is incredibly refreshing. That peace of mind is worth a lot to me.

  2. Feature rich

    The best thing about this: No subscription model, it's a one-time fee for a lifetime license. But you can start for free with the generous freemium model. I only needed to upgrade to pro because I wanted to use the app on my phone, laptop and desktop. Highly recommended! Btw, it's a perfect markdown editor as well, not sure why they don't emphasize this more.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, 15Five seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

15Five mentions (2)

  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (July 2021)
    15Five | Remote: US, Poland, & Ukraine | Full-time | https://15five.com Multiple engineering and design roles, all fully remote: - Remote: Poland or Ukraine - Backend Engineer: https://jobs.lever.co/15five/bf43681a-74b7-493e-a8c8-9b568af10c04 - Remote: Poland or Ukraine - Android Mobile Engineer: https://jobs.lever.co/15five/9d42917c-c5ed-483e-b807-3243a3617377 - US-based only, remote - Senior Quality Assurance... - Source: Hacker News / about 5 years ago
  • Migrating to Terraform: a retrospective
    At 15Five we migrated to Terraform in 8 months with a 3-person team. It went smoothly and gave us more confidence in our AWS infrastructure. When it came to setup a new VPC for a customer, the hours we invested returned to us in a speedy and simple setup, a process that would have been a massive pain if we had done it manually. - Source: dev.to / about 6 years ago

PrivacyNotes mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PrivacyNotes yet. Tracking of PrivacyNotes recommendations started around Jun 2026.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing 15Five and PrivacyNotes, you can also consider the following products

Workleap - An employee survey platform with the mission of improving company culture. Measure and improve your culture in less than 5 minutes per month, with our simple surveys.

Obsidian.md - A second brain, for you, forever. Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files.

Qualtrics Employee Experience - Qualtrics Employee Experience Management Platform helps improve the way people make decisions by creating amazing employee experiences.

Standard Notes - A safe place for your notes, thoughts, and life's work

TINYpulse by WebMD Health Services - Increase Your Employee Engagement. Instantly.

Apple Notes - Apple Notes functions as a service for making short text notes.