Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

AdBlock VS PrivacyNotes

Compare AdBlock 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.

AdBlock logo AdBlock

Ad blocker for Chrome, Safari and Opera on desktop and Safari for iOS devices.

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
  • AdBlock Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-26
  • 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.

AdBlock

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-
Startup details
Country
United States

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

AdBlock features and specs

  • Improved Browsing Experience
    AdBlock removes intrusive ads, allowing web pages to load faster and users to enjoy a cleaner browsing experience.
  • Enhanced Privacy
    By blocking ads, AdBlock helps reduce tracking by ad networks, thereby enhancing the user's privacy online.
  • Reduced Data Usage
    Since ads often contain large images, videos, or animations, blocking them can significantly reduce data usage, which is beneficial for users with limited bandwidth.
  • Security
    AdBlock can protect users from malicious ads that might contain malware or phishing links.
  • Customization
    AdBlock offers customization options, allowing users to whitelist specific websites and control what types of ads to block.
  • Engaging Gameplay
    AdBlock: The Game offers fun and interactive gameplay that combines the theme of ad-blocking with entertaining mechanics, keeping players engaged.
  • Educational Experience
    The game provides an educational insight into how ad-blocking works and raises awareness of online advertising strategies, making it informative for players.
  • Free to Play
    Players can enjoy AdBlock: The Game for free, making it accessible to a wide audience without any initial financial commitment.
  • Supports Original AdBlock
    Playing the game supports the original AdBlock service, promoting their mission and possibly funding further developments.

Possible disadvantages of AdBlock

  • Hurts Content Creators
    Many websites rely on ad revenue to fund their content. By blocking ads, users may inadvertently reduce the income generated by these sites.
  • Potential Website Breakage
    Some websites may not function properly or fully when ads are blocked, leading to a degraded user experience.
  • Ethical Considerations
    Blocking ads raises ethical questions regarding fair compensation for free content and services provided by websites.
  • Circumvention by Publishers
    Some websites have started using anti-adblock measures, restricting access to their content if they detect the use of ad blockers, forcing users to disable the extension.
  • Resource Usage
    Running AdBlock as a browser extension can increase the consumption of system resources, potentially slowing down the browser.
  • Limited Audience
    The theme and premise of the game may appeal primarily to users already interested in digital advertising or ad-blocking, making its target audience niche.
  • In-Game Advertisements
    Despite being a game about ad-blocking, it might use in-game ads as part of the gameplay mechanics, which could be ironic or off-putting to some players.
  • Potential Over-Simplification
    The game might oversimplify the complexities of internet advertisements and ad-blocking, potentially leading to a misunderstanding of the topic.
  • Derivative Experience
    Players looking for novel or groundbreaking gameplay might find it derivative if the game relies heavily on traditional ad-blocking themes.

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 AdBlock

Overall verdict

  • AdBlock is generally considered a good and reliable choice for users looking to mitigate the annoyance and privacy concerns associated with online advertising. It is easy to install, widely supported across different browsers, and offers customizable options for allowing certain ads or whitelisting specific websites.

Why this product is good

  • AdBlock (getadblock.com) is effective for users who want to block intrusive advertisements, enhance browsing speed, and increase online privacy. It is designed to remove ads from websites, thus improving the overall user experience on the internet. Additionally, blocking ads can lead to faster loading times and reduced data consumption.

Recommended for

    AdBlock is recommended for individuals who frequently browse the internet and wish to have a cleaner, more streamlined viewing experience without ads. It is particularly useful for those concerned about online privacy and data usage, or for anyone who is frustrated with the distraction caused by excessive advertising on websites.

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

AdBlock videos

Dear AdBlock, Kiss My A$$!

PrivacyNotes videos

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

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to AdBlock and PrivacyNotes)
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
Journal
0 0%
100% 100
Ad Blockers
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing AdBlock 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 AdBlock and PrivacyNotes

AdBlock Reviews

  1. Easy to use and makes browsing cleaner

    I've been using AdBlock for a while now, and I really like it. It blocks annoying pop-ups, video ads, making websites load faster and look cleaner. Itโ€™s easy to use and works seamlessly in the background.


List of 10 Best Ad Blockers in 2024
In 2024, one of thะต best ad blockะตrs that continuะตs to dominatะต thะต markะตt is AdBlock. With its robust fะตaturะตs and usะตr-friะตndly intะตrfacะต, AdBlock has proven to be a rะตliablะต choice for blocking unwantะตd advะตrtisะตmะตnts across various platforms. It ะตfficiะตntly ะตliminatะตs intrusivะต ads, pop-ups, and ะตvะตn vidะตo ads, providing a sะตamlะตss and unintะตrruptะตd browsing ะตxpะตriะตncะต.
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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.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: Capacities, Evernote, Notion, Obsidian.md
  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, AdBlock seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 24 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.

AdBlock mentions (24)

  • Are there any good and free ad blocker??
    Https://getadblock.com/en/ This one works fine with me on Opera GX. You can go to your browser's web store, like the Chrome Web Store and download one. If you switch to a browser like Brave or Opera GX, you can have a built-in one, which is easier. Source: about 3 years ago
  • R.I.P soap2day
    Interesting, I usually don't get pop ups on soap2day or that site(only if I miss click on the play button or something similar sometimes). I use an ad blocker though so maybe thats why. I get WAY more when I use my iphone though. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Help!
    If I were you I would contact official steam support at the Steam Help Page, maybe they'll be able to help you, make sure to use an AD-Block or a VPN to stay safe out here on the internet. Wish you good luck. Source: about 3 years ago
  • 1337x saying I need a VPN?
    This issue just appeared today, I've never seen it before. I'm using NordVPN with kill switch enabled, and I already checked with https://www.iplocation.net/ and http://checkmyip.torrentprivacy.com/ to confirm I'm routing all traffic through the VPN. I tried getting a new IP from Nord, but it still didn't fix it. I'm using this ad block plugin in chrome https://getadblock.com/en/ , so I don't think this is an ad. Source: over 3 years ago
  • With all the talk of blocking the Tbell Pete and, what do you all do for other ads?
    I have an AdBlock extension for my Chrome browser on desktop: https://getadblock.com/en/. Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

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 AdBlock and PrivacyNotes, you can also consider the following products

uBlock Origin - Popular and efficient blocker for Chromium, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Thunderbird.

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.

Adblock Plus - AdBlock Plus is a browser extension for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and several other popular browsers that prevents intrusive ads like pop-ups and malicious code from appearing on websites you visit.

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

AdGuard - Surf the Web Ad-Free and Safely. Shield up!

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