Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Centered VS PrivacyNotes

Compare Centered VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

Centered logo Centered

Centered helps you get into a Flow State faster and stay there longer so you can do your best work.

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
  • Centered Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-25
  • 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 $48.0 / One-off (Early adopter price)
Platforms
MacOS Web Firefox Google Chrome Edge Safari
Release Date
2026 June
Startup details
Country
Switzerland
Employees
1 - 9

Centered features and specs

  • Focus Sessions
    Centered offers structured focus sessions that help users maintain concentration on tasks by providing timed work periods followed by breaks.
  • Distraction Blocking
    The app can block distracting websites and applications, allowing users to focus better on their work.
  • Music for Productivity
    Centered provides curated music tracks designed to boost concentration, helping users enter a state of deep focus more easily.
  • Task Management
    Users can organize their tasks and to-do lists within the app, aiding in better task management and prioritization.
  • Community and Accountability
    Centered fosters a community where users can join focus groups or accountability partners, enhancing motivation and commitment.

Possible disadvantages of Centered

  • Subscription Cost
    To access all features, users may need to subscribe to a paid plan, which can be a drawback for those looking for free options.
  • Learning Curve
    Some users might experience a learning curve when setting up the app and using all of its features effectively.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version of Centered may have limitations, restricting the availability of certain productivity tools unless upgraded.
  • Dependence on External Distractions
    While blocking distractions, users might become too reliant on the app to manage distractions rather than cultivating personal discipline.
  • Platform Dependency
    Centered may not be available on all devices or platforms, potentially limiting accessibility for some users.

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 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

Centered videos

Centered Review: Improve Productivity with AI Coaching and Focus Music

More videos:

  • Review - Centered Review: Is THIS the Best Productivity App in 2023?
  • Review - Centered Review: AI-powered coaching, Pomodoro timers to boost productivity

PrivacyNotes videos

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

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Centered and PrivacyNotes)
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Task Management
91 91%
9% 9
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Centered 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 Centered and PrivacyNotes

Centered Reviews

We have no reviews of Centered yet.
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PrivacyNotes Reviews

  1. 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, Centered seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 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.

Centered mentions (5)

  • Obsidian as all-in-one daily note(calendar, reminder, task management, ledger...)
    - weak for bodydoubling method: I still need to use separate app for bodydoubling. i.e. cen****d.app. This bodydoubling app makes me to focus on task by sharing my current task with other users. This also has `always on top with minimized UI` option, which works great for the focus. However, it causes another clutter for me because I need to write down the task in a separate app again. I want to replace it if... Source: about 3 years ago
  • What is the best purchase you have made to make life with adhd easier?
    Centered.app application helps me a lot to work and to stay focused. It seems - the best and only task management systems designed for people with ADHD. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Desktop app which reminds you to stay on your task/ stop even work distractions?
    The centered.app does look good and the most close to what I am looking for compared to the hundreds I have googled today, I am giving it a go, thank you! Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Top 5 Online Study Websites and Virtual Work Spaces
    I also recently discovered centered.app which is free for students. Source: about 4 years ago
  • A Fun Linear Integration!!!
    You can learn more at centered.app or feel free to message me!! I'd be happy to offer you all my personal onboarding too!! Source: over 4 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 Centered and PrivacyNotes, you can also consider the following products

Magic Flow - Generate high-converting landing page copy using GPT-3

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

Llama Life - Say goodbye to never-ending lists, and hello to daily bliss

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

Blitzit - A simple to-do list & timer that gives you superpowers

Simplenote - The simplest way to keep notes. Light, clean, and free. Simplenote is now available for iOS, Android, Mac, and the web.