Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Ghostery VS PrivacyNotes

Compare Ghostery VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

Ghostery logo Ghostery

Privacy tool for transparency and control

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
  • Ghostery Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-19
  • 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

Ghostery features and specs

  • Enhanced Privacy
    Ghostery blocks trackers that collect your personal data, helping protect your privacy while you browse the internet.
  • Ad Blocking
    It contains functionalities to block intrusive ads, providing a cleaner and faster browsing experience.
  • Customizable Blocking
    Users can customize which trackers and ads to block or allow, giving them control over their browsing experience.
  • Speed Improvement
    By blocking unwanted content and scripts, Ghostery can speed up page load times, resulting in a quicker browsing experience.
  • Detailed Analytics
    Ghostery provides detailed analytics about the trackers on each webpage, allowing users to understand who is tracking them.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The extension has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible for users of all technical levels.

Possible disadvantages of Ghostery

  • Potential Website Breakage
    Blocking certain trackers and scripts can sometimes result in websites not functioning as intended.
  • Learning Curve
    For users who want to take full advantage of customization options, there can be a learning curve to understand which trackers and scripts to block or allow.
  • Resource Usage
    While it saves data by blocking unwanted elements, Ghostery itself can consume system resources, particularly if many features are enabled.
  • Freemium Model Limitations
    Some features are restricted to premium users, which can be limiting for those who prefer free software.
  • Trust Issues
    As with any privacy tool, users must place a degree of trust in Ghostery not to misuse their data, and some users may have concerns due to its history and ownership.
  • Advertisement of Own Services
    In some versions, Ghostery has promoted its own services or partner services, which can be seen as intrusive by 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 Ghostery

Overall verdict

  • Ghostery is considered a good tool for users concerned with online privacy and those who wish to have more control over their data. It is praised for its user-friendly interface, effectiveness in blocking trackers, and the transparency it offers about what trackers are present on websites. However, as with any privacy tool, it is important to review its privacy policy and settings to ensure they align with your personal privacy goals.

Why this product is good

  • Ghostery is a browser extension designed to improve privacy and security by blocking trackers on websites you visit. It provides detailed insights into what trackers are operating on a page and allows users to control which trackers to allow or block. Ghostery enhances browsing speed and reduces exposure to targeted advertising by limiting the amount of data collected about users.

Recommended for

  • Users who prioritize online privacy and do not want to be tracked by web advertisers.
  • Individuals who are concerned about website performance and want to block extraneous scripts that can slow down browsing.
  • Tech-savvy users who wish to gain insight into the tracking ecosystem and customize their web privacy settings.

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

Ghostery videos

Block Website Tracking with Ghostery

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PrivacyNotes videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Ghostery and PrivacyNotes)
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Ad Blockers
100 100%
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Ghostery 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 Ghostery and PrivacyNotes

Ghostery Reviews

Best Ad Blockers in 2023: Adblock Plus vs AdGuard vs uBlock Origin and More
While Ghostery can be considered one of the free browser extensions on our list, itรขย€ย™s the admittedly expensive paid plan that gets you all the nice things: detailed insights, real-time analytics and a private replacement for your default search engine. If youรขย€ย™re willing to pay, itรขย€ย™s certainly one to consider.
10 Best FREE Anti Tracking Software In 2023 [TOP SELECTIVE]
Ghostery is the perfect tool you need to become an online ghost and surf the internet without the data getting traced back to you. This tool ensures data anonymity to keep your data safe, ensuring that your private data is hidden in an untraceable region.
Best Ad Blockers
Additionally, the checkbox for Ghostery Rewards is completely optional. Ghostery Rewards uses your browsing data to create a customized page of offers for you but is completely optional. These offers are only viewable if you click the gift icon in the bottom right of the โ€œDetailedโ€ Ghostery window and are never shown on pages you visit.
8 BEST Ad Blockers For Chrome In 2020 [Free Pop Up Blockers]
Ghostery is an open-source, free ad blocker. It uses smart blocking technology that optimizes your browsing experience by blocking ads and stopping trackers. Their user-friendly interface allows you to customize what you wish to block and it can also provide you with analytics.
14 Best Ad Blockers in 2020
It profits by selling anonymous data to third parties, which is what allows Ghostery to remain free for all users and itโ€™s completely safe. However, if you donโ€™t like the idea of sharing anonymous information, we suggest you opt out of this service.
Source: www.wizcase.com

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.

What are some alternatives?

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

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.

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

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