Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Tasks VS PrivacyNotes

Compare Google Tasks VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

Google Tasks logo Google Tasks

to-do list app that integrates with Gmail and Google Calendar

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
  • Google Tasks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21
  • 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.

Google Tasks

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

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

Google Tasks features and specs

  • Integration with Google Services
    Google Tasks integrates seamlessly with other Google services such as Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Assistant. This allows users to easily manage tasks across different Google platforms without needing to switch apps.
  • Simplicity
    Google Tasks offers a straightforward, uncluttered interface. It is easy to use for keeping track of basic to-do lists and tasks, which is great for users who don't need a lot of complex features.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Google Tasks is available on multiple platforms, including web, Android, and iOS. This ensures that users can access and manage their tasks from any device.
  • Subtask Support
    Google Tasks allows users to create subtasks, providing a way to break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
  • Free to Use
    Google Tasks is free to use. There are no subscription fees, which makes it an attractive option for users seeking a cost-effective task management solution.

Possible disadvantages of Google Tasks

  • Limited Features
    Google Tasks lacks advanced features that are available in other task management apps, such as tags/labels, project management tools, and time tracking.
  • No Collaboration Tools
    Google Tasks does not offer collaboration features, making it unsuitable for team projects or shared task management.
  • Basic Notifications
    The app provides only basic notification options. Advanced reminders and custom notification settings are not available.
  • No Offline Access
    Google Tasks requires an internet connection to access. Users cannot manage their tasks offline, which can be inconvenient in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Limited Integration with Third-Party Apps
    Unlike some other task management tools, Google Tasks has limited integration with third-party applications, which may restrict users who rely on other productivity tools.

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 Google Tasks

Overall verdict

  • Google Tasks is a solid choice for users looking for a straightforward and unobtrusive task management tool. However, its simplicity might limit power users or those seeking more advanced features, and enhancements available in other dedicated project management tools.

Why this product is good

  • Google Tasks is integrated with other Google services like Gmail and Google Calendar, making it convenient for users who are already within the Google ecosystem. It offers a simple, minimalistic interface that is enough for personal task management and allows for seamless synchronization across devices. Basic features like subtasks and due dates can help users stay organized without being overwhelmed by complex features.

Recommended for

    Users who are integrated into the Google ecosystem and need a simple, no-frills task management tool. Ideal for individuals or small teams who require basic task organization without advanced project management features.

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

Google Tasks videos

Google Tasks Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Use Google Tasks (Desktop & App Tutorial)
  • Review - Top 5 Google Tasks Tips You Should Use Right Now! (2019)

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 Google Tasks and PrivacyNotes)
Task Management
98 98%
2% 2
Journal
0 0%
100% 100
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0
Document Encryption
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Google Tasks 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 Google Tasks and PrivacyNotes

Google Tasks Reviews

11 Ayanza Alternatives
Google Tasks- an app that assists you to manage, capturing, and editing your work from anywhere and at any time. You can sync your calendar across all of your devices and connect it to Gmail and Google Calendar. You may access, edit, and manage tasks from any device to learn how developers get and distribute your data. Moreover, You can improve the Google Projects user...
Top 8 cloud-based โ€˜to-doโ€™ apps to stay ahead in 2021
Google Tasks lets you take control of your task management and start managing your to-do list on the go. You can manage, capture, and edit your tasks from anywhere, at any time, with to-dos that sync across all your devices. Integrations with Gmail and Google Calendar help you get tasks done faster. Google Tasks is completely free to download from the Google Play Store and...
Source: clariti.app

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.

What are some alternatives?

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

Todoist - Todoist is a to-do list that helps you get organized, at work and in life.

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.

Trello - Infinitely flexible. Incredibly easy to use. Great mobile apps. It's free. Trello keeps track of everything, from the big picture to the minute details.

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

Remember The Milk - Remember The Milk is a task and time management application for mobile devices.

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