Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Grid Diary VS PrivacyNotes

Compare Grid Diary VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

Grid Diary logo Grid Diary

The simplest way to get started with keeping a diary

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
  • Grid Diary Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-11
  • 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.

Grid Diary

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

Grid Diary features and specs

  • Customizable Grids
    Grid Diary allows users to customize their diary layout using grids. This helps in organizing thoughts, activities, and reflections more systematically.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The app offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and log entries without hassle.
  • Versatile Templates
    Grid Diary includes various templates that cater to different journaling needs, aiding users in maintaining a consistent journaling habit.
  • Cross-Platform Syncing
    Users can sync their diary entries across multiple devices, ensuring that their information is always up to date and accessible from anywhere.
  • Privacy Features
    The app provides security options such as password protection, ensuring that personal entries remain private and secure.

Possible disadvantages of Grid Diary

  • Subscription-Based Model
    Some advanced features of Grid Diary are locked behind a subscription paywall, which may not be ideal for users looking for a completely free solution.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, new users might need some time to get accustomed to its grid-based layout and various features.
  • Limited Export Options
    The app offers limited options for exporting entries, which might be inconvenient for users who want to share or store their diary outside the app.
  • Potential Overwhelming Customization
    The extensive customization options may be overwhelming for users who prefer a simpler, more straightforward journaling method.
  • Data Dependency
    As the app relies heavily on cloud syncing, users need a reliable internet connection to ensure their entries are backed up and synced across devices.

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 Grid Diary

Overall verdict

  • Grid Diary is a well-regarded journaling app particularly for those who appreciate structured reflection. Its innovative grid format and customizable prompts are beneficial for both beginners and experienced journalers who are looking to deepen their self-awareness and mindfulness practices.

Why this product is good

  • Grid Diary offers a unique approach to journaling compared to traditional diary apps by providing a grid format that prompts users with questions. This structure can help users reflect on various aspects of their daily life and promote self-discovery and mindfulness. The app allows for customization of prompts, giving users the flexibility to tailor the journaling experience to their personal needs. Additionally, Grid Diary includes features such as password protection, cloud syncing, and integration with other apps, which enhance its usability and security.

Recommended for

  • Individuals seeking structured journaling prompts
  • Users interested in self-improvement and reflection
  • People who prefer a digital journal with strong customization options
  • Anyone looking for an app that integrates daily life and mindfulness practices

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

Grid Diary videos

Grid Diary Review: Journal across your day!

More videos:

  • Review - Grid Diary Premium V1.6.1 (2020) | Updated On (07.08.2020) | Premium Application Review
  • Review - Review: Chuyu Culture B6 1 Day 1 Page Grid Diary

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 Grid Diary and PrivacyNotes)
Note Taking
93 93%
7% 7
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
100% 100
Todos
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Grid Diary 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 Grid Diary and PrivacyNotes

Grid Diary Reviews

The 8 best journal apps of 2022
This gives you a detailed and bird's-eye view of what's happening in your life, one day at a time. You can review entries using the built-in calendar, or you can use the Titles view to review all entries for a particular grid. There's also support for attachments, and syncing between multiple devices if you're using the paid version. Instead of wondering what you should...
Source: zapier.com
5 Best Apps That Make Journaling Super Convenient In 2022
Unlike other journaling apps, Grid Diary presents core journaling features in a grid format that makes it easier and more fun to log entries. It also has a built-in library of prompts that will help you when you have writerโ€™s block.
Source: integrately.com
Day One Alternatives: 7 Best Journal Apps You Can Use
If you are looking for an app which syncs your journal between your Mac and iPhone, the above options are the best ones out there. However, if you can do with an app which is either available for iPhone or for Mac, there are a couple more options you can check out and Grid Diary is one of them. I really loved the premise of the app where you get grids with specific questions...
Source: beebom.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 Grid Diary and PrivacyNotes, you can also consider the following products

Day One - A simple journal application for the Mac, iPhone, and iPad. AboutTo learn more about Day One, see these two excellent reviews . PublishPublish is not available in Day One 2.

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

Momento - Momento is a unique diary/journal writing app for iPhone & iPod touch, which provides a quick...

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

Reminisce Journal - Reminisce Journal is a free iOS and Android app that helps you to capture live moments, daily activities, thoughts, ideas and travel logs, etc.

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