Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Manuskript VS PrivacyNotes

Compare Manuskript VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

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Manuskript logo Manuskript

Open-source tool for writers.

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
  • Manuskript Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-10
  • 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.

Manuskript

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

Manuskript features and specs

  • Open-source
    Manuskript is free and open-source software, allowing users to contribute to its development and benefit from continuous community support and updates.
  • Outliner Mode
    The outliner mode helps writers structure their work efficiently, offering a clear overview and easy navigation through scenes and chapters.
  • Index Cards
    Index cards provide a flexible, visual way to organize ideas, plot points, and characters, helping writers develop complex storylines.
  • Research Section
    Manuskript includes a dedicated research section for collecting and organizing background information crucial for writing.
  • Character Development Tools
    It offers tools to create detailed character profiles, track character development, and ensure consistency throughout the manuscript.
  • Distraction-Free Mode
    A distraction-free writing mode helps users focus on their writing without getting interrupted by toolbars or notifications.

Possible disadvantages of Manuskript

  • Limited User Base
    Being a niche tool with a smaller user base compared to mainstream commercial products, Manuskript may have fewer community resources and tutorials available.
  • Potential for Bugs
    As an open-source project relying on community contributions, Manuskript may experience stability issues or bugs that require user troubleshooting.
  • Occasional Updates
    The development pace may be slower compared to commercial alternatives, often depending on volunteer contributions and available resources.
  • Learning Curve
    The abundance of features and complex interface might present a steep learning curve for new users or those not tech-savvy.
  • Compatibility
    Manuskript may have compatibility issues with certain operating systems or require additional dependencies for installation, complicating setup 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 Manuskript

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Manuskript is generally considered a good tool, particularly for writers who prefer open-source software.

Why this product is good

  • Manuskript offers a range of features designed to help writers plan, structure, and organize their writing. It includes functionalities for outlining, character management, and a distraction-free mode, making it suitable for novelists and writers of long-form content. It is open-source and cross-platform, meaning it can be used on different operating systems without cost, and it benefits from community-driven development and support.

Recommended for

  • Novelists
  • Writers of long-form content
  • Users who prefer open-source software
  • Writers seeking a distraction-free writing environment
  • Individuals who appreciate customizable and adaptable writing tools

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

Manuskript videos

Manuskript 0.3.0 Review

PrivacyNotes videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Manuskript and PrivacyNotes)
Markdown Editor
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Writing Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Manuskript 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 Manuskript and PrivacyNotes

Manuskript Reviews

7 Best Scrivener Alternatives
Manuskript is a versatile word processing tool. This writing software is suitable for novelists, journalists, and even students. This open-source writing software almost has all the features that you need.
5 Free Scrivener Alternatives to Manage Writing Projects
Manuskript offers an incredibly clean interface for distraction-free writing. Itโ€™s also one of the most popular Scrivener alternatives. The open-source alternative features a simple, yet powerful, editor, along with an intuitive outlining function. Tabs keep all your windows and tasks neatly organized.
9 Scrivener Alternative Tools: Overview, Pros, And Cons
Looking for a free and open-source tool to outline your content? Go with Manuskript. This is an exceptional, lightweight tool best used in the early writing stage.

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, Manuskript seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time 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.

Manuskript mentions (1)

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 Manuskript and PrivacyNotes, you can also consider the following products

Scrivener - Scrivener is a content-generation tool for composing and structuring documents.

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

bibisco - bibisco is a novel writing software.

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

yWriter - Free writing software designed by the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series. yWriter6 helps you write a book by organising chapters, scenes, characters and locations in an easy-to-use interface.

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