Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

note.md VS PrivacyNotes

Compare note.md VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

note.md logo note.md

Local-first markdown based workspace for research writings

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.
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  • note.md Landing page
    Landing page //
    2026-06-25
  • 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 / One-off (Early adopter price)
Platforms
MacOS Web Firefox Google Chrome Edge Safari
Release Date
2026 June
Startup details
Country
Switzerland
Employees
1 - 9

note.md features and specs

  • Markdown-Based Simplicity
    note.md uses Markdown as its core format, making it easy for users already familiar with Markdown to quickly create and format notes without learning a new system.
  • Lightweight and Minimalist
    The tool focuses on simplicity and a clean interface, avoiding bloated features that can overwhelm users who just need a straightforward note-taking solution.
  • Portable File Format
    Since notes are stored as standard Markdown (.md) files, they are highly portable and can be opened, edited, or migrated to other tools and text editors with ease.
  • Fast and Distraction-Free
    The minimalist design allows users to focus on writing without unnecessary UI elements, toolbars, or distractions, promoting productivity.
  • No Vendor Lock-In
    Using plain Markdown files means your data is not locked into a proprietary format, giving you full ownership and flexibility over your notes.

Possible disadvantages of note.md

  • Limited Feature Set
    Compared to full-featured note-taking apps like Notion or Obsidian, note.md may lack advanced features such as databases, backlinks, plugins, or collaborative editing.
  • Low Visibility and Community
    note.md is a relatively niche and lesser-known tool, meaning there is a smaller community for support, fewer tutorials, and limited third-party integrations.
  • Limited Rich Media Support
    Being Markdown-focused, the tool may have limited support for embedding rich media, complex tables, or interactive content compared to more robust note-taking platforms.
  • No Built-In Sync or Cloud Storage
    The tool may not offer built-in cloud syncing across devices, requiring users to rely on external solutions like Dropbox or Git for synchronization.
  • Learning Curve for Non-Technical Users
    Users unfamiliar with Markdown syntax may find it less intuitive compared to WYSIWYG note-taking apps, creating a barrier to entry for non-technical audiences.

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 note.md

Overall verdict

  • Notemd (note.md) is a lightweight, minimalist markdown note-taking tool that offers a clean and distraction-free writing experience, making it a solid choice for users who prioritize simplicity over feature-heavy alternatives, though it may lack advanced organizational or collaboration capabilities found in more robust note-taking platforms.

Why this product is good

  • Simple, clean interface focused on markdown writing without unnecessary clutter
  • Fast and lightweight, allowing quick note creation and editing
  • Markdown support enables easy formatting for text, code, and lists
  • Minimal learning curve, making it accessible for beginners
  • Good for quick note-taking without the overhead of complex apps

Recommended for

  • Users who prefer minimalist, distraction-free writing tools
  • Developers and technical users comfortable with markdown syntax
  • People looking for a quick way to jot down notes without extensive setup
  • Those who don't need advanced features like tagging, databases, or multi-device sync
  • Writers who want a simple tool for drafting content in markdown format

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to note.md and PrivacyNotes)
Markdown Editor
100 100%
0% 0
Journal
0 0%
100% 100
Note Taking
62 62%
38% 38
Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing note.md 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 note.md and PrivacyNotes

note.md Reviews

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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.

  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 note.md and PrivacyNotes, you can also consider the following products

Typora - A minimal Markdown reading & writing app.

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.

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

iA Writer - Minimal Design, Maximum Focus

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

Bear - Bear.app is a note-taking and content writing app that helps you boost productivity with its intuitive tools.