Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PrivacyNotes VS join.me

Compare PrivacyNotes VS join.me and see what are their differences

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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

join.me logo join.me

Instant screen sharing. Instant Aha!
  • 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.

  • join.me Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26

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

join.me

Website
join.me
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-
Startup details
Country
United States

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.

join.me features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Join.me has an intuitive user interface that allows users to quickly set up and join meetings without extensive technical knowledge.
  • Screen Sharing
    The platform offers robust screen sharing capabilities, making it easy for presenters to share their screen with participants in real-time.
  • No Downloads Required
    Users can join a meeting directly through their web browser without needing to download any software, enhancing its accessibility.
  • Mobile Accessibility
    Join.me supports mobile devices, allowing users to participate in meetings on-the-go through their smartphones or tablets.
  • Customizable URLs
    The service allows for personalized meeting URLs, making it easier for participants to remember and join meetings.

Possible disadvantages of join.me

  • Limited Free Plan
    The free version of Join.me has limited features, especially in comparison to competitors, which may not be sufficient for more extensive business needs.
  • Video Quality
    Some users have reported that the video quality is not as high as other competing platforms, which can affect the overall meeting experience.
  • Security Concerns
    Join.me has faced criticism over its security and privacy measures, which might be a significant concern for businesses handling sensitive information.
  • Advanced Features Require Subscription
    Many of the advanced features like recording, scheduling, and management tools are locked behind a paywall, requiring a subscription.
  • Integration Limitations
    Compared to some other platforms, Join.me offers fewer integrations with other business tools and applications, which might limit its functionality for some users.

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

Analysis of join.me

Overall verdict

  • While join.me was once an excellent option for quick and easy virtual meetings, it's important to note that the platform has undergone changes over the years. As of October 2020, the features of join.me were integrated into the GoTo portfolio, which may have affected its availability and functionality. Prospective users should consider current alternatives within and beyond the GoTo suite that may offer similar simplicity and features.

Why this product is good

  • Join.me was a popular screen sharing and online meeting platform known for its simplicity and ease of use. It allowed users to easily host and join meetings, share screens, and collaborate in real-time without requiring extensive software installation. Its simple interface and ability to support a variety of devices made it a convenient choice for users who needed straightforward and spontaneous meetings.

Recommended for

    Join.me was particularly recommended for small businesses, freelancers, or individuals needing a user-friendly platform for impromptu meetings and screen sharing without complicated setup processes. It's best suited for scenarios where ease of use and accessibility are prioritized over advanced features.

PrivacyNotes videos

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join.me videos

Join.me Review | Next Best Conference Calling Software | Pearl Lemon Reviews

More videos:

  • Review - Using Join.me (Free)
  • Tutorial - Join.Me - Free ScreenSharing Service Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PrivacyNotes and join.me)
Journal
100 100%
0% 0
Communication
0 0%
100% 100
Document Encryption
100 100%
0% 0
Group Chat & Notifications

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing PrivacyNotes and join.me.

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 PrivacyNotes and join.me

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.

join.me Reviews

Sick of TeamViewer? Try these 7 Free alternative to TeamViewer
Join me is a remote desktop software that enables users to customize their online meeting and screen sharing experiences by claiming a personalized URL. Moreover, the users can also customise the meeting background and get their own personal link for notifications. Join Me also has Whiteboarding features that allow real-time discussions and interactions.
7 Zoom Alterยญnaยญtives for Video Conยญferยญencยญing and Remote Meetings
Join.me is an interactive teleconferencing solution that allows the user to communicate with collaborators across different platforms.
13 Best Teamviewer Alternatives You Must Try
Why do you need to opt for Join.me? If youโ€™re operating a business or even for individual purposes you want to collaborate remotely with individuals, JoinMe is an amazing remote management tool that you can use. A quick, easy and much better way to connect and socialize with individuals remotely is what Join.me is all about.
Source: twitgoo.com
Alternatives to TeamViewer
The company LogMeIn has another TeamViewer alternative, the web tool Join.me to add to the mix. This alternative makes organizing and implementing online meetings childโ€™s play. For this purpose, the service offers access to an admin area where you can easily schedule and hold meetings. All past meetings are automatically archived so that you can keep tabs on what invited...
Source: www.ionos.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, join.me seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 15 times 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.

PrivacyNotes mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PrivacyNotes yet. Tracking of PrivacyNotes recommendations started around Jun 2026.

join.me mentions (15)

  • Is getting a .website domain a good idea for my business?
    Agreed. A good example of a good use is join.me. This makes sense but even so, do you know how many times I've had people type join.me.com even after I say its just join.me? A lot. Source: about 3 years ago
  • finding a screen recorder / screen share program that gives 5 minute warming that video will end
    I'm doing a little investigative work... While I was giving a personal training using my screen sharing program join.me, the participant had a voice come over his computer. The computer generated voice said 'this video will end in 5 minutes'. Also there was a beeping sound every second just before this voice. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Anyone got extra users on their accouts?
    Why don't you have him share his screen with you? You can use something simple like teams in office or join.me so you can see his screen on your screen. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Tell me you're in inside sales without telling me you're in inside sales.
    Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh9h4KZpnJU this one? Or the join.me song? Source: over 4 years ago
  • Some Useful Websites that you should must use
    ๐Ÿ“Ž33. join.me: Share your screen with anyone over the web. Source: over 4 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing PrivacyNotes and join.me, you can also consider the following products

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.

Zoom - Equip your team with tools designed to collaborate, connect, and engage with teammates and customers, no matter where youโ€™re located, all in one platform.

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

GoToMeeting - GoToMeeting is a web conferencing service offering a range of services which are available on Mac, PC, iOS and Android devices.

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

TeamViewer - TeamViewer lets you establish a connection to any PC or server within just a few seconds.