Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ProtonMail VS PrivacyNotes

Compare ProtonMail VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

ProtonMail logo ProtonMail

Secure email with absolutely no compromises. Get your free encrypted email account today.

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
  • ProtonMail Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-15
  • 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.

ProtonMail

$ Details
freemium โ‚ฌ5.0 / Monthly (user - 5 GB)
Platforms
-
Release Date
-
Startup details
Country
Switzerland
City
Geneva
Employees
50 - 99

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

ProtonMail features and specs

  • End-to-End Encryption
    ProtonMail uses robust end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the sender and the recipient can read the emails. This enhances the security and privacy of your communications.
  • Zero Access to User Data
    ProtonMail does not have access to user data or emails. This means that even ProtonMail cannot read your emails, providing an additional layer of privacy.
  • Swiss Privacy Laws
    Based in Switzerland, ProtonMail benefits from stringent Swiss privacy laws, which are some of the strongest in the world. This offers users greater legal protection against mass surveillance.
  • Open Source
    ProtonMail's encryption algorithms are open source, which means their code can be reviewed and audited by anyone, promoting transparency and trust.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    ProtonMail offers an intuitive and clean user interface, making it easy for users to manage their emails efficiently.

Possible disadvantages of ProtonMail

  • Limited Free Storage
    The free version of ProtonMail offers only 500 MB of storage, which might be insufficient for users who need to store a large number of emails.
  • Paid Plans
    Advanced features and additional storage require a paid subscription, which may be a hassle for users looking for a completely free service.
  • Search Limitations
    Due to end-to-end encryption, the search functionality in ProtonMail is limited compared to other email services, as the search can only be performed on email subjects, not the content.
  • Compatibility Issues
    ProtonMail's encryption might not be fully compatible with other email services, potentially causing issues with sending and receiving encrypted messages.
  • Learning Curve
    New users who are unfamiliar with encryption concepts might find it slightly challenging to understand and use all of ProtonMailโ€™s security features effectively.

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 ProtonMail

Overall verdict

  • ProtonMail is generally considered to be a good email service, especially for users who prioritize privacy and security. Its user-friendly interface and strong encryption make it a reliable choice for personal and professional communication.

Why this product is good

  • ProtonMail is known for its strong emphasis on privacy and security. It offers end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your emails are secure and can only be read by the intended recipient. Additionally, the service is based in Switzerland, which has strong privacy laws. ProtonMail is also open-source, allowing for transparency and community trust in its security measures.

Recommended for

  • Individuals who prioritize email privacy and security
  • Journalists, activists, and professionals handling sensitive information
  • Users looking for an ad-free email experience
  • Anyone seeking a secure communication tool with a simple, intuitive interface

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

ProtonMail videos

ProtonMail Review - Good or Not?

More videos:

  • Review - ProtonMail Review
  • Review - Top 4 Email Services BETTER than Protonmail!

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 ProtonMail and PrivacyNotes)
Email
100 100%
0% 0
Journal
0 0%
100% 100
Email Clients
100 100%
0% 0
Document Encryption
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing ProtonMail 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 ProtonMail and PrivacyNotes

ProtonMail Reviews

  1. Dennis
    ยท Commercial Director at SpeechKit ยท
    A great product made by a great team

    Protonmail is the best secure email solution period, other products in the suite such as ProtonVPN and hopefully soon Drive and Calendar will finally make it the perfect Gsuite alternative.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Encryption|Easy to use|Excellent features|Easy integration
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž Cons:    None

5 Of The Best Alternatives To Proton Mail
Email providers like Gmail and Yahoo offer lots of great features for free. However, all those freebies come at a cost, as these popular email services track your activity and target you with ads. In contrast, Protonmail uses end-to-end encryption and doesn't collect any data linked to a user's identity, and the basic version is free. But if you like it, you'll want to...
The Top 4 ProtonMail Alternatives
While ProtonMail is generally received in a positive light, it isnโ€™t without its flaws. Itโ€™s been subjected to DDoS attacks that have made its services inaccessible to some users. ProtonMail is also not well suited to high-volume use and its subject lines are not encrypted. To some, these issues may be trivial and others may wish to see what else may be available to them.
Best ProtonMail Alternatives for Secure Communications
While ProtonMail has set a high standard in the realm of secure email services, there are several alternatives out there that offer unique features and capabilities. Whether youโ€™re an individual looking for a secure email client or a business in need of a comprehensive security solution, thereโ€™s an alternative to ProtonMail that can meet your needs. Remember, the best secure...
Source: canarymail.io
10 Best Alternatives to Microsoft Outlook to Try in 2023
It's hard to find a more trustworthy email service provider than ProtonMail. It's built for people who want to be sure that no one is accessing their data, and that's where it clearly comes out ahead compared to Outlook, which is owned by Microsoft. But when choosing ProtonMail, you may miss some of the key features and integrations offered by Microsoft and its line of apps.
Source: mysignature.io
11 Top Outlook Alternatives to Try
With ProtonMail, your email is even protected from ProtonMail. Your data is stored using zero-access encryption, so ProtonMail itself doesnโ€™t know your password and canโ€™t decrypt your emails.
Source: kinsta.com

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.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ProtonMail seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 414 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.

ProtonMail mentions (414)

  • Email username
    You might want to consider getting a domain name of your own and then get email hosting which will allow you to set up your email in the way you want. If you don't want to have to manage and pay for domain name and email hosting, you may try premium email services like Space Email, Proton Mail etc. With then you'll definitely be able to get a username/email address of your choice. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How to Force Current Session Logout - Answered
    I closed all Proton Mail tabs and navigated to protonmail.com and a cleared out login area was shown. Without checking the "keep me logged in", I entered my credentials and was prompted for my 2FA info. I entered that and it worked. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • help
    Can I add my gmail account to my proton mail account so I can send emails and choose betwen my gmail.com email or my protonmail.com email account? Im not talking about the easy switch feature btw. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: Gmail Alternatives
    I hear ProtonMail[1] is good, especially for your needs. [1]: https://protonmail.com/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Which do you use? @protonmail.com, @proton.me or @pm.me?
    Protonmail.com for my primary, though really, simplelogin.com when I sign up at a site. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

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 ProtonMail and PrivacyNotes, you can also consider the following products

Tutanota - Get your encrypted mailbox for free.

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.

Gmail - Gmail is available across all your devices Android, iOS, and desktop devices. Sort, collaborate or call a friend without leaving your inbox.

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

Zoho Mail - Zoho Mail is a secure, encrypted, and enterprise-ready email solution, a suite of apps tailor-made for your organization's needs.

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