Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SteerMouse VS PrivacyNotes

Compare SteerMouse VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

SteerMouse logo SteerMouse

Advanced driver for USB and Bluetooth mouses.

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
  • SteerMouse Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-04-10
  • 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.

SteerMouse

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

SteerMouse features and specs

  • Customizability
    SteerMouse allows users to customize the functions of each button on a wide range of mice, offering versatile control options.
  • Precision
    It enables users to fine-tune the cursorโ€™s sensitivity and acceleration, allowing for better control over cursor movement.
  • Multi-device Support
    SteerMouse supports a variety of mouse models from different brands, making it a highly versatile tool for users with different types of mice.
  • Macros
    The software allows users to create and assign macros to mouse buttons, enabling complex actions with a single click.
  • Ease of Use
    The interface is user-friendly, making it easy to set up and configure, even for those who might not be tech-savvy.

Possible disadvantages of SteerMouse

  • Price
    SteerMouse is a paid application, and some users might find it expensive compared to free alternatives.
  • Limited to Mac
    The software is only available for macOS, limiting its user base to those who use Apple computers.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Although it supports a wide range of mice, not all models might be compatible, potentially causing issues for certain users.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, the depth of customization might be overwhelming for new users, leading to a moderate learning curve.
  • System Resources
    Running SteerMouse in the background can consume system resources, potentially affecting performance on less powerful machines.

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 SteerMouse

Overall verdict

  • SteerMouse is considered a good choice for users who want enhanced control over their mouse settings on macOS. Its robust set of features and regular updates make it a reliable and valuable tool for improving productivity and user experience.

Why this product is good

  • SteerMouse is highly regarded for its powerful customization features that allow users to tailor their mouse settings beyond the limitations of standard drivers. It is particularly praised for its ability to assign different functions to mouse buttons, create custom acceleration curves, and support a wide range of mice, catering to both casual and professional users who require precise control and functionality.

Recommended for

  • Graphic designers and digital artists who need precise control over their mouse movements.
  • Gamers looking for customizable button assignments and sensitivity settings for an improved gaming experience.
  • Users who have multiple or non-standard mice that need specialized settings not offered by default macOS drivers.

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

SteerMouse videos

SteerMouse - Mouse Chording on Mac

More videos:

  • Review - Bind Mouse Button to Key Sequence Based on Active App (Mac) - SteerMouse
  • Review - Bind Mouse Buttons to Keyboard Shortcut Based on Active App (Mac) - SteerMouse

PrivacyNotes videos

No PrivacyNotes videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SteerMouse and PrivacyNotes)
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Personal Notes
0 0%
100% 100
Automation
100 100%
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing SteerMouse 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

Share your experience with using SteerMouse and PrivacyNotes. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare SteerMouse and PrivacyNotes

SteerMouse Reviews

We have no reviews of SteerMouse yet.
Be the first one to post

PrivacyNotes Reviews

  1. FossFox
    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, SteerMouse seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 57 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.

SteerMouse mentions (57)

  • An open source alternative to Logi-Plus mouse software
    Try a Steermouse free trial, it has MX Ergo S on the recommended mice list https://plentycom.jp/en/steermouse/ I donโ€™t have a mouse on my Mac now (trackpad too good) but Steermouse has been around for about 25 years and I used it for many of those. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • An open source alternative to Logi-Plus mouse software
    Very cool, thanks! In a similar vein, I've been using SteerMouse (https://plentycom.jp/en/steermouse/) in the same way for many years, for the same reasons. Logi's hardware is nice, but their software just freaking sucks the electrons out of a battery. It's awful. I refuse to run their driver aka mini-OS just to do the right thing when I click a button with my thumb. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • My Logitech mouse became unusable, Logi Options+ can't validate certificate
    I ditched Logi Options+ and use SteerMouse instead. I wouldn't call myself a mouse power-user, but it's been good enough for me. https://plentycom.jp/en/steermouse/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Building the Mouse Logitech Won't Make
    Shout out for SteerMouse! https://plentycom.jp/en/steermouse/ It's a kind of magical mouse driver that supports nearly every USB mouse made, including _all_ the quirky little buttons and extra functions. As the author said, it's ultra-light-weight, native Mac UI (none of that weird chrome slop that companies like Razer insist upon using). I use mine with a funky Razer "MMO" mouse that has a funny numeric keypad on... - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Solaar is a Linux manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices
    Just switched from logi options to Steer Mouse myself. You can map the buttons and add chords. The only thing it might lack is being able to use mouse movement as a trigger (eg hold the back button and move left to change spaces). Still looking for it https://plentycom.jp/en/steermouse/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year 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 SteerMouse and PrivacyNotes, you can also consider the following products

Mac Mouse Fix - A simple way to make your 3rd party mouse better.

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

LinearMouse - LinearMouse is a free and open-source utility for macOS which aims to improve the experience and functionality of third-party mice.

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

Karabiner - Karabiner, previously called KeyRemap4MacBook, is a very powerful keyboard remapper for Mac OS X.

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