Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

The Guide VS PrivacyNotes

Compare The Guide VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

The Guide logo The Guide

The Guide is a two-pane outliner - a program that allows you to arrange text notes in a tree-like...

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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  • The Guide Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-12
  • 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.

The Guide

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

The Guide features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    The Guide offers a straightforward, intuitive interface that allows users to easily organize and structure notes in a tree-like hierarchy.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, The Guide is free to use and can be modified by users who want to tailor it to their specific needs.
  • Lightweight
    The software is lightweight and does not require significant system resources, making it ideal for older systems or quick installations.
  • Portable
    The Guide can be run from a USB drive without installation, offering great flexibility for users who need to access their notes on multiple computers.
  • Hierarchical Note Structure
    The hierarchical organization allows for effective categorization and management of notes, making it suitable for study and project management.

Possible disadvantages of The Guide

  • Limited Features
    Compared to other note-taking applications, The Guide lacks advanced features like multimedia support, collaboration tools, or cloud integration.
  • Outdated Design
    The user interface may feel dated and less visually appealing compared to modern applications, which can affect user experience.
  • Windows Only
    The software is primarily available for Windows, limiting accessibility for users on other operating systems such as macOS or Linux.
  • Lack of Updates
    Development and updates for The Guide have been infrequent, leading to potential security vulnerabilities and lack of support for newer technologies.
  • No Cloud Backup
    The Guide does not offer built-in cloud backup options, which means that users must manually manage backups to prevent data loss.

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 The Guide

Overall verdict

  • The Guide is generally considered a good tool for users who need a straightforward, no-frills outlining application. It's well-suited for those who value open-source software and are comfortable with a basic, yet effective, interface. However, it may not be ideal for users looking for advanced features or integration with other modern productivity tools.

Why this product is good

  • The Guide is an open-source application available on SourceForge that acts as a two-pane outliner for organizing notes. It is particularly appreciated for its simplicity, free cost, and robust community support. It allows users to create and organize complex hierarchies of notes and text, making it a versatile tool for project management, brainstorming, and personal organization.

Recommended for

    The Guide is recommended for students, writers, project managers, and anyone who needs a simple, hierarchical note-taking solution. Itโ€™s also suitable for users who prefer lightweight applications and require a tool that doesnโ€™t need internet connectivity to function effectively.

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

The Guide videos

The Guide | R K Narayan | Book Review

More videos:

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  • Review - Deviate The Guide First Ride Review - Pinion Gearbox, Sorted Suspension

PrivacyNotes videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to The Guide and PrivacyNotes)
Note Taking
86 86%
14% 14
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
100% 100
Word
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing The Guide 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 The Guide and PrivacyNotes

The Guide Reviews

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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.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing The Guide and PrivacyNotes, you can also consider the following products

Idea Notebook - Idea Notebook is an app that allows you to keep track of your logs business ideas and track as well as organize them.

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

Monkkee - Keep a private journal securely on the Internet โ€“ to provide a convenient user experience your...

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

RunaBook - RunaBook is a lightweight application that lets you create and organize notes, knowledge bases, and daily routines.

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