Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Total Commander VS PrivacyNotes

Compare Total Commander VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

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Total Commander logo Total Commander

A Shareware file manager for Windowsยฎ 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, and Windowsยฎ 3.1.

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
  • Total Commander Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-06
  • 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.

Total Commander

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

Total Commander features and specs

  • Dual-pane Interface
    Total Commander features a dual-pane interface, which allows users to easily drag and drop files between directories, enhancing productivity and file management efficiency.
  • Customizability
    The application offers extensive customization options, including customizing the toolbar, keyboard shortcuts, and file display settings, providing users with a tailored experience.
  • Built-in FTP Client
    Total Commander includes an integrated FTP client, making it convenient for users to transfer files to and from remote servers without needing additional software.
  • Plugin Support
    Total Commander supports a wide range of plugins, adding extra functionalities like additional file system interfaces, file viewers, and archivers to extend the software's capabilities.
  • Powerful File Operations
    It offers advanced file operations such as multi-rename tool, file comparison, and synchronization, which are highly useful for power users managing large sets of files.

Possible disadvantages of Total Commander

  • Outdated Interface
    The interface of Total Commander can appear dated compared to modern file managers, which may be less appealing to new users accustomed to more contemporary designs.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and customizability, new users might find Total Commander overwhelming and may require time to learn and utilize the software effectively.
  • Paid Software
    Total Commander is not free; although it offers a trial version, users need to purchase a license to access the full functionality, which may deter some users looking for free alternatives.
  • Limited OS Support
    While primarily designed for Windows, Total Commander has limited support for other operating systems. Though there are Android and Linux versions, they may not offer the same level of functionality as the Windows version.
  • No Cloud Integration
    Total Commander lacks built-in cloud storage integration, which is a feature increasingly expected by users looking to manage files across multiple cloud services directly from their file manager.

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 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

Total Commander videos

ENG Total Commander Tutorial - Manual: Installation, Multiple Rename ,FTP, Comparing

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Total Commander - Review, Tutorial und Tipps [Part 1]
  • Tutorial - Total Commander - Review, Tutorial und Tipps [Part 2]

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 Total Commander and PrivacyNotes)
File Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
FTP Client
100 100%
0% 0
Task Management
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Total Commander 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 Total Commander and PrivacyNotes

Total Commander Reviews

14 Alternative File Managers To Replace Windows 10 File Explorer
An advanced file manager for Windows 10. Total Commander may not have the most beautiful interface, but its advanced features and dual file windows make file management a snap. The main interface consists of two windows where you can open two folders and exchange and manage files between them seamlessly.
Source: geekflare.com
3 Popular Total Commander Analogs for Linux
In Linux there is no special need for such software, because such actions can be performed with standard solutions. But here we should pay attention to the graphical component of Total Commander โ€” it is familiar to many: it is clear and easy to work in it. That is why users are looking for similar software for Linux.
Source: medium.com
The best file managers for your computer
An also very popular alternative, which you probably already knew by its previous name, Windows Commander. Currently, Total Commander it is used by users all over the world, mainly because it also offers support with Linux partitions, among other things. Its interface is very intuitive and has the most common basic functions. One option to consider.
Source: movilforum.com
8 Best Total Commander Alternatives & Competitors in 2022 (Free & Paid)
Total Commander is not always the best solution for everyone. In this article, weโ€™ve compiled a list of the 8 best Total Commander alternatives and competitors.
The best third-party file managers for Android
Like the desktop app, Total Commander enables you to drag and drop individual files and entire subdirectories within your device's internal storage. Take it a step further by downloading plug-ins from Total Commander's website to enable features like FTP and SFTP access and uploads to Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. The app offers customization features akin to that of...

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 Total Commander and PrivacyNotes, you can also consider the following products

Double Commander - Double Commander is a cross-platform open source file manager with two panels side by side.

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

FreeCommander - FreeCommander is an easy-to-use alternative to the standard windows file manager. The program helps you with daily work in Windows. Here you can find all the necessary functions to manage your data stock.

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

Directory Opus - Directory Opus for Windows - the Ultimate Windows File manager and Explorer Replacement. DownloadOpus 12: To update to the latest version, simply download and . BuyThank you for your interest in Directory Opus!

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