Software Alternatives & Startups
Register | Login

TunnelBear VS PrivacyNotes

Compare TunnelBear VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

TunnelBear

Really simple VPN to browse the web privately & anonymously.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
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.

Rating
5.0 · 2 reviews
Pricing
Open source Freemium Free trial $48 / One-off (Early adopter price)
Alternatives Is it good?
BusinessLOG SOC
A centralized log management and SIEM platform built for compliance, auditing, anomaly detection, and infrastructure visibility. sponsored
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.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, TunnelBear seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 2 times since March 2021.

social mentions
2 vs 0
VPN popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 28

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

TunnelBear
PrivacyNotes
Website tunnelbear.com privacynotes.app
Pricing
Official pricing
Open source Freemium Free trial $48 / One-off (Early adopter price) Official pricing
Platforms —
MacOS Web Firefox Google Chrome Edge Safari +3
Company Startup from Canada Startup from Switzerland · 1 - 9 employees · 2026
Listed in
VPN Security Cloud VPN Security & Privacy +1
Note Taking Journal Task Management Private Photo Vault Password Managers Privacy Document Encryption File Encryption Private Journal Notes Personal Notes +8

About TunnelBear and PrivacyNotes

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

TunnelBear
PrivacyNotes

No description of TunnelBear yet.

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...

Read more about PrivacyNotes

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

TunnelBear 6 features
PrivacyNotes 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    TunnelBear offers a simple and visually appealing interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible even for users who are not tech-savvy.
  • Strong Security Features
    The VPN provides robust encryption with AES-256, ensuring user data is well-protected from potential threats and unauthorized access.
  • No-Logs Policy
    TunnelBear operates with a strict no-logs policy, meaning user activity is not recorded or stored, enhancing privacy.
  • Free Plan Available
    A free plan is available with 500 MB of data per month, which allows users to test the service before committing to a paid plan.
  • Multiple Device Support
    The service allows for multiple simultaneous connections, letting users secure several devices under one account.
  • Vigilant Mode
    The Vigilant Mode feature acts as a kill switch, which cuts off internet access if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly, maintaining privacy.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Server Locations
    TunnelBear has fewer server locations compared to some of its competitors, which may affect connection speeds and access to geographically restricted content.
  • Data Cap on Free Plan
    The free plan caps data at 500 MB per month, which may not be sufficient for users who require extensive use of a VPN.
  • No Linux Support
    TunnelBear does not offer a dedicated app for Linux users, limiting its accessibility for those on this operating system.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While TunnelBear is great for basic use, it lacks some of the advanced features offered by other VPN providers, such as split tunneling and more customizable settings.
  • Inconsistent Speeds
    Some users report that connection speeds can be inconsistent, especially when connecting to servers that are geographically distant.
  • 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

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

TunnelBear
PrivacyNotes

Overall verdict

  • TunnelBear is a solid choice for casual users seeking a simple, trustworthy VPN solution. Its focus on ease of use and privacy makes it a good option for those prioritizing simplicity over advanced features.

Why this product is good

  • TunnelBear is regarded as a user-friendly VPN service that offers a straightforward interface, reliable encryption, and a strong commitment to privacy. It is particularly praised for its approachable design and whimsical bear-themed aesthetic, making it appealing for users who are new to VPNs. The service provides essential privacy features and has a no-logging policy, which ensures users' online activities remain private.

Recommended for

  • People new to VPNs who want an easy-to-use interface.
  • Users interested in secure and private internet browsing.
  • Individuals who appreciate a visually engaging application.

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

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

TunnelBear 3 videos + Add
PrivacyNotes 0 videos + Add

TunnelBear VPN Review - Which Tier is It?

More videos

  • - TunnelBear VPN FULL In-Depth Review! Is It BEARable?
  • - TunnelBear Review - In Depth (2020 Updated) - Does It Work With Netflix And Torrenting?

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

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
TunnelBear
PrivacyNotes
100% 100%
VPN
0% 0%
0% 0%
Journal
100% 100%
100% 100%
Cloud VPN
0% 0%
0% 0%
Note Taking
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing TunnelBear 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 TunnelBear and PrivacyNotes. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

TunnelBear no reviews yet
PrivacyNotes 5.0 · 2 reviews

View more

  • Everything I Needed in One App
    SaaSHub review
    · Aug 2026

    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...

  • Feature rich
    SaaSHub review
    · Jul 2026

    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...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

TunnelBear 2 mentions
PrivacyNotes 0 mentions
  • BBC iPlayer - In Conversation - 2. Ken Loach in Conversation with Cillian Murphy
    I used to use a VPN to watch Sherlock so I wouldn't get spoiled on the plot. (I'm in the US.) Granted, this was a while ago, the company I used to use was tunnelbear.com. I have been itching to use it to watch Peaky Blinders, but I... Source: over 4 years ago
  • (JP/DMM) Top 3 VPN-services to use
    #0 - TunnelBear - https://tunnelbear.com/ (or similar, with data limits and lots of other limits in free versions). Source: over 4 years ago

Tracking PrivacyNotes since Jun 2026.

Alternatives to TunnelBear and PrivacyNotes

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

Loading...