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yEd VS PrivacyNotes

Compare yEd VS PrivacyNotes and see what are their differences

yEd

yEd is a free desktop application to quickly create, import, edit, and automatically arrange diagrams. It runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Unix/Linux.

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 · 3 reviews
Pricing
Open source Freemium Free trial $48 / One-off (Early adopter price)
Alternatives Is it good?
Kanera
Plan work on flexible boards, connect projects through Global Work and Portfolio, and keep reporting, notes, automation, API, and AI access together. 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?

Diagrams popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 28

Base details

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

yEd
PrivacyNotes
Website yworks.com privacynotes.app
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 Germany Startup from Switzerland · 1 - 9 employees · 2026
Listed in
Diagrams Prototyping Wireframing Flowcharts +1
Note Taking Journal Task Management Private Photo Vault Password Managers Privacy Document Encryption File Encryption Private Journal Notes Personal Notes +8

About yEd and PrivacyNotes

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

yEd
PrivacyNotes

No description of yEd 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.

yEd 5 features
PrivacyNotes 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    yEd offers a clean, intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to get started and create diagrams without a steep learning curve.
  • Versatile Diagram Types
    The software supports a wide range of diagram types including flowcharts, UML diagrams, network diagrams, and more, making it versatile for different needs.
  • Automatic Layouts
    yEd provides several powerful automatic layout algorithms that can quickly arrange complex diagrams into clear structures.
  • Cross-Platform
    yEd is compatible with multiple operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility for users across different platforms.
  • Free to Use
    yEd is free to download and use, which makes it an attractive option for individuals and organizations with budget constraints.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Collaboration Features
    yEd lacks built-in real-time collaboration features, which can be a disadvantage for teams needing to work simultaneously on the same diagram.
  • No Mobile Version
    There is no mobile version of yEd, which limits its usability for users who prefer creating diagrams on tablets or smartphones.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are user-friendly, some of the more advanced functionalities can have a steep learning curve and may require time to master.
  • Limited Integration Options
    yEd does not offer extensive integration options with other productivity tools or software, which can be a drawback for users looking for a more connected workflow.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Users have reported occasional performance issues, especially when dealing with very large and complex diagrams.
  • 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.

yEd
PrivacyNotes

Overall verdict

  • yEd is a good choice for users looking for a robust and versatile diagramming solution. Its free availability and rich features make it a strong contender among diagramming tools.

Why this product is good

  • yEd is considered a powerful diagramming tool because it offers an extensive range of features like automatic layout algorithms, various diagram types, easy-to-use interface, and cross-platform compatibility. It is especially appreciated for its ability to handle large data sets and produce clear, understandable visual representations quickly.

Recommended for

  • Business professionals who need to create organizational charts or flowcharts
  • Software developers who design complex system architectures
  • Researchers and analysts visualizing large data sets
  • Educators preparing educational materials
  • Students managing complex information for projects

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.

yEd 2 videos + Add
PrivacyNotes 0 videos + Add

yEd Graph Editor in 90 seconds

More videos

  • - yED Graph Editor Tutorial - Make flowcharts, trees, graph Freeware.

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
yEd
PrivacyNotes
100% 100%
Diagrams
0% 0%
0% 0%
Journal
100% 100%
100% 100%
Flowcharts
0% 0%
0% 0%
Note Taking
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

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

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Reviews and articles

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

yEd no reviews yet
PrivacyNotes 5.0 · 3 reviews
  • Room for Improvement!
    SaaSHub review
    · Oct 2026

    But it's pretty neat. I love the maximum heightened security & all the upgrades that are available.

  • 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...

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