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PrivacyNotes
What it is
PrivacyNotes is an end-to-end encrypted workspace for notes, tasks, files, a vault, journals, and bookmarks. Notes are encrypted on the device with XChaCha20-Poly1305 before synchronization, using keys derived from a 12-word BIP-39 phrase. Its local-first design supports reading, writing, and searching offline, then syncs changes when connectivity returns. The synchronized copy is stored in Zurich, Switzerland, as encrypted blobs rather than readable note text. Users can create a vault with a phrase and no email, or sign in with Google, Apple, or GitHub; provider sign-in offers server-held or device-only key custody. PrivacyNotes imports from note, journal, password, and bookmark services, as well as Markdown files. Google Keep checklists can become native task lists, and Markdown folders can be edited from desktop apps or supported desktop browsers. The app has no AI features or background AI processing and does not train models on user content. Its web, desktop, and mobile apps, along with encryption code, are published on GitHub under the AGPL. The free plan is free; Pro is $48, paid once. With self-custody, losing the phrase without a signed-in device means the company cannot recover notes.
For and against
For
- Encrypts notes on-device before synchronization.
- Reading, writing, and searching work offline.
- Imports from several note and bookmark services.
- Apps and encryption code are published under the AGPL.
- Free plan has no credit card or time limit.
Against
- Self-custody phrase loss can make notes unrecoverable.
- Free plan syncs across two devices.
- Free plan limits files to 5 MB each.
- Pro is a one-time payment of $48.
The verdict
PrivacyNotes combines offline access with device-side encryption and imports from a range of services. Its self-custody recovery limitation is important: without the phrase or a signed-in device, notes cannot be restored by the company.
Who it suits
PrivacyNotes suits people who want notes and related personal information available offline and encrypted before syncing. It may also suit users moving content from supported note, journal, password, or bookmark tools.
Plans and prices
Free
2 devices · 50 MB sync storage · 5 MB per file
Read 14 Oct 2026 · privacynotes.app
1 GB storage add-on
Adds 1 GB encrypted storage
Read 14 Oct 2026 · privacynotes.app
2 GB storage add-on
Adds 2 GB encrypted storage
Read 14 Oct 2026 · privacynotes.app
5 GB storage add-on
Adds 5 GB encrypted storage
Read 14 Oct 2026 · privacynotes.app
Pro
Unlimited devices · 500 MB storage · 50 MB per file · 20-version history
Read 14 Oct 2026 · privacynotes.app
On the record
- AI policy
- The app has no AI features, performs no background AI processing, and does not train models on user content.privacynotes.app · read 30 Sep 2026
- API and SDKs
- The published materials describe an internal sync REST endpoint but provide no public developer API or SDK for third-party applications.github.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Burn notes
- Burn notes create one-time encrypted links that are deleted after reading and otherwise expire between one hour and seven days.privacynotes.app · read 14 Oct 2026
- Client encryption
- Notes are encrypted on the device before synchronization using XChaCha20-Poly1305, with keys derived from a 12-word BIP-39 phrase.privacynotes.app · read 30 Sep 2026
- Company ownership
- Lifetime Labs says PrivacyNotes began in 2025 with two Swiss developers and was funded from the PrivacyTools.io owner's personal savings without venture capital.lifetimelabs.dev · read 14 Oct 2026
- Company structure
- The maker identifies itself as Lifetime Labs LLC, a US company whose core team is German and Swiss with Philippine freelancers.lifetimelabs.dev · read 14 Oct 2026
- Compliance statement
- The service says synced ciphertext is hosted in Zurich, Switzerland and that it uses row-level security keyed to the user's public key.privacynotes.app · read 14 Oct 2026
- Demo
- A full browser demo is available without signup or email, saves nothing, makes no server calls, and clears when the tab closes.privacynotes.app · read 30 Sep 2026
- Documentation
- The help center contains detailed security, recovery, import, storage, platform and troubleshooting articles, plus a public roadmap and changelog.privacynotes.app · read 14 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The clients encrypt note data locally with XChaCha20-Poly1305 before synchronization.privacynotes.app · read 14 Oct 2026
- Exports
- Notes can be exported as Markdown, HTML, PDF or encrypted backups.privacynotes.app · read 14 Oct 2026
- File storage
- Attachments accept arbitrary file types and are encrypted like notes; free files are capped at 5 MB and Pro files at 50 MB.privacynotes.app · read 14 Oct 2026
- Imports
- Supported import sources include Evernote, Apple Notes, Apple Journal, Google Keep, Obsidian, Notesnook, Standard Notes, Simplenote, Samsung Notes, Bitwarden, browser data and Markdown.privacynotes.app · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent limitation: cloud dependence
- Privacy Guides participants noted that extra storage requires recurring payment and that users relying on hosted sync have less storage flexibility than local-file tools.discuss.privacyguides.net · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent limitation: maturity
- The Substack review said the mobile apps were still beta and that the web app was the most reliable option at that time.cr1337.substack.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent limitation: recovery
- Independent coverage repeatedly warns that losing a self-custody phrase without a signed-in device makes recovery impossible.itsfoss.com · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent limitation: task reminders
- A Privacy Guides forum tester reported that the task system lacked reminder functionality and platform notifications.discuss.privacyguides.net · read 14 Oct 2026
- Independent praise: feature breadth
- It's FOSS highlighted the combination of Markdown notes, vault entries, journals, files, imports and burn-after-reading sharing.itsfoss.com · read 14 Oct 2026
