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Head-to-head · Secure Notes Apps

Cryptee vs QOwnNotes

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Cryptee #5 in Secure Notes Apps 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Cryptee
QOwnNotes #6 in Secure Notes Apps 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit QOwnNotes

Cryptee leads on 0 checks, QOwnNotes on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCryptee · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresCryptee · 3 of 3

Cryptee scores higher on our rubric for secure notes apps: 8.4 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Cryptee is the better fit for encrypted notes with large storage options. QOwnNotes is the better fit for self-hosters who want flexible sync and clipping.

  • Cryptee fits best

    Encrypted notes with large storage options

  • QOwnNotes fits best

    Self-hosters who want flexible sync and clipping

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cryptee 8.4/10 Visit ↗ QOwnNotes 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.3
Ranking #5 in Secure Notes Apps #6 in Secure Notes Apps
Best for Encrypted notes with large storage options Self-hosters who want flexible sync and clipping
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price €3/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome extension
Support Email, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Cryptee 3/3 · QOwnNotes 2/3
Offline access ✓ ✓
Open source ✓ ✓
File attachments ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Encryption model End_to_end Not checked yet
Supported platforms web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android web, windows, macos, linux, android, chrome_extension
Export formats PDF, DOCX, ODT, Markdown Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Client-side AES-256 encryption before upload
  • Offline access across desktop and mobile platforms
  • Storage plans scale from 100 MB to 2000 GB
  • Stores notes as plain-text Markdown files
  • Offers optional AES-256 encryption, offline Android editing, and recovery
  • Supports clipping, sharing, and sync through several services
Cons
  • Support is centered on email and documentation
  • Storage limits vary substantially by plan
  • Its ecosystem centers on listed formats and platforms
  • Desktop sync depends on Nextcloud, ownCloud, or another service
  • Encryption is optional rather than the central default
  • The setup may not suit buyers seeking a managed, all-in-one service
Our verdict

Cryptee is a privacy-focused service for encrypted notes, documents, journals, photos, videos, and other files. It is designed for privacy-conscious individuals and groups, including journalists, lawyers, researchers, students, and…

Read the review →

QOwnNotes is a free, open-source Markdown note-taking application for people who want their notes stored as plain-text files and prefer control over synchronization. Desktop apps are available for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows, with an…

Read the review →
  1. CrypteeSecure Notes Apps 8.4Free plan
  2. QOwnNotesSecure Notes Apps 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cryptee — where it wins

    • Client-side AES-256 encryption before upload
    • Offline access across desktop and mobile platforms
    • Storage plans scale from 100 MB to 2000 GB

    Where it doesn't

    • Support is centered on email and documentation
    • Storage limits vary substantially by plan
    • Its ecosystem centers on listed formats and platforms

  • QOwnNotes — where it wins

    • Stores notes as plain-text Markdown files
    • Offers optional AES-256 encryption, offline Android editing, and recovery
    • Supports clipping, sharing, and sync through several services

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop sync depends on Nextcloud, ownCloud, or another service
    • Encryption is optional rather than the central default
    • The setup may not suit buyers seeking a managed, all-in-one service

More comparisons

All secure notes apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update