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Head-to-head · Secure Notes Apps

Joplin vs PrivacyNotes

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Joplin #1 in Secure Notes Apps 9.2/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Joplin
PrivacyNotes #4 in Secure Notes Apps 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit PrivacyNotes

Joplin leads on 0 checks, PrivacyNotes 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 scoreJoplin · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Joplin
  • Most featuresPrivacyNotes · 3 of 3

Joplin scores higher on our rubric for secure notes apps: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Joplin is the better fit for broad, low-cost encrypted notes across platforms. PrivacyNotes is the better fit for privacy-focused personal note-taking across devices.

  • Joplin fits best

    Broad, low-cost encrypted notes across platforms

  • PrivacyNotes fits best

    Privacy-focused personal note-taking across devices

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 Joplin 9.2/10 Visit ↗ PrivacyNotes 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.6
Ranking #1 in Secure Notes Apps #4 in Secure Notes Apps
Best for Broad, low-cost encrypted notes across platforms Privacy-focused personal note-taking across devices
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price €2.40/mo —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Docs
Integrations 7 integrations 13 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Joplin 2/3 · PrivacyNotes 3/3
Offline access ✓ ✓
Open source ✓ ✓
File attachments Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Encryption model Not checked yet End_to_end
Supported platforms web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, API web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android
Export formats Not checked yet Markdown, JSON, HTML, PDF, encrypted backups
Our review
Pros
  • Free, open-source app with offline-first local storage
  • End-to-end encrypted sync with several storage integrations
  • Broad platform coverage, attachments, sharing, and Markdown support
  • Encrypts data on the device before synchronization
  • Works offline with automatic resynchronization
  • Supports imports, exports, attachments, and six platforms
Cons
  • Basic limits storage to 2 GB and attachments to 10 MB
  • Advanced sharing and collaboration require Joplin Cloud
  • Some features, including AI tools, are optional Cloud capabilities
  • Free sync is limited to two devices and 50 MB
  • No shared workspaces or team administration
  • Founded in 2026, so its maturity track record is shorter
Our verdict

Joplin is a free, open-source note-taking and to-do application for individuals and teams. Its offline-first design stores notes locally and supports Markdown, notebooks, tags, full-text search, and attachments such as images, videos,…

Read the review →

PrivacyNotes is an end-to-end encrypted workspace for personal notes, tasks, files, journal entries, bookmarks, and vault items. It is designed for individual users who want private information available across web, Windows, macOS, Linux,…

Read the review →
  1. JoplinSecure Notes Apps 9.2Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. PrivacyNotesSecure Notes Apps 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Joplin — where it wins

    • Free, open-source app with offline-first local storage
    • End-to-end encrypted sync with several storage integrations
    • Broad platform coverage, attachments, sharing, and Markdown support

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic limits storage to 2 GB and attachments to 10 MB
    • Advanced sharing and collaboration require Joplin Cloud
    • Some features, including AI tools, are optional Cloud capabilities

  • PrivacyNotes — where it wins

    • Encrypts data on the device before synchronization
    • Works offline with automatic resynchronization
    • Supports imports, exports, attachments, and six platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • Free sync is limited to two devices and 50 MB
    • No shared workspaces or team administration
    • Founded in 2026, so its maturity track record is shorter

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