Strongbox Zero vs PrivacyNotes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Strongbox Zero
This app securely stores and protects your passwords with a master password. It supports open-source formats and offers advanced security features like biometric unlock and hardware token protection. It's designed for users who prefer a local-only password management solution.
- Local-only password storage
- Biometric and PIN unlock
- YubiKey hardware token protection
- Military-grade cryptography
- Password auditing for weak passwords
- Secure document attachment viewer
- Import/Export via Files app and Email
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Strongbox Zero is a version of the well known and loved Strongbox with all of the networking code and as many third party libraries stripped out as we could! Think of it as the Drag Racer version of Strongbox! If you're a fan of Local Only password managers this could be the right choice for you. We recommend you get to know (and love!) the regular Strongbox first through the Freemium app. Once you're happy and sure you want to go local only, go for Strongbox Zero... Strongbox Zero is an application for keeping all your passwords safely stored and protected by one master password. Supporting the open source Password Safe and KeePass formats. *** Features *** - Face ID/Touch ID Unlock for the ultimate in convenience, security and speed. - PIN Code Unlock with a Duress PIN option for those tricky situations. - YubiKey protection - secure your databases with a hardware token. - Secure - protected by time tested military grade cryptography. - Private - Isolated In-App attachments viewer for your sensitive documents, photos & videos. - Audit your passwords - Automatically check your database for weak passwords - Search your entire set of passwords and secrets instantly and powerfully, with deep search. Autocomplete new entries, and auto generate secure passwords. - Compatible - Import/Export by Files app, Email, CSV, iTunes File Sharing - Standards compliant - using the time tested Password Safe and KeePass formats so you can import any existing password safe you have. - Features galore - Incredibly configurable password generation including Diceware (XKCD) & regular passwords. - Timed Auto Clear Clipboard. - Entry History. - KeePass Field References, Tags & Custom Icons. - Two Factor Authentication codes (TOTP) - QR Code, Steam & Manual. --------------------------------------------------------------------- • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase • Strongbox Privacy Policy may be found here: https://strongboxsafe.com/privacy-policy/ • Strongbox Terms of Use may be found here: https://strongboxsafe.com/terms/
PrivacyNotes
Securely manage your notes, tasks, and journal with end-to-end encryption. This app ensures your data is private by design, with no trackers or ads. It works offline and syncs encrypted across your devices without requiring an account.
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Markdown-native notes
- Task management
- Private journaling
- Offline functionality
- Cross-device sync
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One encrypted home for everything you would never post. Your 12-word recovery phrase is your key, and with self-custody not even we can read a word. Seven pillars, one key: - Notes: rich editor, tags, note-links, instant search - Tasks: every checkbox in one view - Journal: mood, sleep and medication tracking - Vault: passwords, cards, SSH keys - Files: encrypted photos, documents, audio, video - Bookmarks: your saved links, with icons - Contacts: an address book that stays private Private by design: - Zero-knowledge encryption, data stored in Switzerland - Open source, no trackers, no ads - Works offline, syncs across all your devices - No email needed: a recovery phrase is enough Free forever on 2 devices. Pro is a one-time purchase, not a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://lifetimelabs.dev/privacy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: PrivacyNotes at Free against Strongbox Zero's $99.99. PrivacyNotes also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.3) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks). Strongbox Zero's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (21 vs 2). On ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
PrivacyNotes is free to download; Strongbox Zero costs $99.99 up front. PrivacyNotes sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Strongbox Zero asks for nothing beyond the download.
PrivacyNotes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Strongbox Zero has 21 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Strongbox Zero ships an update every 2 weeks, PrivacyNotes every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Strongbox Zero | PrivacyNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.3 (21 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 21 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 96 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Phoebe Code Limited | Lifetime Labs LLC |
Customer experience
Strongbox Zero
PrivacyNotes
In-app purchases
Strongbox Zero
No in-app purchases
PrivacyNotes
- 1 GB Encrypted Storage$4.991 Year
- 2 GB Encrypted Storage$8.991 Year
- 5 GB Encrypted Storage$17.991 Year
- PrivacyNotes Pro$49.99
Questions
Is Strongbox Zero free?
Is PrivacyNotes free?
Which has better reviews, Strongbox Zero or PrivacyNotes?
Do Strongbox Zero or PrivacyNotes have ads?
Which is updated more often, Strongbox Zero or PrivacyNotes?
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