Comparison

Strongbox Zero vs PrivacyNotes

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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/

About

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.

Highlights
  • Zero-knowledge encryption
  • Markdown-native notes
  • Task management
  • Private journaling
  • Offline functionality
  • Cross-device sync
Features
Read full description

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

Strongbox Zero4 screens
PrivacyNotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Strongbox Zero versus PrivacyNotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStrongbox ZeroPrivacyNotes
Price$99.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (21 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings21 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.4
Further details — not scored
Size96 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPhoebe Code LimitedLifetime Labs LLC

Customer experience

Strongbox Zero

All ratings21 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

PrivacyNotes

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Strongbox Zero

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

PrivacyNotes

Subscriptions3
  • 1 GB Encrypted Storage$4.991 Year
  • 2 GB Encrypted Storage$8.991 Year
  • 5 GB Encrypted Storage$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • PrivacyNotes Pro$49.99

Questions

Is Strongbox Zero free?
Strongbox Zero costs $99.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is PrivacyNotes free?
PrivacyNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Strongbox Zero or PrivacyNotes?
PrivacyNotes is rated higher. Strongbox Zero averages 4.3 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while PrivacyNotes averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Strongbox Zero or PrivacyNotes have ads?
Neither Strongbox Zero nor PrivacyNotes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Strongbox Zero or PrivacyNotes?
Strongbox Zero ships an update every 2 weeks, and PrivacyNotes every 3 days. Most recently, Strongbox Zero was updated on October 6, 2026 and PrivacyNotes on October 7, 2026.

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