Proton Authenticator vs PrivacyNotes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Proton Authenticator
Securely manage your two-factor authentication codes with an open-source, end-to-end encrypted authenticator app. It offers seamless cross-device syncing, effortless import from other apps, and robust backup options, all protected by strict Swiss privacy laws. Take control of your digital security with a trusted and private solution.
- End-to-end encrypted iCloud sync
- Effortless import from other authenticators
- Secure backup and export
- Swiss privacy by design
- Open source and transparent
- Offline support
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Get the authenticator trusted by millions — from Proton Mail, the world's largest encrypted email provider. Proton Authenticator is open source, end-to-end encrypted, and protected by strict Swiss privacy laws. Protect all your new accounts and strengthen security on your existing ones. Proton Authenticator keeps your 2FA codes secure, accessible, and completely private — with full control over where your data is stored. KEY FEATURES Local-First Storage:Your 2FA codes are stored entirely on your device, giving you complete control over your data. Effortless Import: Migrate from Google Authenticator, Authy, or any other app in seconds. Secure Backup & Export: Retain full control of your data with easy backup and restore options. Swiss Privacy by Design: Built under Switzerland's strongest data protection regulations. Open Source & Transparent: Auditable code. No tracking. No ads. Take control of your digital security with encryption you can trust. Free to use: No Proton account required, ad-free. Offline support: On mobile and desktop apps No other 2FA app provides this combination of security and privacy. Trusted by millions. Built by Proton. Take control of your digital security today. Terms of service: https://proton.me/legal/terms Learn more: https://proton.me
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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PrivacyNotes is an end-to-end encrypted workspace for your notes, tasks, and journal. A 12-word recovery phrase, generated on your device, is the only key. Everything is encrypted before it leaves your phone, so no one, not even us, can read it. Three pillars, one private home: - Notes: fast and markdown-native, fully searchable, with note-links between them. - Tasks: capture and organize what you need to get done. - Journal: a quiet, private space for daily entries. Private by design: - Zero-knowledge encryption (XChaCha20-Poly1305). We store only ciphertext. - No trackers, no ads, no telemetry, ever. - Works offline; syncs encrypted across your devices. - No email or account required to start. Pro is a one-time purchase that unlocks unlimited devices, more encrypted storage, full note history, locked and PIN-protected notes, the mood and wellness suite, every color theme, and Zen mode. Your privacy is never the product. 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 rating: PrivacyNotes at 5.0 against Proton Authenticator's 4.4. PrivacyNotes also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Proton Authenticator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (242 vs 1). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. PrivacyNotes sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Proton Authenticator asks for nothing beyond the download.
PrivacyNotes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Proton Authenticator has 242 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Proton Authenticator ships an update weekly, PrivacyNotes every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Proton Authenticator | PrivacyNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (242 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 55.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 242 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 119 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Proton AG | Lifetime Labs LLC |
Customer experience
Proton Authenticator
PrivacyNotes
Bugs and requests
Proton Authenticator
Reported bugs
4 issues- Sync/login loop on iPad
- 2FA input broken on non-iPhone devices
- Screen strobing on iPad
- Duplicate entries after import
Requested features
5 requests- PIN unlock for desktop
- Alphabetical sorting option
- Export function (not just Proton-specific backup)
- Native macOS app
- Option to hide item icons
PrivacyNotes
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Proton Authenticator
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 Proton Authenticator free?
Is PrivacyNotes free?
Which has better reviews, Proton Authenticator or PrivacyNotes?
Do Proton Authenticator or PrivacyNotes have ads?
Which is updated more often, Proton Authenticator or PrivacyNotes?
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