Comparison

Proton Authenticator vs PrivacyNotes

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

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

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

Proton Authenticator4 screens
PrivacyNotes4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Proton Authenticator ships an update weekly, PrivacyNotes every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Proton Authenticator versus PrivacyNotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProton AuthenticatorPrivacyNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (242 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings242 — better1
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size119 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperProton AGLifetime Labs LLC

Customer experience

Proton Authenticator

All ratings242 ratings
Positive82.2%
Neutral7.4%
Negative10.3%
Written reviews242 reviews
Positive55.8%
Neutral20.7%
Negative23.6%

PrivacyNotes

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

None

Proton Authenticator

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 Proton Authenticator free?
Proton Authenticator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PrivacyNotes free?
PrivacyNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Proton Authenticator or PrivacyNotes?
PrivacyNotes is rated higher. Proton Authenticator averages 4.4 out of 5 from 242 ratings, while PrivacyNotes averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Proton Authenticator or PrivacyNotes have ads?
Neither Proton Authenticator nor PrivacyNotes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Proton Authenticator or PrivacyNotes?
Proton Authenticator ships an update weekly, and PrivacyNotes every 3 days. Most recently, Proton Authenticator was updated on October 2, 2026 and PrivacyNotes on September 20, 2026.

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