# Proton Authenticator vs PrivacyNotes

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Proton Authenticator | PrivacyNotes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (242 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/proton-authenticator/id6741758667/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/privacynotes-zero-knowledge/id6785958812/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **242** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 55.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 119 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Proton AG](https://appshunter.io/developer/979659484) | [Lifetime Labs LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6785958814) |

## What reviewers say

### Proton Authenticator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/proton-authenticator/id6741758667)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Cross-platform support
- 🔒 Secure cloud sync
- 👍 Easy import from other authenticators
- 🚀 Convenient 'next' feature for codes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy UI (scrolling jitters, random sorting)
- 👎 Lack of customization options (pin favorites, change icons)
- 🐛 Sync/login issues on iPad

**Reported bugs**

- Sync/login loop on iPad
- 2FA input broken on non-iPhone devices
- Screen strobing on iPad
- Duplicate entries after import

**Requested features**

- PIN unlock for desktop
- Alphabetical sorting option
- Export function (not just Proton-specific backup)
- Native macOS app
- Option to hide item icons


### PrivacyNotes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/privacynotes-zero-knowledge/id6785958812)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 GB Encrypted Storage | $4.99 | per year |
| 2 GB Encrypted Storage | $8.99 | per year |
| 5 GB Encrypted Storage | $17.99 | per year |
| PrivacyNotes Pro | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*