Kagi Assistant vs PrivacyNotes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Kagi Assistant
Access over 30 leading AI models for private, ad-free interactions. Get grounded answers with web access, create custom assistants, and manage conversations with adjustable retention controls. Designed for thinkers, creators, and professionals to enhance problem-solving and research.
- Access 30+ leading AI models
- Private chat with adjustable retention
- Create custom assistants
- Web access for grounded answers
- Quick and Research Assistant modes
- Edit prompts and switch models mid-conversation
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Kagi Assistant combines Kagi Search with 30+ leading AI models, giving you the best of search and AI in one fast, ad-free app. Get current, source-backed answers, choose the right model for any task, and work without ads, tracking, or engagement-driven noise. • Combine Kagi Search with leading AI models Kagi Assistant pairs the world’s best search engine with state-of-the-art AI models for current, source-backed answers. • Choose from 30+ AI models Switch models at any point in a conversation without starting over. • Keep conversations private Your conversations are never used to train AI models, and your account information is never shared with model providers. Threads are deleted after 24 hours by default, with controls for changing retention. • Create custom assistants Configure assistants for research, coding, writing, or other workflows using custom instructions, models, web access, and Kagi Lenses. • Go quick or go deep Use Quick Assistant for straightforward questions or Research Assistant for complex, multi-step investigations. • Work your way Edit prompts, switch models mid-conversation, upload files, and organize threads into folders. Model and feature availability varies by subscription plan. By using Kagi Assistant, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Privacy Policy: https://kagi.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://kagi.com/privacy#Terms-of-use
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 monetization model: Kagi Assistant at free against PrivacyNotes's free with in-app purchases. Kagi Assistant also leads on ratings volume (36 vs 1). PrivacyNotes's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Kagi Assistant sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $28.99 per month and PrivacyNotes sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
PrivacyNotes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kagi Assistant has 36 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Kagi Assistant ships an update weekly, PrivacyNotes every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Kagi Assistant | PrivacyNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (36 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 65.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 36 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kagi Inc. | Lifetime Labs LLC |
Customer experience
Kagi Assistant
PrivacyNotes
In-app purchases
Kagi Assistant
- Ultimate Monthly$28.991 Month
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 Kagi Assistant free?
Is PrivacyNotes free?
Which has better reviews, Kagi Assistant or PrivacyNotes?
Do Kagi Assistant or PrivacyNotes have ads?
Which is updated more often, Kagi Assistant or PrivacyNotes?
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