Comparison

Private Notes vs Plainsight

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

Head to head
About

Private Notes

Features
Read full description

LockNotes is a privacy-focused iOS app that lets you store personal notes securely on your device with built-in lock protection. Your data stays local, works offline, and is never uploaded to the cloud. Designed for speed, simplicity, and security, LockNotes gives you full control over your private information.

About

Plainsight

Features
Read full description

PlainSight: The Disguised Note Vault Keep your most sensitive notes completely invisible to everyone else. No obvious PIN pads. No suspicious lock screens. Just total privacy, hidden in plain sight. PlainSight looks and functions like a beautiful, minimal note-taking app on the surface—perfect for daily tasks, grocery lists, and quick thoughts. But underneath its calm interface holds a powerful secret. By typing your own custom secret command phrase directly into a standard note field, PlainSight instantly unlocks your hidden workspaces. To an outside observer or anyone browsing your phone, your private vaults don't even exist. HOW IT WORKS: THE SECRET KNOCK CREATE YOUR TRIGGER Choose absolutely any secret phrase or word like .banana, ..manage, or a custom string of text. TYPE TO REVEAL Type your secret phrase anywhere in the text field to instantly slide open your private workspaces. TOTAL PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY PlainSight doesn't broadcast that you have something to hide. There are no "Incorrect Password" errors or biometric pop-ups to raise suspicion if you hand your phone to a friend, colleague, or family member. POWERFUL PRIVACY, MINIMALIST DESIGN WRITE WITH CLARITY Open instantly into a clean, distraction-free editor. No toolbars, no clutter—just a smooth, fast writing space that stays out of your way. ORGANIZE EFFORTLESSLY Group your sensitive data using lightweight tags and categories. Keep your personal journals, account numbers, business ideas, or travel itineraries meticulously structured. SECURE EMAIL RECOVERY Forget your secret word? Don't panic. You can securely reset your access via an encrypted recovery code sent to your email. Your notes remain completely local, encrypted, and yours—but you'll never be locked out. SECURE REAL-TIME COLLABORATION Need to share a shopping list with a partner or collaborate on a private project with a teammate? Turn any workspace into a shared space. PlainSight syncs instantly across devices in real time, giving you seamless multi-user collaboration without the bloat of heavy corporate productivity tools. FEATURES BUILT TO STAY INVISIBLE Fast writing tools and clean formatting Custom tags and categories Real-time multi-user collaboration Archive, delete, and restore controls Secure workspace management Smooth, instant cloud sync NO SUBSCRIPTIONS. NO SURPRISES. PlainSight is fully free for simple, personal note-taking. If you want advanced power—including multi-user shared workspaces, unlimited hidden spaces, and full real-time cloud sync across devices—unlock everything with a single, small, one-time upgrade. No monthly fees, ever. Protect your thoughts with absolute discretion. Download PlainSight and secure your notes today.

Screenshots

Private Notes4 screens
Plainsight4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Private Notes at none against Plainsight's 1. Plainsight's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, update cadence, 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. Plainsight sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Private Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private Notes ships an update fortnightly, Plainsight every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Private Notes versus Plainsight: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate NotesPlainsight
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTalal AslamRanjan Ghimire

In-app purchases

None

Private Notes

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Plainsight

One-time1
  • Plainsight - Private Notes$4.99

Questions

Is Private Notes free?
Private Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Plainsight free?
Plainsight is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Private Notes or Plainsight have ads?
Neither Private Notes nor Plainsight shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Private Notes or Plainsight?
Private Notes ships an update fortnightly, and Plainsight every 2 weeks. Most recently, Private Notes was updated on September 11, 2026 and Plainsight on September 10, 2026.

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