Comparison

Strongbox vs Notesnook

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

Head to head
About

Strongbox

Securely store and manage all your passwords with one master password. Supports open-source formats and offers advanced security features like biometric unlock and YubiKey protection. Includes password auditing and cloud syncing for easy access.

Highlights
  • Biometric unlock (Face ID/Touch ID)
  • Passkey support
  • YubiKey protection
  • Password auditing (Have I Been Pwned?)
  • Cloud syncing (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive)
  • Secure password generation
  • TOTP Two Factor Authentication codes
Features
Read full description

Strongbox is an application for keeping all your passwords safely stored and protected by one master password. Supporting the open source Password Safe and KeePass formats. *** Features *** - Face ID/Touch ID Unlock for the ultimate in convenience, security and speed. - Passkey support - The latest, most convenient and most secure authentication method (passkeys). - PIN Code Unlock with a Duress PIN option for those tricky situations. - YubiKey protection - secure your databases with a hardware token. - Secure - protected by time tested military grade cryptography. - Private - Isolated In-App attachments viewer for your sensitive documents, photos & videos. - Audit your passwords - Automatically check your database for weak password including a 'Have I Been Pwned?' check. - Cloud Support, so you can access your cloud safes using iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, WebDAV or SFTP even when offline. Use the built in Files app for many other storage options or store them securely only on your local device. You choose your storage. - Search your entire set of passwords and secrets instantly and powerfully, with deep search. Autocomplete new entries, and auto generate secure passwords. - Compatible - Import/Export by Files app, Email, CSV, iTunes File Sharing or use cloud storage. - Standards compliant - using the time tested Password Safe and KeePass formats so you can import any existing password safe you have. - Features galore - Incredibly configurable password generation including Diceware (XKCD) & regular passwords. - Timed Auto Clear Clipboard. - Entry History. - KeePass Field References, Tags, Custom Icon & FavIcons (including automatic search & download). - Two Factor Authentication codes (TOTP) - QR Code, Steam & Manual. *** Strongbox is Freemium *** This means that Strongbox is free with a basic feature set, but if you like there are enhanced Pro features too. You can opt-in to a 90 day Free Trial of all the Pro features if you like, no obligations, but most find the Free version perfectly adequate. --------------------------------------------------------------------- • Strongbox provides In-App Purchases (both auto renewable subscriptions and one-off non-consumable) for Pro versions of the App • An outright/upfront (i.e. non In-App Purchase) option exists also, please see the Strongbox website for details. • Subscriptions are auto renewable with recurring billing. Cancel anytime. • The time period of the subscriptions are monthly, 3-monthly or yearly at users discretion • The user can also choose to purchase a 'Lifetime' one-off Pro version of the App • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable • Strongbox Privacy Policy may be found here: https://strongboxsafe.com/privacy-policy/ • Strongbox Terms of Use may be found here: https://strongboxsafe.com/terms/

About

Notesnook

This open-source app offers secure, encrypted note-taking and organization across all your devices. It features a robust editor, to-do lists, and a private journal with advanced security to protect your personal information.

Highlights
  • Military-grade encryption
  • Cross-platform synchronization
  • To-do lists and task management
  • Private journal with media support
  • Rich text and Markdown editor
  • Notebook organization
  • App lock with fingerprint support
Features
Read full description

Your notes are yours. Notesnook encrypts every one of them on your device before it ever reaches the cloud — so no one can read them. Not advertisers, not us. UNLIMITED NOTES. EVERY DEVICE. FREE. Most note apps cap the free plan until it hurts. Others stop after a few dozen notes. Notesnook never limits how much you write or how many devices you sync. A REAL EDITOR Headings, tables, code blocks, maths, outlines, Markdown and full-quality images. Notes that hold up whether you are writing a shopping list or a thesis chapter. ORGANISED AT ANY SIZE Nested notebooks, tags, colours, pinned and favourite notes, and search that stays instant at 10,000 notes. Link notes to each other and build your own private wiki. PRIVACY YOU CAN CHECK YOURSELF • End-to-end encryption is always on — you cannot switch it off, so you cannot forget • Encrypted on your device, in transit and at rest, using XChaCha20-Poly1305 and Argon2 • Even your notebook and tag names are encrypted • 100% open source under AGPLv3 — read every line, or run your own sync server • Recommended by Privacy Guides IMPORT YOUR OLD NOTES Bring your notes, notebooks and tags with you. Import from your previous notes app, plus plain Markdown and HTML files. EVERYWHERE YOU WRITE iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web. Sync is instant, and encrypted the whole way. ALSO INSIDE • Web clipper — save any article, ad-free and offline • Reminders across all your devices • Note version history, so nothing is ever really lost • Publish a note to a shareable link • Dark mode and custom themes FREE FOREVER Unlimited notes, unlimited devices, 50 notebooks, 50 tags and full end-to-end encryption. No ads. No trial countdown. PAID PLANS Add task lists, callouts, recurring reminders, more storage, and — on Pro — app lock, an encrypted vault and full-quality images. From $19.99 a year. Questions or feedback: support@streetwriters.co Privacy policy: https://notesnook.com/privacy Terms: https://notesnook.com/terms

Screenshots

Strongbox4 screens
Notesnook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Strongbox at 4.1K against Notesnook's 672. Strongbox also leads on device support (5 vs 3). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. Strongbox sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Notesnook sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Strongbox against 4.7 for Notesnook. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Strongbox has 4.1K ratings behind it against 672, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 84% of Strongbox's written reviews are positive against 79% of Notesnook's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Strongbox ships an update fortnightly, Notesnook every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Strongbox versus Notesnook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStrongboxNotesnook
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (4.1K ratings)4.7 (672 ratings)
Positive reviews83.7% of reviews — better78.8% of reviews
Number of ratings4.1K — better672
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size145 MB96 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPhoebe Code LimitedStreetwriters LLC

Customer experience

Strongbox

All ratings4,065 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral1.8%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews565 reviews
Positive83.7%
Neutral4.2%
Negative12.0%

Notesnook

All ratings672 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral2.4%
Negative4.6%
Written reviews401 reviews
Positive78.8%
Neutral6.5%
Negative14.7%

User reviews

Strongbox

From 4.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Seamless integration with iOS
  • 🔒 Highly secure with end-to-end encryption
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • 🔒 Open-source and transparent
  • 🚀 Reliable and stable performance

Room to improve

  • 💰 Paid features can be expensive for some users
  • 🐛 Occasional syncing and compatibility issues
  • 💰 Lifetime license cost may be prohibitive
  • 🐛 Bugs and crashes reported by some users

Notesnook

From 672 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 🔒 Secure and private
  • 👍 Clean and intuitive UI
  • 👍 Cross-platform compatibility
  • 👍 Generous free tier

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Sync and login issues
  • 🐛 Buggy and crashes
  • 💰 Expensive premium tier
  • 🔒 Lack of free encryption features

Bugs and requests

Strongbox

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes when using certain iOS versions
  • Issues with database syncing and corruption

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to create custom templates and fields
  • Improved organization and search functionality
  • Tighter integration with Apple Keychain
  • Support for more cloud storage providers

Notesnook

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on launch on older iOS devices
  • Sync issues leading to data loss
  • Unreliable login and verification process

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved search functionality
  • Reminders and calendar integration
  • Handwriting and drawing support
  • Multilingual support
  • Improved table and spreadsheet features

In-app purchases

14 purchases

Strongbox

Subscriptions8
  • Strongbox Pro (Monthly)2 variants$2.991 Month
  • Monthly Tip$2.991 Month
  • Strongbox Pro (Yearly)3 Months trial$19.991 Year
Show 5 more
  • Strongbox Pro (Yearly)1 Month trial$19.991 Year
  • Yearly Tip$19.991 Year
  • Strongbox Pro (Yearly)1 Year trial$24.991 Year
  • Strongbox Pro (Yearly)3 Months trial$24.991 Year
  • Strongbox Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time6
  • Little Tip$4.99
  • Small Tip$9.99
  • Medium Tip$19.99
Show 3 more
  • Large Tip$99.99
  • Strongbox Pro (Lifetime)$99.99
  • Huge Tip$199.99
17 purchases

Notesnook

Subscriptions17
  • Notesnook Pro$0.991 Month
  • Notesnook Essential Plan7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Notesnook Pro$2.491 Month
Show 14 more
  • Notesnook Pro Plan7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Notesnook Pro3 variants$4.491 Month
  • Notesnook Pro1 Month trial$4.491 Month
  • Notesnook Pro Plan7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Notesnook Believer Plan7 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Notesnook Pro$9.991 Year
  • Notesnook Essential Plan14 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Notesnook Pro$24.991 Year
  • Notesnook Pro Plan14 Days trial$29.901 Year
  • Notesnook Pro Yearly$49.991 Year
  • Notesnook Pro2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Notesnook Pro1 Year trial$49.991 Year
  • Notesnook Pro Plan14 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Notesnook Believer Plan14 Days trial$89.991 Year

Questions

Is Strongbox free?
Strongbox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Notesnook free?
Notesnook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Strongbox or Notesnook?
Strongbox and Notesnook are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4.1K and 672 ratings respectively.
Do Strongbox or Notesnook have ads?
Neither Strongbox nor Notesnook shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Strongbox or Notesnook?
Strongbox ships an update fortnightly, and Notesnook every 8 days. Most recently, Strongbox was updated on October 17, 2026 and Notesnook on October 16, 2026.

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