Comparison

PassFM vs Hacker Note

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

Head to head
About

PassFM

Securely store and manage your private files, including photos, videos, documents, and notes. This app offers a private browser for safe web activity and allows for easy file import, export, and sharing. Protect your sensitive information with password protection and local storage.

Highlights
  • Password-protected file storage
  • Private photo and video viewer/player
  • Built-in private web browser
  • Import, export, and share files
  • Private contact and note management
  • WiFi file transfer
Features
Read full description

PassFM is a private file manager to protect your privacy. Setup password and lock your private albums, photos, videos, notes, documents and contacts. All files are stored locally. PassFM has a built-in photo viewer, video player and web browser. It is easy to import, preview, download, search, export files. File Manager: - Safely import your private images, videos, notes, docs to this app. - You can export photo and video to Photos or Files anytime. - Easy to transfer files via WiFi. - Easy to share to the third party App such as Mail, WeChat, Evernote, Dropbox. - Supported image formats: jpg, png, gif, bmp, webp, etc. - Supported video formats: mov, m4v, mp4, mpv, 3gp. - Supported text formats: txt, text, md, markdown, markd, markdn, mdown, mkd, mkdn. - Supported document formats: doc, ppt, xls, docx, pptx, xlsx, key, numbers, pages, pdf, rtf. Private Browser: - Full-featured、InPrivate browser. - No visit history. - Easy to add, manage bookmarks. - Easy to download all the images on the page. - Easy to download web videos, download HLS/M3U8 and convert to MP4. - Save webpage contents into PDF. Private Contact: - Unlimited add contacts. - Add a note to a contact. - Speed dial, send SMS, send e-mail. Private notes: - Markdown syntax highlighting. - Unlimited add notes. About Privacy: Your privacy is important to us. - PassFM app does not copy or store your Photos, Videos, Contacts, Notes, Docs, etc. - Please regularly backup data to your computer or mobile hard drive. - Do not uninstall PassFM app, clear app data or delete files. Otherwise, all your files will be lost forever. Support: Please contact xappbox+passcalc@gmail.com if you need any help.

About

Hacker Note

This note-taking app offers a unique "coolness" with a design inspired by hackers and sci-fi movies. Enjoy a futuristic feel with a transparent background option and customizable themes. It includes essential features like categorization, password protection, and cloud backup.

Highlights
  • High-performance and simple functionality
  • Transparent app background
  • Theme color customization
  • Category management
  • HTML and Markdown output
  • Password protection
  • Google Drive backup
Features
Read full description

Recommended for those who are tired of general Note Taking apps. Hacker Note is a simple Note Taking App that pursues "coolness". The design is based on the image of "hackers," "sci-fi movies". example "The Matrix". It is also equipped with a function that makes app background look transparent, so you can enjoy a sense of the near future while taking notes, which is different from ordinary memos. [Main functions] ・ High-performance and simple function ・ Background transparency function ・ Theme color change function ・ Category function ・Output function to HTML and markdown ・ Password setting ・ Backup to Google Drive ・Cool Japanese mode - For cool Japanese displays such as kanji. [Features to be expanded in the future] ・ A cooler color theme

Screenshots

PassFM4 screens
Hacker Note4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Hacker Note at 86% against PassFM's 48%. Hacker Note also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). PassFM's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $9.99). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

PassFM costs $2.99 and Hacker Note $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PassFM ships an update every 3 months, Hacker Note fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PassFM versus Hacker Note: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPassFMHacker Note
Price$2.99 — better$9.99
Rating3.7 (9 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews48.3% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS14.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB36 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developer刘生 林yuki okada

Customer experience

PassFM

All ratings9 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive48.3%
Neutral24.1%
Negative27.6%

Hacker Note

Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

None

PassFM

No in-app purchases

None

Hacker Note

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PassFM free?
PassFM costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hacker Note free?
Hacker Note costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do PassFM or Hacker Note have ads?
Neither PassFM nor Hacker Note shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PassFM or Hacker Note?
PassFM ships an update every 3 months, and Hacker Note fortnightly. Most recently, PassFM was updated on October 7, 2026 and Hacker Note on September 24, 2026.

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