We make Protect text, so we are not neutral. Every tool below is a reasonable choice for someone; the question is what you need: several devices or one, an account or none, a lock or real encryption. Facts checked on 11 November 2026 from each product's own pages and store listings.
At a glance
| Protection | Account | Where notes live | Devices | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protect text | Every note encrypted (AES-256-GCM) with your password; recovery key | No | Only on your computer | Chrome on a computer | Free |
| Standard Notes | End-to-end encrypted | Yes | Encrypted on its servers, synced | Desktop, mobile, web | Free plan, paid plans |
| Bitwarden / Proton Pass (secure notes) | End-to-end encrypted vault | Yes | Encrypted in their cloud, synced | All, with browser extensions | Free plans, paid plans |
| Apple Notes (locked notes) | Locked with the device passcode or a Notes password | Apple device; iCloud to sync | Device or iCloud | iPhone, iPad, Mac | Free |
| OneNote (protected sections) | Password-protected sections, encrypted | Microsoft account | OneDrive or local | Windows, Mac, mobile; web can open but not set passwords | Free |
| ProtectedText.com | Encrypted in the browser, address + password | No | Encrypted on its server | Any browser | Free |
| Google Keep | No note lock | Google account | Google's servers | All | Free |
Protect text
A Chrome extension that opens in the side panel. Every note is encrypted with AES-256-GCM through the browser's Web Crypto; the key is protected by your password (PBKDF2-SHA-256, 600,000 rounds) and by a recovery key. The extension has no network access: nothing is uploaded, and it works offline. Auto-lock, hidden text for passwords, a password generator, checklists, pins and colors.
Lacks: sync and phone apps. Notes live on one computer; move them with an encrypted backup file. Read more.
Standard Notes
A notes app focused on privacy, with apps for desktop, mobile and the web. Notes are end-to-end encrypted and synced through your Standard Notes account; there is a free plan, and paid plans add features. Its Chrome item is a web clipper; the notes themselves live in the app.
Better than Protect text when you need the same encrypted notes on your phone and several computers. Protect text is better when you want no account and nothing on a server.
Password managers: Bitwarden and Proton Pass
Both have secure notes in the same end-to-end encrypted vault as your passwords, with browser extensions and phone apps; both need an account and keep the encrypted vault in their cloud. Great for a few secrets you need everywhere; less comfortable for writing longer notes. Password manager or encrypted notepad?
Apple Notes locked notes
On iPhone, iPad and Mac you can lock a note with your device passcode or a separate Notes password, and open it with Face ID or Touch ID. Apple cannot recover a forgotten Notes password. Some notes cannot be locked, for example shared notes and notes with certain attachments.
Lacks: Windows and Chrome. If you work on a PC, it is not an option.
OneNote password-protected sections
OneNote can protect a section of a notebook with a password; the content is encrypted and Microsoft cannot recover a lost section password. OneNote for the web can open protected sections but cannot set or change the password.
Lacks: protection for single notes, and a Microsoft account is part of the deal.
ProtectedText.com
A free website: pick an address, set a password, and your text is encrypted in the browser and stored on its server. Opens from any device; no recovery if you forget the password; needs the internet. Protect text vs ProtectedText.com.
Google Keep
Convenient and synced everywhere, but there is no lock for individual notes: anyone who can open your Google account or your unlocked phone can read them. Fine for shopping lists, not for secrets.
Which should I choose?
- Encrypted notes on all your devices: Standard Notes, or secure notes in your password manager.
- Apple-only household: Apple Notes locked notes.
- Notes in Chrome on one computer, no account, nothing on a server: Protect text.
- A document rather than notes: an encrypted 7z file (how).