What makes Standard Notes a great Google Keep alternative
In the world of digital note-taking, Google Keep and Standard Notes have emerged as popular choices.
- However, if you're concerned about storing sensitive information in a Google-backed service, and worried your data might be mined for advertising and targeting purposes, Standard Notes stands out as a maximum privacy-preserving platform with a more compelling feature set than Google Keep.
Features Comparison Table
| Google Keep | Standard Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Employees can read your notes | ✅ | ❌ |
| Hackers can read your notes | ✅ | ❌ |
| Revenue Model | Advertising | User Funded |
| End-to-end encrypted | ❌ | ✅ |
| On-device encryption | ❌ | ✅ |
| Encryption in transit | ✅ | ✅ |
| Encryption at rest | ❓ | ✅ |
| Third-party security audited | ❓ | ✅ |
| Two-factor authentication | ✅ | ✅ |
| Source code is publicly viewable | ❌ | ✅ |
| Password Protection for Notes | ❌ | ✅ |
| App Lock (Passcode, Face ID, Fingerprint) | ❌ | ✅ |
| End-to-end encrypted file storage | ❌ | ✅ |
| Text Notes | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rich Text | ✅ | ✅ |
| Markdown | ❌ | ✅ |
| Tasks & Todos | ✅ | ✅ |
| Nested Folders | ❌ | ✅ |
| Note Pinning & Archiving | ✅ | ✅ |
| Easy Data Import & Export | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom Smart Views | ❌ | ✅ |
| Inline images | ❌ | ✅ |
| Bi-directional note linking | ❌ | ✅ |
| Plugin support | ❌ | ✅ |
| Daily email backups | ❌ | ✅ |
| Integrated Blogging Platform | ❌ | ✅ |
| Desktop application | ❌ | ✅ |
| Web application | ✅ | ✅ |
| iOS application | ✅ | ✅ |
| Android application | ✅ | ✅ |
| Web clipper | ❌ | ✅ |
Detailed Comparison
- Security and Privacy: Standard Notes leads in security with end-to-end encryption, on-device encryption, and being third-party security audited. In contrast, Google Keep lacks these advanced security features, highlighting Standard Notes as the better choice for users concerned about data privacy.
- Revenue Model: Google Keep operates on an advertising-based model, while Standard Notes is user-funded. This distinction can be crucial for users who prefer a service not reliant on advertising, which often involves data collection.
- Encryption Strength: Both apps offer encryption in transit, but Standard Notes takes it a step further with encryption at rest and end-to-end encrypted file storage, ensuring superior data protection at all stages.
- Transparency and Trust: Standard Notes provides publicly viewable source code, affirming its commitment to transparency and trustworthiness. Google Keep's source code, on the other hand, is private and proprietary.
- Note Security Features: Both apps offer similar functionalities like text notes, rich text, tasks & todos, and note pinning & archiving. However, Standard Notes enhances note security with password protection, app lock options (Passcode, Face ID, Fingerprint), and end-to-end encrypted file storage.
- Functionality and Usability: Standard Notes supports markdown, nested folders, custom smart views, inline images, and bi-directional note linking, features absent in Google Keep. These functionalities offer more flexibility and control over note organization and presentation.
- Extended Features: Standard Notes stands out with unique features like plugin support, daily email backups, and an integrated blogging platform, providing a comprehensive note-taking ecosystem. These features are not available in Google Keep.
- Platform Availability: Both Google Keep and Standard Notes are available as web, iOS, and Android applications. However, Standard Notes also offers a desktop application, providing more versatility for users across different platforms.
Conclusion
Considering the comprehensive feature set, advanced security, and privacy-focused design, Standard Notes emerges as the superior choice over Google Keep, particularly for users who prioritize data security, transparency, and a rich array of functionalities in their digital note-taking experience.
Resources
Switch from Google Keep today to enjoy a richer, more private note-taking experience
Start using Standard Notes completely free on all your devices, with full end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication. Upgrade only when you need more power.
