FlowNote vs Standard Notes
Two approaches to encrypted notes
Both FlowNote and Standard Notes encrypt your notes by default - a rarity in the notes app world. The key differences: FlowNote is voice-first with smart search, while Standard Notes is text-focused and open source. Here's how they compare.
Feature Comparison
Where FlowNote Shines
Blind Index Search
FlowNote's killer feature: search your encrypted notes server-side without decrypting them. Standard Notes must decrypt all notes locally before searching - slow on mobile and with large databases.
Voice-First Design
Speak your thoughts and they're instantly transcribed, encrypted, and searchable. Standard Notes is text-only - no voice recording or transcription.
Smart Organization
FlowNote automatically extracts to-dos and detects reminders from your voice notes. Standard Notes requires manual organization.
Apple Watch Integration
Record encrypted voice notes directly from your wrist. Standard Notes has no wearable support.
Where Standard Notes Shines
Open Source & Audited
Fully open source with four independent security audits. Now owned by Proton AG (ProtonMail). You can verify the code yourself.
Cross-Platform
Native apps for Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. FlowNote is currently iOS and web only.
Rich Editor Options
Multiple editor types including Markdown, rich text, code, and spreadsheets. Better for complex text-based notes.
Longer Track Record
Established since 2017 with a proven security model. FlowNote is newer but uses industry-standard encryption.
The Verdict
Choose FlowNote if you capture notes by voice, want fast encrypted search, and value automatic organization. The blind index search is a game-changer for privacy-conscious users with lots of notes.
Choose Standard Notes if you need Android/Linux support, want open source code you can audit, or primarily work with text-based notes and complex formatting.
Try FlowNote
Experience voice-first encrypted notes.