Cryptee

Cryptee brings private photo storage and a document editor into one service. It suits people who want both media and writing kept under their control, especially those who need offline access or are moving from another app. Its main compromise is capacity: the free plan is only 100 MB.

Overview

Cryptee combines cloud storage for photos and videos with an encrypted editor for notes, journals, and documents. It says files are encrypted on the device with AES-256 before upload, using keys the company cannot access. Its software and cryptography are open source for independent review, and the company says signup requires no personal information, it does not track or log activity, and it serves no advertisements.

The all-in-one approach is appealing if you want writing and media in a single private space. It is less compelling if you need only one of those functions or expect a large free archive. Cryptee says it is incorporated in Estonia and keeps user data on its own servers and infrastructure in Europe.

Key features

Photos includes hashtags, typo-tolerant search, EXIF data, RAW-file support, favorites, and encrypted sharing links. Ghost Albums and Ghost Folders can hide selected folders from the account view until you enter their names again. That is useful for reducing casual visibility, but it is a concealment feature, not a replacement for encryption.

The editor supports Markdown, tables, right-to-left languages, and KaTeX math, and handles DOCX, PDF, and ODT files. It can import Evernote content and export to PDF, DOCX, ODT, or Markdown, including encrypted PDF exports. This format range makes Cryptee more practical for document workflows than a notes-only vault, though the product's appeal rests on keeping those tools within the same encrypted service.

Cryptee works offline and can be installed as a progressive web app from a browser. Migration guides cover Evernote, Bear Notes, iCloud Notes, Google Photos, and Amazon Photos. Help articles and forms are available for questions, feedback, and bug reports.

Pricing

The Free plan costs $0.00 and provides 100 MB forever. It is enough to try the service or keep a small set of notes, but not a realistic home for a growing photo and video library.

• 10 GB: €3.00 per month. The entry paid tier is the sensible step up for a modest collection of documents and media.
• 400 GB: €9.00 per month. This offers substantially more room for regular photo storage without moving to the largest tier.
• 2000 GB: €27.00 per month. This is the plan for people who want to keep a much larger library in Cryptee.

The paid tiers increase storage rather than changing the product's core proposition. Choose based on the size of the collection you intend to keep; even the cheapest paid plan is a major capacity increase over the free allowance.

Platforms

Cryptee supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Browser access and PWA installation cover desktop and mobile without app-store downloads, which suits people who prefer browser-based tools or need offline access across devices.

Who it's for

Cryptee is a strong fit for privacy-conscious users who want encrypted photos, videos, notes, and documents together, particularly writers who work offline or users migrating from another notes or photo service. Its support for RAW files and encrypted sharing links also makes it relevant to people managing personal photo collections.

Look elsewhere if you need a substantial free storage allowance or want a dedicated tool for only notes or only photos. At 100 MB, Free is a sampler, not a practical long-term media plan.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Device-side AES-256 encryption and open-source software and cryptography make privacy a central design choice.
• Pros: Photos, documents, and notes share one service, with useful format support and offline editing.
• Pros: Browser-based PWA access spans desktop and mobile without app-store installation.
• Cons: The free plan's 100 MB is too small for a meaningful photo or video archive.
• Cons: Larger collections require a paid plan, with storage capacity determining which tier makes sense.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison of privacy-focused writing tools, see Secure Notes Apps; for encrypted file storage, browse Secure Cloud Storage; and for photo-focused services, see Photo Storage Services.

Notesnook is another freemium option with a free tier that includes 50 MB storage per month and a 10 MB maximum note size; choose it if those note-specific limits fit better than Cryptee's combined media-and-document approach. PrivacyNotes is worth considering if you want published encryption code and apps under the AGPL. Dash offers a free web PWA and iPhone option with offline use and no account required, making it an alternative for readers prioritizing that setup. Standard Notes has a free plan with end-to-end encryption, unlimited device sync, plain-text notes, and offline access, so it may suit a notes-first workflow. Turtl offers a Basic plan with three collaborators per Space and 50 MB storage, which may suit collaborative Spaces. Notyra is free and says every line of code is auditable. Joplin is another freemium choice, with a Basic plan at €2.99 per month and a 14-day free trial. Binderus is a free desktop app for Linux, macOS, and Windows with every feature included and no account required.

Verdict

Choose Cryptee if you want one encrypted home for photos, videos, notes, and documents, with offline access and broad file-format support. The combination is its clearest advantage; the 100 MB free cap is its clearest drawback. If that ceiling is too restrictive and you do not want a paid storage plan, a more focused alternative is likely a better fit.