Passbook is private by design.
Your data never touches our server.
Your Google Drive
No cloud database
Your data lives on your device and your personal drive. There is no central Passbook Database for hackers to target.
Only you hold the key
Your data is encrypted on your device and synced to your personal drive. Nobody can read your data, not us, not even Google.
Private web access
Access your data from any browser. Your encrypted vault is decrypted only in your browser — nothing touches our servers.
Our privacy philosophy
We believe you shouldn't have to choose between privacy and convenience. Most finance apps let you link your accounts for easy access, but in return, you hand over your data.
We built Passbook to give you a better choice. You get the convenience of an app without compromising your privacy.
Frequently asked questions
Privacy Architecture
How is Passbook different from other wealth tracker apps?
Most apps follow a "Data for Service" model—they provide a free tracker in exchange for your financial data, which they then use to sell you investments, loans, or insurance. Passbook is local-first. We have no central servers and zero interest in your data. It is a private tool built to help you manage your wealth, not to monetize your life.
Can I access my data over the internet?
Yes. While Passbook is a local-first app, you aren’t tethered to one device. We’ve built a secure way for you to access your vault via the web without compromising your privacy. When you log in through view.passbook.family, your browser pulls your encrypted vault directly from your Google Drive and decrypts it locally on your screen. Your financial data is never sent to a Passbook server; it remains a private connection between your browser and your personal cloud.
Is my data sent to Passbook’s servers at any point?
Your financial data never touches our servers. We only receive two specific pieces of information: your primary email address (to manage your subscription) and an anonymized installation ID. This ID is generated using a unique salt for each installation, ensuring it is never linked to your actual hardware identity.
Can I use Passbook without an internet connection?
Yes. Passbook is a desktop-first app that works perfectly offline. You can view your portfolio and manage documents without any connection. You only need the internet to fetch current market prices or to sync your encrypted backup to your Google Drive.
What if Passbook as a company shuts down?
Because Passbook is local-first, you are never locked out. Even if our website or company ceased to exist tomorrow, the app on your laptop would continue to work perfectly. You aren't just a user; you are the sovereign owner of your data.
Data & Security
Where exactly is my data stored?
Your data lives in two places:
- On your device: In an encrypted SQLite database on your local computer.
- On your Google Drive: Passbook automatically syncs an encrypted backup to a hidden folder in your personal Google Drive.
Is my data safe on Google Drive?
Yes. Your data is encrypted locally before it leaves your device. Even Google cannot read your information because they do not have your Master Password. You are using Google Drive as a private, encrypted storage vault that only you can unlock.
What level of encryption is used?
We use the most modern and robust cryptographic standards available today:
- Database & Backups: We use ChaCha20, the same high-performance cipher used in TLS 1.3 (the modern standard for internet security). It ensures your data is unreadable at rest.
- Master Password: We use Argon2id to derive your encryption keys. This is the global gold standard for password security, used by top-tier password managers like 1Password and KeePassXC.
- Key Protection: On your desktop, your keys are "wrapped" and stored in your device's native hardware—the Secure Enclave on Mac or TPM on Windows.
Do you support other storage providers like Dropbox?
Passbook is built on the principle of "Bring Your Own Cloud." We are starting with support for Google Drive, but we plan to add other providers like Dropbox and OneDrive in the future.
Recovery & Access
What happens if I forget my Master Password?
Because Passbook is private, we cannot reset your password from our side. However, you can reset it using your biometrics or system password as long as you are on the same device where Passbook is installed. Your hardware will release the stored key, allowing you to set a new Master Password and re-encrypt your entire vault.
Note: If you forget your password and lose your device, your data cannot be recovered.
What happens if I lose my laptop?
Your data is safe in your Google Drive. To recover it, you install Passbook on a new device, log in to your Google account, and enter your Master Password.
(Note: Restore to a new device is a coming-soon feature).
Sharing with Family
How do I securely share this with my family?
Sharing is managed through the Passbook Desktop app. You connect your loved one’s Google Drive, and Passbook places a secure, encrypted copy of the vault directly into their Drive.
How does my family access the data?
They can visit view.passbook.family to log in. The encrypted vault is first pulled from their Drive into the browser. Only then are they prompted to enter the Master Password. The decryption happens entirely within their browser. The data never touches our servers and is never visible to anyone without the password.
Can I revoke access at any time?
Yes. You have total control. If you remove a family member's Drive from your Passbook Desktop app, the secure copy is automatically deleted from their Drive, instantly revoking their access.
Can I choose to share only specific items?
Currently, the entire vault is shared to ensure your family has everything they need in an emergency. However, we are working on "Selective Sharing," which will allow you to choose exactly which folders or notes you want to share.
(Note: Selective sharing is a coming-soon feature).