diff --git a/app/Console/Commands/Concerns/ResolvesFeatures.php b/app/Console/Commands/Concerns/ResolvesFeatures.php
index ad21d0f6..395a0f0f 100644
--- a/app/Console/Commands/Concerns/ResolvesFeatures.php
+++ b/app/Console/Commands/Concerns/ResolvesFeatures.php
@@ -49,6 +49,6 @@ trait ResolvesFeatures
 
     private function getStringBasedFeatures(): array
     {
-        return ['budgets'];
+        return ['budgets', 'plaintext-transactions'];
     }
 }
diff --git a/app/Http/Middleware/HandleInertiaRequests.php b/app/Http/Middleware/HandleInertiaRequests.php
index 2c933472..2aab5a0c 100644
--- a/app/Http/Middleware/HandleInertiaRequests.php
+++ b/app/Http/Middleware/HandleInertiaRequests.php
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ class HandleInertiaRequests extends Middleware
             'features' => [
                 'cashflow' => true,
                 'budgets' => $user ? Feature::for($user)->active('budgets') : false,
+                'plaintext-transactions' => $user ? Feature::for($user)->active('plaintext-transactions') : false,
             ],
             'accounts' => fn () => $user ? $user->accounts()
                 ->with('bank:id,name,logo')
diff --git a/app/Http/Requests/StoreTransactionRequest.php b/app/Http/Requests/StoreTransactionRequest.php
index d5d2cd65..58d82bbe 100644
--- a/app/Http/Requests/StoreTransactionRequest.php
+++ b/app/Http/Requests/StoreTransactionRequest.php
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ namespace App\Http\Requests;
 use App\Enums\TransactionSource;
 use Illuminate\Foundation\Http\FormRequest;
 use Illuminate\Validation\Rule;
+use Laravel\Pennant\Feature;
 
 class StoreTransactionRequest extends FormRequest
 {
@@ -30,7 +31,9 @@ class StoreTransactionRequest extends FormRequest
                 }),
             ],
             'description' => ['required', 'string'],
-            'description_iv' => ['required', 'string', 'size:16'],
+            'description_iv' => Feature::for($this->user())->active('plaintext-transactions')
+                ? ['nullable', 'string', 'size:16']
+                : ['required', 'string', 'size:16'],
             'transaction_date' => ['required', 'date'],
             'amount' => ['required', 'integer'],
             'currency_code' => ['required', 'string', 'size:3'],
diff --git a/app/Http/Requests/UpdateTransactionRequest.php b/app/Http/Requests/UpdateTransactionRequest.php
index 2ded7f41..e08b9e08 100644
--- a/app/Http/Requests/UpdateTransactionRequest.php
+++ b/app/Http/Requests/UpdateTransactionRequest.php
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ namespace App\Http\Requests;
 
 use Illuminate\Foundation\Http\FormRequest;
 use Illuminate\Validation\Rule;
+use Laravel\Pennant\Feature;
 
 class UpdateTransactionRequest extends FormRequest
 {
@@ -22,7 +23,9 @@ class UpdateTransactionRequest extends FormRequest
                 }),
             ],
             'description' => ['sometimes', 'string'],
-            'description_iv' => ['sometimes', 'string', 'size:16'],
+            'description_iv' => Feature::for($this->user())->active('plaintext-transactions')
+                ? ['nullable', 'string', 'size:16']
+                : ['sometimes', 'string', 'size:16'],
             'notes' => ['nullable', 'string'],
             'notes_iv' => ['nullable', 'string', 'size:16'],
             'label_ids' => ['nullable', 'array'],
diff --git a/app/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php b/app/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php
index 797fd6e7..a3f7f2fc 100644
--- a/app/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php
+++ b/app/Providers/AppServiceProvider.php
@@ -40,5 +40,6 @@ class AppServiceProvider extends ServiceProvider
         });
 
         Feature::define('budgets', fn (User $user) => true);
+        Feature::define('plaintext-transactions', fn (User $user) => false);
     }
 }
diff --git a/database/factories/TransactionFactory.php b/database/factories/TransactionFactory.php
index edbf05f9..e3683359 100644
--- a/database/factories/TransactionFactory.php
+++ b/database/factories/TransactionFactory.php
@@ -41,4 +41,14 @@ class TransactionFactory extends Factory
             'source' => TransactionSource::Imported,
         ]);
     }
+
+    public function plaintext(): static
+    {
+        return $this->state(fn (array $attributes) => [
+            'description' => fake()->sentence(),
+            'description_iv' => null,
+            'notes' => fake()->optional()->paragraph(),
+            'notes_iv' => null,
+        ]);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/database/migrations/2026_02_09_131403_make_description_iv_nullable_on_transactions.php b/database/migrations/2026_02_09_131403_make_description_iv_nullable_on_transactions.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b8d58c24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/database/migrations/2026_02_09_131403_make_description_iv_nullable_on_transactions.php
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+<?php
+
+use Illuminate\Database\Migrations\Migration;
+use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
+use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
+
+return new class extends Migration
+{
+    /**
+     * Run the migrations.
+     */
+    public function up(): void
+    {
+        Schema::table('transactions', function (Blueprint $table) {
+            $table->string('description_iv', 16)->nullable()->change();
+        });
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reverse the migrations.
+     */
+    public function down(): void
+    {
+        Schema::table('transactions', function (Blueprint $table) {
+            $table->string('description_iv', 16)->nullable(false)->change();
+        });
+    }
+};
diff --git a/resources/js/components/transactions/edit-transaction-dialog.tsx b/resources/js/components/transactions/edit-transaction-dialog.tsx
index c694197e..aa67b102 100644
--- a/resources/js/components/transactions/edit-transaction-dialog.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/components/transactions/edit-transaction-dialog.tsx
@@ -41,9 +41,11 @@ import {
 import { type AutomationRule } from '@/types/automation-rule';
 import { type Category } from '@/types/category';
 import { type Label } from '@/types/label';
+import { type SharedData } from '@/types';
 import { type DecryptedTransaction } from '@/types/transaction';
 import { formatDate } from '@/utils/date';
 import { __ } from '@/utils/i18n';
+import { usePage } from '@inertiajs/react';
 import { getYear, parseISO } from 'date-fns';
 import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import { toast } from 'sonner';
@@ -79,6 +81,8 @@ export function EditTransactionDialog({
 
     const { isKeySet } = useEncryptionKey();
     const { sync } = useSyncContext();
+    const { features } = usePage<SharedData>().props;
+    const isPlaintext = features['plaintext-transactions'];
     const [transactionDate, setTransactionDate] = useState('');
     const [description, setDescription] = useState('');
     const [amount, setAmount] = useState<number>(0);
@@ -332,7 +336,7 @@ export function EditTransactionDialog({
     async function handleSubmit(e: React.FormEvent) {
         e.preventDefault();
 
-        if (!isKeySet) {
+        if (!isPlaintext && !isKeySet) {
             toast.error(
                 __('Please unlock your encryption key to save transactions'),
             );
@@ -370,10 +374,10 @@ export function EditTransactionDialog({
         try {
             const trimmedDescription = description.trim();
             const keyString = getStoredKey();
-            if (!keyString) {
+            if (!isPlaintext && !keyString) {
                 throw new Error(__('Encryption key not available'));
             }
-            const key = await importKey(keyString);
+            const key = keyString ? await importKey(keyString) : null;
 
             if (mode === 'create') {
                 const ruleResult = await checkAndApplyAutomationRules();
@@ -395,19 +399,30 @@ export function EditTransactionDialog({
                     finalLabelIds = [...ruleResult.labelIds];
                 }
 
+                let finalDescription: string;
+                let finalDescriptionIv: string | null;
                 let encryptedNotes: string | null = null;
                 let notesIv: string | null = null;
 
-                if (finalNotes) {
-                    const encrypted = await encrypt(finalNotes, key);
-                    encryptedNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
-                    notesIv = encrypted.iv;
-                }
+                if (isPlaintext) {
+                    finalDescription = trimmedDescription;
+                    finalDescriptionIv = null;
+                    encryptedNotes = finalNotes || null;
+                    notesIv = null;
+                } else {
+                    const encryptedDescription = await encrypt(
+                        trimmedDescription,
+                        key!,
+                    );
+                    finalDescription = encryptedDescription.encrypted;
+                    finalDescriptionIv = encryptedDescription.iv;
 
-                const encryptedDescription = await encrypt(
-                    trimmedDescription,
-                    key,
-                );
+                    if (finalNotes) {
+                        const encrypted = await encrypt(finalNotes, key!);
+                        encryptedNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
+                        notesIv = encrypted.iv;
+                    }
+                }
 
                 const selectedAccount = accounts.find(
                     (acc) => acc.id === accountId,
@@ -420,8 +435,8 @@ export function EditTransactionDialog({
                     user_id: '00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000',
                     account_id: accountId,
                     category_id: finalCategoryId,
-                    description: encryptedDescription.encrypted,
-                    description_iv: encryptedDescription.iv,
+                    description: finalDescription,
+                    description_iv: finalDescriptionIv,
                     transaction_date: transactionDate,
                     amount: amount,
                     currency_code: selectedAccount.currency_code,
@@ -490,8 +505,11 @@ export function EditTransactionDialog({
                 let encryptedNotes: string | null = null;
                 let notesIv: string | null = null;
 
-                if (trimmedNotes) {
-                    const encrypted = await encrypt(trimmedNotes, key);
+                if (isPlaintext) {
+                    encryptedNotes = trimmedNotes || null;
+                    notesIv = null;
+                } else if (trimmedNotes) {
+                    const encrypted = await encrypt(trimmedNotes, key!);
                     encryptedNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
                     notesIv = encrypted.iv;
                 }
@@ -501,7 +519,7 @@ export function EditTransactionDialog({
                     notes: string | null;
                     notes_iv: string | null;
                     description?: string;
-                    description_iv?: string;
+                    description_iv?: string | null;
                     label_ids?: string[];
                 } = {
                     category_id: selectedCategoryId,
@@ -517,12 +535,17 @@ export function EditTransactionDialog({
                     transaction.source === 'manually_created' &&
                     trimmedDescription
                 ) {
-                    const encryptedDescription = await encrypt(
-                        trimmedDescription,
-                        key,
-                    );
-                    updateData.description = encryptedDescription.encrypted;
-                    updateData.description_iv = encryptedDescription.iv;
+                    if (isPlaintext) {
+                        updateData.description = trimmedDescription;
+                        updateData.description_iv = null;
+                    } else {
+                        const encryptedDescription = await encrypt(
+                            trimmedDescription,
+                            key!,
+                        );
+                        updateData.description = encryptedDescription.encrypted;
+                        updateData.description_iv = encryptedDescription.iv;
+                    }
                     finalDecryptedDescription = trimmedDescription;
                 }
 
diff --git a/resources/js/components/transactions/encrypted-transaction-description.tsx b/resources/js/components/transactions/encrypted-transaction-description.tsx
index 22608406..f8727f1b 100644
--- a/resources/js/components/transactions/encrypted-transaction-description.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/components/transactions/encrypted-transaction-description.tsx
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ function getFakeDescription(seed: string): string {
 
 interface EncryptedTransactionDescriptionProps {
     encryptedText: string;
-    iv: string;
+    iv: string | null;
     className?: string;
     length?: number | { min: number; max: number } | null;
 }
@@ -58,6 +58,13 @@ export function EncryptedTransactionDescription({
         [encryptedText],
     );
 
+    if (!iv) {
+        if (isPrivacyModeEnabled) {
+            return <span className={className}>{fakeDescription}</span>;
+        }
+        return <span className={className}>{encryptedText}</span>;
+    }
+
     if (isPrivacyModeEnabled && isKeySet) {
         return <span className={className}>{fakeDescription}</span>;
     }
diff --git a/resources/js/components/transactions/import-transactions-drawer.tsx b/resources/js/components/transactions/import-transactions-drawer.tsx
index 00e3e212..be6135b2 100644
--- a/resources/js/components/transactions/import-transactions-drawer.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/components/transactions/import-transactions-drawer.tsx
@@ -31,8 +31,9 @@ import {
     type ColumnMapping,
     type ImportState,
 } from '@/types/import';
+import { type SharedData } from '@/types';
 import { __ } from '@/utils/i18n';
-import { router } from '@inertiajs/react';
+import { router, usePage } from '@inertiajs/react';
 import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import { toast } from 'sonner';
 import { ImportStepAccount } from './import-step-account';
@@ -70,6 +71,8 @@ export function ImportTransactionsDrawer({
     onImportComplete,
 }: ImportTransactionsDrawerProps) {
     const { isKeySet } = useEncryptionKey();
+    const { features } = usePage<SharedData>().props;
+    const isPlaintext = features['plaintext-transactions'];
     const [isImporting, setIsImporting] = useState(false);
     const [importProgress, setImportProgress] = useState(0);
     const [importTotal, setImportTotal] = useState(0);
@@ -308,7 +311,7 @@ export function ImportTransactionsDrawer({
     };
 
     const handleConfirmImport = async () => {
-        if (!isKeySet) {
+        if (!isPlaintext && !isKeySet) {
             setError('Please unlock your encryption key first');
             return;
         }
@@ -345,10 +348,20 @@ export function ImportTransactionsDrawer({
                 batch.map(async (transaction, batchIndex) => {
                     const rowNumber = i + batchIndex + 1;
 
-                    const { encrypted, iv } =
-                        await transactionSyncService.encryptDescription(
-                            transaction.description,
-                        );
+                    let encrypted: string;
+                    let iv: string | null;
+
+                    if (isPlaintext) {
+                        encrypted = transaction.description;
+                        iv = null;
+                    } else {
+                        const result =
+                            await transactionSyncService.encryptDescription(
+                                transaction.description,
+                            );
+                        encrypted = result.encrypted;
+                        iv = result.iv;
+                    }
 
                     let categoryId: string | null = null;
                     let notes: string | null = null;
@@ -375,8 +388,20 @@ export function ImportTransactionsDrawer({
                                 categoryId = ruleMatch.categoryId;
                             }
                             if (ruleMatch.note && ruleMatch.noteIv) {
-                                notes = ruleMatch.note;
-                                notesIv = ruleMatch.noteIv;
+                                if (isPlaintext) {
+                                    const { decrypt } = await import(
+                                        '@/lib/crypto'
+                                    );
+                                    notes = await decrypt(
+                                        ruleMatch.note,
+                                        key,
+                                        ruleMatch.noteIv,
+                                    );
+                                    notesIv = null;
+                                } else {
+                                    notes = ruleMatch.note;
+                                    notesIv = ruleMatch.noteIv;
+                                }
                             }
                             if (
                                 ruleMatch.labelIds &&
diff --git a/resources/js/components/transactions/transaction-list.tsx b/resources/js/components/transactions/transaction-list.tsx
index e914368c..ff12523a 100644
--- a/resources/js/components/transactions/transaction-list.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/components/transactions/transaction-list.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import { useLocale } from '@/hooks/use-locale';
+import { type SharedData } from '@/types';
 import { __ } from '@/utils/i18n';
+import { usePage } from '@inertiajs/react';
 import {
     Cell,
     ColumnFiltersState,
@@ -247,6 +249,8 @@ export function TransactionList({
 }: TransactionListProps) {
     const { isKeySet } = useEncryptionKey();
     const locale = useLocale();
+    const { features } = usePage<SharedData>().props;
+    const isPlaintext = features['plaintext-transactions'];
 
     const labels = initialLabels;
 
@@ -342,7 +346,12 @@ export function TransactionList({
                                 let decryptedDescription = '';
                                 let decryptedNotes: string | null = null;
 
-                                if (key) {
+                                if (!transaction.description_iv) {
+                                    decryptedDescription =
+                                        transaction.description;
+                                    decryptedNotes =
+                                        transaction.notes || null;
+                                } else if (key) {
                                     try {
                                         decryptedDescription = await decrypt(
                                             transaction.description,
@@ -458,7 +467,10 @@ export function TransactionList({
                             let decryptedDescription = '';
                             let decryptedNotes: string | null = null;
 
-                            if (key) {
+                            if (!transaction.description_iv) {
+                                decryptedDescription = transaction.description;
+                                decryptedNotes = transaction.notes || null;
+                            } else if (key) {
                                 try {
                                     decryptedDescription = await decrypt(
                                         transaction.description,
@@ -581,7 +593,10 @@ export function TransactionList({
                         let decryptedDescription = '';
                         let decryptedNotes: string | null = null;
 
-                        if (key) {
+                        if (!transaction.description_iv) {
+                            decryptedDescription = transaction.description;
+                            decryptedNotes = transaction.notes || null;
+                        } else if (key) {
                             try {
                                 decryptedDescription = await decrypt(
                                     transaction.description,
@@ -668,18 +683,23 @@ export function TransactionList({
                         let decryptedNotes: string | null = null;
 
                         try {
-                            decryptedDescription = await decrypt(
-                                tx.description,
-                                key,
-                                tx.description_iv,
-                            );
-
-                            if (tx.notes && tx.notes_iv) {
-                                decryptedNotes = await decrypt(
-                                    tx.notes,
+                            if (!tx.description_iv) {
+                                decryptedDescription = tx.description;
+                                decryptedNotes = tx.notes || null;
+                            } else {
+                                decryptedDescription = await decrypt(
+                                    tx.description,
                                     key,
-                                    tx.notes_iv,
+                                    tx.description_iv,
                                 );
+
+                                if (tx.notes && tx.notes_iv) {
+                                    decryptedNotes = await decrypt(
+                                        tx.notes,
+                                        key,
+                                        tx.notes_iv,
+                                    );
+                                }
                             }
                         } catch {
                             continue;
@@ -883,9 +903,17 @@ export function TransactionList({
                         );
 
                         if (combinedNote !== transaction.decryptedNotes) {
-                            const encrypted = await encrypt(combinedNote, key);
-                            finalNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
-                            finalNotesIv = encrypted.iv;
+                            if (isPlaintext) {
+                                finalNotes = combinedNote;
+                                finalNotesIv = null;
+                            } else {
+                                const encrypted = await encrypt(
+                                    combinedNote,
+                                    key,
+                                );
+                                finalNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
+                                finalNotesIv = encrypted.iv;
+                            }
                             consoleDebug('Combined notes with rule note');
                         } else {
                             consoleDebug('Rule note already present, skipping');
@@ -911,7 +939,9 @@ export function TransactionList({
                         : null;
 
                     let decryptedNotes = transaction.decryptedNotes;
-                    if (finalNotes && finalNotesIv) {
+                    if (finalNotes && !finalNotesIv) {
+                        decryptedNotes = finalNotes;
+                    } else if (finalNotes && finalNotesIv) {
                         decryptedNotes = await decrypt(
                             finalNotes,
                             key,
@@ -1039,9 +1069,17 @@ export function TransactionList({
                         );
 
                         if (combinedNote !== transaction.decryptedNotes) {
-                            const encrypted = await encrypt(combinedNote, key);
-                            finalNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
-                            finalNotesIv = encrypted.iv;
+                            if (isPlaintext) {
+                                finalNotes = combinedNote;
+                                finalNotesIv = null;
+                            } else {
+                                const encrypted = await encrypt(
+                                    combinedNote,
+                                    key,
+                                );
+                                finalNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
+                                finalNotesIv = encrypted.iv;
+                            }
                             consoleDebug('Combined notes with rule note');
                         } else {
                             consoleDebug('Rule note already present, skipping');
@@ -1067,7 +1105,9 @@ export function TransactionList({
                         : null;
 
                     let decryptedNotes = transaction.decryptedNotes;
-                    if (finalNotes && finalNotesIv) {
+                    if (finalNotes && !finalNotesIv) {
+                        decryptedNotes = finalNotes;
+                    } else if (finalNotes && finalNotesIv) {
                         decryptedNotes = await decrypt(
                             finalNotes,
                             key,
diff --git a/resources/js/hooks/use-re-evaluate-all-transactions.tsx b/resources/js/hooks/use-re-evaluate-all-transactions.tsx
index 0cd4df40..eae3c76e 100644
--- a/resources/js/hooks/use-re-evaluate-all-transactions.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/hooks/use-re-evaluate-all-transactions.tsx
@@ -3,10 +3,12 @@ import { getStoredKey } from '@/lib/key-storage';
 import { evaluateRules } from '@/lib/rule-engine';
 import { appendNoteIfNotPresent } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { transactionSyncService } from '@/services/transaction-sync';
+import type { SharedData } from '@/types';
 import type { Account, Bank } from '@/types/account';
 import type { AutomationRule } from '@/types/automation-rule';
 import type { Category } from '@/types/category';
 import type { DecryptedTransaction } from '@/types/transaction';
+import { usePage } from '@inertiajs/react';
 import { useCallback } from 'react';
 import { toast } from 'sonner';
 
@@ -20,6 +22,9 @@ interface ReEvaluateAllOptions {
 }
 
 export function useReEvaluateAllTransactions() {
+    const { features } = usePage<SharedData>().props;
+    const isPlaintext = features['plaintext-transactions'];
+
     const reEvaluateAll = useCallback(
         async (
             transactions: DecryptedTransaction[],
@@ -90,12 +95,17 @@ export function useReEvaluateAllTransactions() {
                             );
 
                             if (combinedNote !== transaction.decryptedNotes) {
-                                const encrypted = await encrypt(
-                                    combinedNote,
-                                    key,
-                                );
-                                finalNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
-                                finalNotesIv = encrypted.iv;
+                                if (isPlaintext) {
+                                    finalNotes = combinedNote;
+                                    finalNotesIv = null;
+                                } else {
+                                    const encrypted = await encrypt(
+                                        combinedNote,
+                                        key,
+                                    );
+                                    finalNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
+                                    finalNotesIv = encrypted.iv;
+                                }
                             }
                         }
 
diff --git a/resources/js/pages/transactions/categorize.tsx b/resources/js/pages/transactions/categorize.tsx
index ddadf9c4..82701dea 100644
--- a/resources/js/pages/transactions/categorize.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/pages/transactions/categorize.tsx
@@ -195,7 +195,10 @@ export default function CategorizeTransactions({
                             let decryptedDescription = '';
                             let decryptedNotes: string | null = null;
 
-                            if (key) {
+                            if (!transaction.description_iv) {
+                                decryptedDescription = transaction.description;
+                                decryptedNotes = transaction.notes || null;
+                            } else if (key) {
                                 try {
                                     decryptedDescription = await decrypt(
                                         transaction.description,
diff --git a/resources/js/pages/transactions/index.tsx b/resources/js/pages/transactions/index.tsx
index 0a234da8..fb5756d1 100644
--- a/resources/js/pages/transactions/index.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/pages/transactions/index.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { useLocale } from '@/hooks/use-locale';
 import { __ } from '@/utils/i18n';
-import { Head, router } from '@inertiajs/react';
+import { Head, router, usePage } from '@inertiajs/react';
 import {
     Cell,
     ColumnFiltersState,
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ import { getStoredKey } from '@/lib/key-storage';
 import { evaluateRules } from '@/lib/rule-engine';
 import { appendNoteIfNotPresent, cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { transactionSyncService } from '@/services/transaction-sync';
-import { type BreadcrumbItem } from '@/types';
+import { type BreadcrumbItem, type SharedData } from '@/types';
 import { type Account, type Bank } from '@/types/account';
 import { type AutomationRule } from '@/types/automation-rule';
 import { type Category } from '@/types/category';
@@ -367,6 +367,8 @@ export default function Transactions({
     const { isKeySet } = useEncryptionKey();
     const { sync } = useSyncContext();
     const locale = useLocale();
+    const { features } = usePage<SharedData>().props;
+    const isPlaintext = features['plaintext-transactions'];
 
     const [transactions, setTransactions] = useState<DecryptedTransaction[]>(
         [],
@@ -487,7 +489,10 @@ export default function Transactions({
                             let decryptedDescription = '';
                             let decryptedNotes: string | null = null;
 
-                            if (key) {
+                            if (!transaction.description_iv) {
+                                decryptedDescription = transaction.description;
+                                decryptedNotes = transaction.notes || null;
+                            } else if (key) {
                                 try {
                                     decryptedDescription = await decrypt(
                                         transaction.description,
@@ -636,7 +641,10 @@ export default function Transactions({
                         let decryptedDescription = '';
                         let decryptedNotes: string | null = null;
 
-                        if (key) {
+                        if (!transaction.description_iv) {
+                            decryptedDescription = transaction.description;
+                            decryptedNotes = transaction.notes || null;
+                        } else if (key) {
                             try {
                                 decryptedDescription = await decrypt(
                                     transaction.description,
@@ -716,18 +724,23 @@ export default function Transactions({
                         let decryptedNotes: string | null = null;
 
                         try {
-                            decryptedDescription = await decrypt(
-                                tx.description,
-                                key,
-                                tx.description_iv,
-                            );
-
-                            if (tx.notes && tx.notes_iv) {
-                                decryptedNotes = await decrypt(
-                                    tx.notes,
+                            if (!tx.description_iv) {
+                                decryptedDescription = tx.description;
+                                decryptedNotes = tx.notes || null;
+                            } else {
+                                decryptedDescription = await decrypt(
+                                    tx.description,
                                     key,
-                                    tx.notes_iv,
+                                    tx.description_iv,
                                 );
+
+                                if (tx.notes && tx.notes_iv) {
+                                    decryptedNotes = await decrypt(
+                                        tx.notes,
+                                        key,
+                                        tx.notes_iv,
+                                    );
+                                }
                             }
                         } catch {
                             continue;
@@ -940,9 +953,17 @@ export default function Transactions({
                         );
 
                         if (combinedNote !== transaction.decryptedNotes) {
-                            const encrypted = await encrypt(combinedNote, key);
-                            finalNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
-                            finalNotesIv = encrypted.iv;
+                            if (isPlaintext) {
+                                finalNotes = combinedNote;
+                                finalNotesIv = null;
+                            } else {
+                                const encrypted = await encrypt(
+                                    combinedNote,
+                                    key,
+                                );
+                                finalNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
+                                finalNotesIv = encrypted.iv;
+                            }
                             consoleDebug('Combined notes with rule note');
                         } else {
                             consoleDebug('Rule note already present, skipping');
@@ -968,7 +989,9 @@ export default function Transactions({
                         : null;
 
                     let decryptedNotes = transaction.decryptedNotes;
-                    if (finalNotes && finalNotesIv) {
+                    if (finalNotes && !finalNotesIv) {
+                        decryptedNotes = finalNotes;
+                    } else if (finalNotes && finalNotesIv) {
                         decryptedNotes = await decrypt(
                             finalNotes,
                             key,
@@ -1113,9 +1136,17 @@ export default function Transactions({
                         );
 
                         if (combinedNote !== transaction.decryptedNotes) {
-                            const encrypted = await encrypt(combinedNote, key);
-                            finalNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
-                            finalNotesIv = encrypted.iv;
+                            if (isPlaintext) {
+                                finalNotes = combinedNote;
+                                finalNotesIv = null;
+                            } else {
+                                const encrypted = await encrypt(
+                                    combinedNote,
+                                    key,
+                                );
+                                finalNotes = encrypted.encrypted;
+                                finalNotesIv = encrypted.iv;
+                            }
                             consoleDebug('Combined notes with rule note');
                         } else {
                             consoleDebug('Rule note already present, skipping');
@@ -1141,7 +1172,9 @@ export default function Transactions({
                         : null;
 
                     let decryptedNotes = transaction.decryptedNotes;
-                    if (finalNotes && finalNotesIv) {
+                    if (finalNotes && !finalNotesIv) {
+                        decryptedNotes = finalNotes;
+                    } else if (finalNotes && finalNotesIv) {
                         decryptedNotes = await decrypt(
                             finalNotes,
                             key,
diff --git a/resources/js/services/transaction-sync.ts b/resources/js/services/transaction-sync.ts
index bfc5fb30..e16a4f00 100644
--- a/resources/js/services/transaction-sync.ts
+++ b/resources/js/services/transaction-sync.ts
@@ -225,11 +225,13 @@ class TransactionSyncService {
             const decryptedTransactions = await Promise.all(
                 transactionsInRange.map(async (t) => {
                     try {
-                        const decryptedDescription = await decrypt(
-                            t.description,
-                            key,
-                            t.description_iv,
-                        );
+                        const decryptedDescription = t.description_iv
+                            ? await decrypt(
+                                  t.description,
+                                  key,
+                                  t.description_iv,
+                              )
+                            : t.description;
                         return {
                             transaction_date: normalizeDate(t.transaction_date),
                             amount: parseFloat(t.amount),
diff --git a/resources/js/types/index.d.ts b/resources/js/types/index.d.ts
index 0998754f..e5154f19 100644
--- a/resources/js/types/index.d.ts
+++ b/resources/js/types/index.d.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ export interface NavDivider {
 export interface Features {
     cashflow: boolean;
     budgets: boolean;
+    'plaintext-transactions': boolean;
 }
 
 export interface SharedData {
diff --git a/resources/js/types/transaction.ts b/resources/js/types/transaction.ts
index 933ab9b3..fb0649a8 100644
--- a/resources/js/types/transaction.ts
+++ b/resources/js/types/transaction.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ export interface Transaction {
     account_id: UUID;
     category_id: UUID | null;
     description: string;
-    description_iv: string;
+    description_iv: string | null;
     transaction_date: string;
     amount: number;
     currency_code: string;
diff --git a/tests/Feature/PlaintextTransactionsTest.php b/tests/Feature/PlaintextTransactionsTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..50ea68a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/Feature/PlaintextTransactionsTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+<?php
+
+use App\Models\Account;
+use App\Models\Transaction;
+use App\Models\User;
+use Laravel\Pennant\Feature;
+
+use function Pest\Laravel\actingAs;
+
+test('plaintext-transactions feature flag defaults to false', function () {
+    $user = User::factory()->onboarded()->create();
+
+    expect(Feature::for($user)->active('plaintext-transactions'))->toBeFalse();
+});
+
+test('creating transaction without description_iv fails when flag is inactive', function () {
+    $user = User::factory()->onboarded()->create();
+    $account = Account::factory()->create(['user_id' => $user->id]);
+
+    $response = actingAs($user)->postJson(route('transactions.store'), [
+        'account_id' => $account->id,
+        'description' => 'Grocery shopping',
+        'transaction_date' => '2025-11-11',
+        'amount' => 5000,
+        'currency_code' => 'USD',
+        'source' => 'manually_created',
+    ]);
+
+    $response->assertUnprocessable();
+    $response->assertJsonValidationErrors(['description_iv']);
+});
+
+test('creating plaintext transaction succeeds when flag is active', function () {
+    $user = User::factory()->onboarded()->create();
+    Feature::for($user)->activate('plaintext-transactions');
+    $account = Account::factory()->create(['user_id' => $user->id]);
+
+    $response = actingAs($user)->postJson(route('transactions.store'), [
+        'account_id' => $account->id,
+        'description' => 'Grocery shopping',
+        'transaction_date' => '2025-11-11',
+        'amount' => 5000,
+        'currency_code' => 'USD',
+        'source' => 'manually_created',
+    ]);
+
+    $response->assertCreated();
+    $this->assertDatabaseHas('transactions', [
+        'user_id' => $user->id,
+        'description' => 'Grocery shopping',
+        'description_iv' => null,
+    ]);
+});
+
+test('creating plaintext transaction with notes succeeds when flag is active', function () {
+    $user = User::factory()->onboarded()->create();
+    Feature::for($user)->activate('plaintext-transactions');
+    $account = Account::factory()->create(['user_id' => $user->id]);
+
+    $response = actingAs($user)->postJson(route('transactions.store'), [
+        'account_id' => $account->id,
+        'description' => 'Coffee',
+        'transaction_date' => '2025-11-11',
+        'amount' => 350,
+        'currency_code' => 'USD',
+        'notes' => 'Morning coffee at the cafe',
+        'source' => 'manually_created',
+    ]);
+
+    $response->assertCreated();
+    $this->assertDatabaseHas('transactions', [
+        'user_id' => $user->id,
+        'description' => 'Coffee',
+        'description_iv' => null,
+        'notes' => 'Morning coffee at the cafe',
+        'notes_iv' => null,
+    ]);
+});
+
+test('encrypted transactions still work when flag is active', function () {
+    $user = User::factory()->onboarded()->create();
+    Feature::for($user)->activate('plaintext-transactions');
+    $account = Account::factory()->create(['user_id' => $user->id]);
+
+    $response = actingAs($user)->postJson(route('transactions.store'), [
+        'account_id' => $account->id,
+        'description' => 'encrypted_content',
+        'description_iv' => str_repeat('d', 16),
+        'transaction_date' => '2025-11-11',
+        'amount' => 1000,
+        'currency_code' => 'USD',
+        'source' => 'manually_created',
+    ]);
+
+    $response->assertCreated();
+    $this->assertDatabaseHas('transactions', [
+        'user_id' => $user->id,
+        'description' => 'encrypted_content',
+        'description_iv' => str_repeat('d', 16),
+    ]);
+});
+
+test('encrypted and plaintext transactions can coexist', function () {
+    $user = User::factory()->onboarded()->create();
+    $account = Account::factory()->create(['user_id' => $user->id]);
+
+    // Create an encrypted transaction (before flag was activated)
+    Transaction::factory()->create([
+        'user_id' => $user->id,
+        'account_id' => $account->id,
+        'description' => 'encrypted_content',
+        'description_iv' => str_repeat('e', 16),
+    ]);
+
+    // Activate the flag and create a plaintext transaction
+    Feature::for($user)->activate('plaintext-transactions');
+
+    Transaction::factory()->plaintext()->create([
+        'user_id' => $user->id,
+        'account_id' => $account->id,
+        'description' => 'Plaintext transaction',
+    ]);
+
+    expect(Transaction::where('user_id', $user->id)->count())->toBe(2);
+    expect(Transaction::where('user_id', $user->id)->whereNull('description_iv')->count())->toBe(1);
+    expect(Transaction::where('user_id', $user->id)->whereNotNull('description_iv')->count())->toBe(1);
+});
+
+test('updating transaction without description_iv works when flag is active', function () {
+    $user = User::factory()->onboarded()->create();
+    Feature::for($user)->activate('plaintext-transactions');
+    $account = Account::factory()->create(['user_id' => $user->id]);
+
+    $transaction = Transaction::factory()->create([
+        'user_id' => $user->id,
+        'account_id' => $account->id,
+    ]);
+
+    $response = actingAs($user)->patchJson(route('transactions.update', $transaction), [
+        'description' => 'Updated plaintext',
+        'description_iv' => null,
+        'notes' => 'Updated notes',
+        'notes_iv' => null,
+    ]);
+
+    $response->assertSuccessful();
+    $this->assertDatabaseHas('transactions', [
+        'id' => $transaction->id,
+        'description' => 'Updated plaintext',
+        'description_iv' => null,
+        'notes' => 'Updated notes',
+        'notes_iv' => null,
+    ]);
+});
+
+test('plaintext-transactions feature flag is shared with frontend', function () {
+    $user = User::factory()->onboarded()->create();
+    Feature::for($user)->activate('plaintext-transactions');
+
+    $response = actingAs($user)->get(route('transactions.index'));
+
+    $response->assertSuccessful();
+    $response->assertInertia(fn ($page) => $page
+        ->where('features.plaintext-transactions', true)
+    );
+});
+
+test('plaintext-transactions feature flag defaults to false in frontend', function () {
+    $user = User::factory()->onboarded()->create();
+
+    $response = actingAs($user)->get(route('transactions.index'));
+
+    $response->assertSuccessful();
+    $response->assertInertia(fn ($page) => $page
+        ->where('features.plaintext-transactions', false)
+    );
+});