Simplenote
A free, plain-text notes app from Automattic that syncs across every platform.
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Simplenote
Simplenote is a deliberately minimal notes app made by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com. You get a list of plain-text notes, tags, search, pinning, a Markdown preview, version history and the option to publish a note as a web page or share it with collaborators. There are no folders, images or attachments, which is the point: the apps open instantly and stay out of the way. Everything is free, including the apps, sync and backups, and there is no paid tier. It runs on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux, plus a web app, and notes stay usable offline. The trade-off is that it has not grown much in years, so it lacks features many people now expect, such as rich text, attachments, backlinks or end-to-end encryption. It suits anyone who wants fast, free text notes on every device and is happy to keep things simple.
Best for: People who want fast, free plain-text notes on every device.
Pros and cons
What works
- Completely free, with no paid tier or ads
- Apps for every major platform plus the web
- Fast and distraction-free
- Markdown preview and version history
Why people leave
- No images, attachments or rich text
- No folders or backlinks, only tags
- Slow pace of new features
- No end-to-end encryption
Top Simplenote alternatives
See all 6- 1
Joplin67.4Open-source Markdown notes with notebooks and your choice of sync service.
- 2
Standard Notes66.5Same minimal spirit but with end-to-end encryption of every note.
- 3
Notesnook62.6Free, encrypted notes with rich text and attachments that Simplenote lacks.
- 4
Bear58.3A nicer Markdown writing experience for Apple users, with tags and attachments.
- 5
Google Keep55.3Free quick notes and lists with reminders, photos and voice notes.
Why people left Simplenote
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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Simplenote: common questions
Is Simplenote free?
Yes, Simplenote is free to use.
Is Simplenote open source?
No, Simplenote is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Joplin, Standard Notes and Notesnook.
What platforms does Simplenote run on?
Simplenote is available for Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Simplenote?
The highest-ranked Simplenote alternatives right now are Joplin, Standard Notes and Notesnook. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.