Apple Notes vs Simplenote: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Apple Notes and Simplenote side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Best for you if:
- • You want free with Apple devices
Simplenote
The simplest way to keep notes, synced across all your devices.
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free to use, including apps, backups, and syncing
| At a Glance | Apple Notes | Simplenote |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $0.99/mo, billed monthly iCloud+ 50GB plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Productivity Note-Taking | Note-Taking Productivity |
Rating | 4.1/5 SourceForge 4.1 14 reviews | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 · Capterra 4.3 54 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | iCloud storage needed for large attachments | There is no Simplenote subscription. Do not confuse it with WordPress.com or Notion prices. |
Choose Apple Notes or Simplenote?
Choose Apple Notes if
- You want free with Apple devices
- You want good for quick notes
- You work in productivity, not note-taking
Choose Simplenote if
- You want completely free to use, including apps, backups, and syncing
- You want available on a wide range of platforms (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Web)
- You work in note-taking, not productivity
In-Depth Analysis
Apple Notes
Free note-taking for Apple users
Apple Notes itself is entirely free and incredibly generous, offering full functionality without any locked features.
Watch out
iCloud storage needed for large attachments
Strengths
- Pro: Free with Apple devices
- Pro: Good for quick notes
- Pro: Decent scanning
- Pro: Collaboration works
- Pro: Fast sync
Weaknesses
- Con: Apple only
- Con: Limited organization
- Con: No Markdown
- Con: Basic formatting
- Con: Export options limited
Key features
Simplenote
The simplest way to keep notes, synced across all your devices.
Simplenote is free.
Watch out
There is no Simplenote subscription. Do not confuse it with WordPress.com or Notion prices.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free to use, including apps, backups, and syncing
- Pro: Available on a wide range of platforms (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Web)
- Pro: Simple and intuitive interface, promoting a distraction-free experience
- Pro: Instant synchronization ensures notes are always up-to-date everywhere
- Pro: Robust version history allows recovery of past note states
Weaknesses
- Con: Lacks advanced formatting options beyond Markdown
- Con: May be too simplistic for users requiring rich text editing or complex organization features
- Con: No explicit mention of offline access capabilities, though implied by local apps
Key features
Plans and prices: Apple Notes vs Simplenote
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Notes |
| apple.com/notes read Oct 7, 2026 |
| Simplenote |
| simplenote.com read Sep 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Apple Notes pricing and Simplenote pricing.
Key Takeaways
Apple Notes
- Choose if you want free note-taking for Apple users
Simplenote
- Choose if you want the simplest way to keep notes, synced across all your devices
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.1/5 from 14 reviews for Apple Notes, 4.2/5 from 54 reviews for Simplenote; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Apple Notes starts at $0.99/mo, billed monthly; Simplenote has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Apple Notes and Simplenote compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.1/5 from 14 reviews for Apple Notes, 4.2/5 from 54 reviews for Simplenote; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Apple Notes starts at $0.99/mo, billed monthly; Simplenote has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Apple Notes and Simplenote used for?
Apple Notes: Free note-taking for Apple users. Simplenote: The simplest way to keep notes, synced across all your devices.
What does Apple Notes cost vs Simplenote?
Apple Notes's cheapest paid plan is iCloud+ 50GB at $0.99/mo, billed monthly. Simplenote is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 7, 2026.
What's the main difference between Apple Notes and Simplenote?
Apple Notes's main strength: free with Apple devices. Simplenote's main strength: completely free to use, including apps, backups, and syncing.