Evernote vs Simplenote: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Evernote and Simplenote comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Evernote wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan. Pick Simplenote if you need a fully free option.
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:
Evernote
The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years
Best for you if:
- • You want excellent web clipper for saving articles
Simplenote
The simplest way to keep notes, synced across all your devices.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Evernote requires payment)
| At a Glance | Evernote | Simplenote |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Note-Taking Productivity | Note-Taking Productivity |
Rating | 4.4/5 Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.4 10,296 reviews | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 · Capterra 4.3 54 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | There is no Simplenote subscription. Do not confuse it with WordPress.com or Notion prices. |
Choose Evernote or Simplenote?
Choose Evernote if
- You want excellent web clipper for saving articles
- You want strong search including handwritten notes
Choose Simplenote if
- You want a fully free tool (Evernote requires payment)
- 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)
In-Depth Analysis
Evernote
The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years
Evernote's pricing is expensive, especially the Starter tier at $14.99/month for very limited features.
Strengths
- Pro: Excellent web clipper for saving articles
- Pro: Strong search including handwritten notes
- Pro: Cross-platform sync
- Pro: Mature and stable platform
- Pro: Good document scanning
Weaknesses
- Con: Free plan severely limited (2 devices only)
- Con: Expensive premium plans
- Con: Development has stagnated
- Con: Performance issues with large notebooks
- Con: Lost market share to Notion and others
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
Pricing: Evernote vs Simplenote
| Plan | Evernote | Simplenote |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Free | Free Simplenote |
| Tier 2 | $14.99 Starter | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $19.99 Advanced | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Evernote pricing and Simplenote pricing.
Key Takeaways
Evernote
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.2/5
- Larger review base (10,296 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Simplenote
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Evernote wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan. That said, Simplenote is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Evernote or Simplenote better in 2026?
Evernote wins this matchup. Granola ranks #1 on our Note-Taking list. Granola is the highest-listed Note-Taking tool with a free plan. Pick Evernote for note-taking workflows (main strength: excellent web clipper for saving articles). Pick Simplenote for note-taking workflows (main strength: completely free to use, including apps, backups, and syncing).
What are Evernote and Simplenote used for?
Evernote: The original note-taking app, still kicking after all these years. Simplenote: The simplest way to keep notes, synced across all your devices.
What does Evernote cost vs Simplenote?
Evernote's paid plans start at Free (Starter). Simplenote is free.
What's the main difference between Evernote and Simplenote?
Evernote's main strength: excellent web clipper for saving articles. Simplenote's main strength: completely free to use, including apps, backups, and syncing.