Joplin 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 Joplin and Simplenote side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Joplin leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall 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:
Joplin
Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app.
Best for you if:
- • You want open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format
Simplenote
The simplest way to keep notes, synced across all your devices.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Joplin requires payment)
| At a Glance | Joplin | Simplenote |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $3.22/mo, billed monthly Basic plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Note-Taking Productivity | Note-Taking Productivity |
Rating | 4.4/5 SourceForge 4.3 · G2 4.8 · Trustpilot 3.7 73 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 Joplin or Simplenote?
Choose Joplin if
- You want open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format
- You want strong emphasis on privacy with End-To-End Encryption (E2EE)
Choose Simplenote if
- You want a fully free tool (Joplin 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
Joplin
Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app.
Joplin's pricing is fair, especially for individual users.
Strengths
- Pro: Open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format.
- Pro: Strong emphasis on privacy with End-To-End Encryption (E2EE).
- Pro: Highly customizable with plugins, themes, and API.
- Pro: Available across a wide range of platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Terminal).
- Pro: Supports multimedia content and web clipping for comprehensive note-taking.
Weaknesses
- Con: E2EE setup requires manual enabling on each device.
- Con: Initial E2EE sync can be time-consuming for large note collections.
- Con: Advanced collaboration and sharing features are tied to paid Joplin Cloud plans.
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: Joplin vs Simplenote
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Joplin |
| joplinapp.org/plans read Oct 28, 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 Joplin pricing and Simplenote pricing.
Key Takeaways
Joplin
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.2/5
Simplenote
- Choose if you want the simplest way to keep notes, synced across all your devices
What the data shows
On the data below, Joplin leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Joplin has the higher user rating (4.4/5 from 73 reviews for Joplin, 4.2/5 from 54 reviews for Simplenote).
- Joplin starts at $3.22/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 Joplin and Simplenote compare in 2026?
On the data below, Joplin leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Joplin has the higher user rating (4.4/5 from 73 reviews for Joplin, 4.2/5 from 54 reviews for Simplenote). Joplin starts at $3.22/mo, billed monthly; Simplenote has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Joplin and Simplenote used for?
Joplin: Capture your thoughts and securely access them from any device with this open-source note-taking app. Simplenote: The simplest way to keep notes, synced across all your devices.
What does Joplin cost vs Simplenote?
Joplin's cheapest paid plan is Basic at $3.22/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Simplenote is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 28, 2026.
What's the main difference between Joplin and Simplenote?
Joplin's main strength: open-source and ensures data ownership in an open format. Simplenote's main strength: completely free to use, including apps, backups, and syncing.