Microsoft OneNote 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 Microsoft OneNote and Simplenote side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Simplenote 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:
Microsoft OneNote
Digital notebook for organizing everything
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free
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 | Simplenote | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $6.99/mo, billed monthly With Microsoft 365 plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Note-Taking Productivity | Note-Taking Productivity |
Rating | 4.0/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.5 · Trustpilot 1.8 3,864 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 Microsoft OneNote or Simplenote?
Choose Microsoft OneNote if
- You want completely free
- You want great handwriting/tablet support
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)
In-Depth Analysis
Microsoft OneNote
Digital notebook for organizing everything
OneNote's pricing is exceptionally generous, as the core product is entirely free with unlimited notebooks and cross-platform sync.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free
- Pro: Great handwriting/tablet support
- Pro: Deep Microsoft integration
- Pro: Unlimited storage (with M365)
- Pro: Good for visual thinkers
Weaknesses
- Con: Can feel cluttered
- Con: Sync issues occasionally
- Con: Less structured than Notion
- Con: Microsoft account required
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: Microsoft OneNote vs Simplenote
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft OneNote |
| onenote.com read Sep 29, 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 Microsoft OneNote pricing and Simplenote pricing.
Key Takeaways
Microsoft OneNote
- Choose if you want digital notebook for organizing everything
Simplenote
- Higher user rating: 4.2/5 vs 4.0/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Simplenote leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Simplenote has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 3,864 reviews for Microsoft OneNote, 4.2/5 from 54 reviews for Simplenote).
- Microsoft OneNote starts at $6.99/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
What Users Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Microsoft OneNote and Simplenote compare in 2026?
On the data below, Simplenote leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Simplenote has the higher user rating (4.0/5 from 3,864 reviews for Microsoft OneNote, 4.2/5 from 54 reviews for Simplenote). Microsoft OneNote starts at $6.99/mo, billed monthly; Simplenote has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Microsoft OneNote and Simplenote used for?
Microsoft OneNote: Digital notebook for organizing everything. Simplenote: The simplest way to keep notes, synced across all your devices.
What does Microsoft OneNote cost vs Simplenote?
Microsoft OneNote's cheapest paid plan is With Microsoft 365 at $6.99/mo, billed monthly. Simplenote is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between Microsoft OneNote and Simplenote?
Microsoft OneNote's main strength: completely free. Simplenote's main strength: completely free to use, including apps, backups, and syncing.