Simplenote
Claim this toolThe simplest way to keep notes, synced across all your devices.
Free, no paid tierPositions Simplenote holds among the tools of each category it belongs to (Toolradar data, Nov 2026):
Visit WebsiteThe Bottom Line
- Best for
- Writers, journalists, and minimalists who want plain-text notes, nothing more. Ideal second app for Notion or Obsidian users who need a frictionless scratchpad for quick captures that sync instantly across devices.
- Price
- Free, no paid tier. Compare plans
Key facts
- Syncs notes across all devices automatically and in real-time.
- Offers a simple, distraction-free interface for note-taking.
- Includes features like tagging, instant search, sharing, and version history.
Pros
- Completely free to use, including apps, backups, and syncing
- Available on a wide range of platforms (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Web)
- Simple and intuitive interface, promoting a distraction-free experience
- Instant synchronization ensures notes are always up-to-date everywhere
- Robust version history allows recovery of past note states
Cons
- Lacks advanced formatting options beyond Markdown
- May be too simplistic for users requiring rich text editing or complex organization features
- No explicit mention of offline access capabilities, though implied by local apps
What is Simplenote?
Available on: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, Web
Ratings Across the Web
Simplenote holds an aggregate rating of 4.2 out of 5 from 54 reviews across G2 and Capterra, last checked September 17, 2026.
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Preview
Key Features
- Automatic real-time syncing across devices
- Tagging for organization and quick searching
- Note sharing and collaboration
- Version history and backup of every change
- Markdown support for writing, previewing, and publishing
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Sep 30, 2026. Source: simplenote.com, read Sep 30, 2026
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Simplenote | $0 |
|
Is Simplenote worth the price?
Simplenote is free.
The homepage says apps, backups, syncing, and sharing are completely free. There is no Pro SKU on simplenote.com.
This is Automattic's note app, not a WordPress.com plan.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
There is no Simplenote subscription. Do not confuse it with WordPress.com or Notion prices.
Simplenote by the numbers
Toolradar data: It is listed as an alternative to 12 other tools on Toolradar, ranking #10 of 96 in Writing Apps. As of Nov 2026.
| Metric | Simplenote | Peer median | Position (1 is best) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | 69% have one | n/a |
| Listed as an alternative to | 12 tools | 1 | #10 of 96 |
| User rating | 4.2/5 (across the web, 54 ratings) | 4.5/5 | #16 of 22 (joint) tools with 20+ reviews |
| Compare-page visits, last 30 days | 84 visits | 35 | #6 of 33 (joint) tools with 20+ compare-page visits |
Visitors most often compare Simplenote with Joplin, Evernote and Google Keep (last 30 days, Nov 2026).
Listed as an alternative to: #10 on 2026-10-16 to #10 on 2026-11-02 (rank among 96 tools, 1 is best).
Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. All Writing Apps data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position. Visit counts include visits from every source.
Cite this: Toolradar, “Simplenote by the numbers”, Nov 2026.
Reviews
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Across 54 verified user reviews on G2, Capterra
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Simplenote FAQ
How does Simplenote ensure my notes are always up-to-date across multiple devices without manual syncing?
What methods are available for organizing notes within Simplenote to facilitate quick retrieval?
Can I collaborate with others on notes or share information directly from Simplenote?
What functionality does Simplenote offer for reviewing past versions or changes made to a note?
Does Simplenote support any specific formatting languages for note creation and publishing?
On which operating systems and platforms can Simplenote be installed and used?
Source: simplenote.com