saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

note-taking app · Automattic Inc.

Simplenote

Entirely free, open-source plain-text notes with Markdown, synced on every major system and the web.

56/100

#8 of 10 note-taking apps
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Simplenote suits people who want plain, fast text notes synced free on every system. It costs nothing, works offline and keeps older versions of each note1,2. The catch: notes are encrypted in transit but not at rest, and there is no end-to-end encryption option2.

Best for: People who want simple text notes synced free everywhere.

Where the points come from

Systems25 of 25
Your data6 of 30
Features5 of 25
Price20 of 20

Systems 25 of 25 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
AppsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, WebApps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux, plus a web app1,2.18 / 18
Works offlineYesAll Simplenote apps are designed for offline use and sync after reconnecting2.7 / 7

Your data 6 of 30 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Notes as plain filesNot publishedNotes are stored on Simplenote's servers and synced to devices2.0 / 10
Export everything to Markdown or HTMLNot publishedDesktop export downloads a zip of all notes; the file format is not stated2.0 / 6
End-to-end encryptionNoNotes are encrypted in transit; Simplenote says they are not encrypted at rest2.0 / 8
Open sourceYesThe desktop and Android apps are public on GitHub under GPL-2.03,4.6 / 6

Features 5 of 25 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Web clipperNot published0 / 5
Linked notesNot publishedInternal links connect notes; a view of notes linking back is not published2.0 / 5
Real-time collaborationYesShared notes can be viewed and edited by others, and changes sync in real time1,2.5 / 5
Tables and databasesNot published0 / 5
Handwriting and drawingNot published0 / 5

Price 20 of 20 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free syncYesApps, backups, syncing and sharing are all free1.10 / 10
Cheapest paid plan$0Entirely free; there is no paid plan1,2.10 / 10

The rule behind each line: how we score note-taking apps.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Free1 personFree1$0Apps, backups, syncing and sharing

Strengths

  • Free on every platform, including sync, backups and sharing1.
  • Every change is backed up, so older versions can be reviewed1.
  • The apps are open source under GPL-2.03,4.
  • All apps are built to work offline2.

Limits

  • Notes are not encrypted at rest on Simplenote's servers2.
  • Notes are shared with collaborators one at a time2.
  • The web app needs a connection unless installed as a Progressive Web App2.
  • The Android app does not render HTML tags in Markdown2.

Other note-taking apps

  1. 1
    AnytypePeople who want Notion-style databases kept encrypted on their own devices
    76/100
    $4/mocheapest paid plan
  2. 2
    LogseqPeople who want linked notes as plain files they control
    72/100
    $5/mocheapest paid plan
  3. 3
    ObsidianPeople who want their notes as plain files they own
    71/100
    $4/mocheapest paid plan
  4. 4
    JoplinPeople who want free, open-source notes with encrypted sync
    67/100
    $2.67/mocheapest paid plan

All 10 note-taking apps

Sources

  1. Simplenote, Automattic. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Help, Simplenote. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. Automattic/simplenote-electron, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. Automattic/simplenote-android, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: simplenote.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Automattic Inc..