Simplenote Review

Best Features, Pros, Cons & User Reviews

Let's explore whether it is a good match for your needs and whether it's your next note-taking app:

What is Simplenote?

Simplenote is a note-taking app designed for basic use. It can be used to create notes, make basic checklists and collaborate on to-do lists/notes together. It is owned and managed by the owners of WordPress, Automattic. It comes on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows & Linux. It is one of the easiest, most free note-taking apps on the market.

What does Simplenote do?

Think of Simplenote as the most basic note-taking app with no frills and spills. It handles your notes, allows you to add tags, allows you to share with others and that's it. It won't do the vast things that you see in apps like Evernote or Capacities, but it it free to use, basic in nature & comes with a solid reliable app, with a good rating.

It comes with unlimited note storage, easy to use notes and the most basic feel, but here's what Simplenote can do:

• A simple and easy to use design for basic use.

• Syncs between devices for easy note-taking on the go or desktop.

• Supports markdown note-taking allowing you to use the language to type away.

• It allows you to collaborate with others who have Simplenote to share notes & lists together.

• It has basic tags for notes to help organize them a little.

Simplenote offers essential note-taking, with checklists, publish abilities, tagging of notes, sharing of internal links, and even collaboration for notes - for both editing and viewing. This isn't too bad for the overall experience available on a range of devices, including all desktop options (macOS, Windows, Linux) and all mobile access (iOS and Android).

Pros

From our tests, this is what we liked about Simplenote:

• Great Speed & Reliability - It works fast and well across all the devices, we didn't find a hiccup with the app. Owned and developed by a larger team can help a lot.

• No Frills Mentality - This app doesn't go wild with animations, neither does it with features. They have made a solid free alternative to Apple Notes or Google Keep that just works.

• Good Sharing Abilities - If you want something dead simple, free and a place to share notes & a micro to-do list with your partner or friend, try this.

Cons

These are the things we didn't gel as well with:

• Less Attractive - The design feels a little less attractive than free options like Google Keep or Apple Notes, if you were to choose between them.

It's very hard to judge Simplenote for cons. The app doesn't do anything overtly wrong, neither can you comment sometimes about it if they aren't charging you at all for it.

Verdict

Is Simplenote any good?

You cannot get annoyed at Simplenote in almost every way. It's free and does a good job.

Simplenote is free and offers good basic note-taking abilities, a range of device support, a markdown for those who want it, and some advanced features thrown in for collaboration between notes. If you're on the hunt for a simple notes app with basic abilities but doesn't charge you and does a few notable things, then Simplenote isn't a bad option at all. You won't find graph views, power features, or punches in Simplenote, but you can't really get angry about that with such a well-explained app name. Simple note. Simplenote is a hidden yet handy gem for basic note-takers out there.

If you had to wave issue at it is that compared to Apple Notes, it does lack features and design. Choosing Simplenote above another note-taking is a clear statement that you don't need those features like tables, full task management and bi-directional linking, it's an agreement to yourself that those features don't matter to you.

Who would we recommend Simplenote for?

• Best for those who want basic note-taking.

• Those who are happy with note, basic formatting & super simple features.

• Nothing flashy, something that works cross-platform and totally free to use.

How much does Simplenote cost?

Simplenote is totally free with no limits or subscription plans.

• Simplenote is free to use with no costs.

• There is no paid subscription planned by Simplenote or the team.

• There are no limits to how many notes you can create as part of your account.

What can I download Simplenote on?

Simplenote is a fully cross-platform note-taking app available on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac & Linux.

• iOS, Android

• Web, Mac & Windows, Linux

Is Simplenote free?

Simplenote is free and has no paid subscriptions.

• You can use Simplenote for free with no limits.

• The software is supported by a large company called Automattic.

Who is Simplenote best suited for?

Simplenote is used for basic note-taking for taking light, text based notes.

Best Simplenote Alternatives

Let's explore some of the notable Simplenote alternatives and competitors out there:

• Apple Notes is a good alternative to Simplenote for iPhone users who want a basic note-taking app.

• Bear Notes is iOS and macOS note-taking app with markdown and brilliantly designed features, this is a slight upgrade.

• Upnote is another notable alternative to Simplenote and comes with more abilities and an optional premium.

FAQ

Here's some common questions:

Is Simplenote encrypted?

• Simplenote does not offer encryption.

• Due to their set-up, they cannot offer encryption at rest.

Simplenote vs Upnote?

• To keep things simple.

• Simplenote is better than Upnote if you want something free and basic.

• Upnote offers more notebook abilities, note formatting & much more in premium.

• Upnote is better for more advanced note-taking and Simplenote offers the best value overall.

Apple Notes vs Simplenote?

• Apple Notes is overall better than Simplenote for value.

• You might to want to consider Simplenote if you are on Android, Web & Windows.

• Apple Notes does not have Windows, Web & Android access making it less cross-platform.

Is Simplenote open source?

• Simplenote is open source on client side - meaning the apps side (iOS, Linux, Android etc).

• The backend is not open sourced as it is cloud-based and managed by Automattic.