Alternatives · Note-Taking
FSNotes alternatives
FSNotes compared with 4 alternatives: The Archive, Obsidian, Bear and Simplenote.
FSNotes has a free plan. Paid plans start at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac. 3 of the 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
4 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSNotesThis tool | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| The Archive | Free trial · from $19.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Obsidian | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Bear | Free plan · from $2.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS, Browser extension |
| Simplenote | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from FSNotes
- Free trial · from $19.99 one-time
The Archive
Plain-text note-taking app for Mac built around Zettelkasten
- The Archive starts at $19.99 one-time purchase. FSNotes starts at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac.
- FSNotes has a free plan. The Archive does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only FSNotes lists an iOS app.
- FSNotes is open source, according to its own site.
- The Archive also covers linked notes.
Suits: Writers and researchers practicing the Zettelkasten method
- Free plan · from $4/mo
Obsidian
Markdown note-taking app that keeps your files on your device
- Obsidian starts at $4 per user / month, billed annually (Sync Standard add-on). FSNotes starts at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac.
- Only Obsidian lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Only Obsidian lists a browser extension.
- Obsidian is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- FSNotes is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want their notes as plain Markdown files they control
- Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Bear
Markdown notes app for Mac, iPhone and iPad with tags and links
- Bear starts at $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year. FSNotes starts at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac.
- Only Bear lists a browser extension.
- FSNotes is open source, according to its own site.
- FSNotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Bear also covers linked notes and web clipper.
Suits: Writers who want a focused Markdown editor on Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Free
Simplenote
Free plain-text notes that sync across every major platform
- Simplenote is free. FSNotes starts at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac.
- Only Simplenote lists a web app.
- Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
- FSNotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Simplenote also covers linked notes.
Suits: Plain-text notes synced across phone, desktop and browser at no cost
Limits worth knowing in FSNotes
- It runs on Apple platforms only, and the Mac and iPhone apps are separate purchases on the App Store.
- The iOS app syncs through iCloud Drive only; Dropbox, WebDAV and Google Drive sync are not available.
- The iPad build lacks dedicated iPad features such as full keyboard shortcuts and multiple windows; development focuses on macOS and iPhone.
- The free Mac build comes from GitHub releases or Homebrew; the site names the App Store apps as the official stable releases with automatic updates.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to FSNotes?
The alternatives to FSNotes in this directory are The Archive, Obsidian, Bear and Simplenote. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with FSNotes.
Is there a free alternative to FSNotes?
Yes. Simplenote is free to use. Obsidian and Bear have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which FSNotes alternatives work on Windows?
The FSNotes listing does not include a Windows app. Obsidian and Simplenote list one.
Which FSNotes alternatives work on Linux?
The FSNotes listing does not include a Linux app. Obsidian and Simplenote list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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