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Alternatives · Note-Taking

Minimal alternatives

Minimal compared with 5 alternatives: Bear, iA Writer, Simplenote, Craft and Apple Notes.

Minimal is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per year. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
MinimalThis toolFree trial · from $4.99/moTrial onlymacOS, iOS
BearFree plan · from $2.99/moYesmacOS, iOS, Browser extension
iA WriterFree trial · from $19.99 one-timeTrial onlymacOS, Windows, iOS
SimplenoteFreeFreeWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
CraftFree plan · from $96/yrYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Apple NotesFreeFreeWeb, macOS, iOS

How each one differs from Minimal

  1. 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. Minimal starts at $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per year.
    • Bear has a free plan. Minimal does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Bear lists a browser extension.
    • Bear also covers linked notes and web clipper.
    • Minimal also covers tasks.

    Suits: Writers who want a focused Markdown editor on Mac, iPhone and iPad

    Bear vs MinimalBear pricing and details

  2. iA Writer

    Minimal plain-text Markdown writing app with Focus Mode

    • iA Writer starts at $19.99 one-time (iPhone and iPad); $29.99 Windows, $49.99 Mac. Minimal starts at $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per year.
    • Only iA Writer lists a Windows app.
    • iA Writer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • iA Writer also covers grammar & style.
    • Minimal also covers notes and tasks.

    Suits: Writers who want a bare Markdown editor with no toolbars

    iA Writer vs MinimaliA Writer pricing and details

  3. Simplenote

    Free plain-text notes that sync across every major platform

    • Simplenote is free. Minimal starts at $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per year.
    • Simplenote has a free plan. Minimal does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    • Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Plain-text notes synced across phone, desktop and browser at no cost

    Simplenote vs MinimalSimplenote pricing and details

  4. Craft

    Notes and documents app with tasks, daily notes and whiteboards

    • Craft starts at $96 per year ($8 a month), or $10 billed monthly. Minimal starts at $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per year.
    • Craft has a free plan. Minimal does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Craft lists a web app.
    • Only Craft lists Windows and Android apps.
    • Only Craft lists a browser extension.

    Suits: People who want polished documents and personal notes in one app

    Craft vs MinimalCraft pricing and details

  5. Apple Notes

    Apple's free notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web

    • Apple Notes is free. Minimal starts at $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per year.
    • Apple Notes has a free plan. Minimal does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
    • Apple Notes also covers transcription and linked notes.
    • Minimal also covers Markdown and tasks.

    Suits: People who use only Apple devices

    Apple Notes vs MinimalApple Notes pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Minimal

  • It is available for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch only; there is no Windows, Android or web app.
  • After the 2-week trial it is a subscription at $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year; no one-time purchase is offered.
  • The terms say the best features are members-only but do not list what works without a subscription.
  • Notes published as websites are public by default and can be searchable on the web.
Minimal pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Minimal?

The alternatives to Minimal in this directory are Bear, iA Writer, Simplenote, Craft and Apple Notes. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Minimal.

Is there a free alternative to Minimal?

Yes. Simplenote and Apple Notes are free to use. Bear and Craft have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Minimal alternatives work on Windows?

The Minimal listing does not include a Windows app. iA Writer, Simplenote and Craft list one.

Which Minimal alternatives work on Linux?

The Minimal listing does not include a Linux app. Simplenote lists one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Minimal?

Simplenote is described as open source on its own site.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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