Alternatives · Note-Taking
Simplenote alternatives
Simplenote compared with 11 alternatives: Google Keep, Apple Notes, Standard Notes, Joplin, Bear and 6 more.
Simplenote is free to use. All 11 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
11 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| SimplenoteThis tool | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Google Keep | Free plan · from $7/mo | Yes | Web, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Apple Notes | Free | Free | Web, macOS, iOS |
| Standard Notes | Free plan · from $90/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Joplin | Free plan · from €2.40/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Bear | Free plan · from $2.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS, Browser extension |
| ColorNote | Free plan · from $1.99 | Yes | Android |
| Drafts | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| FSNotes | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Heynote | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Notesnook | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| UpNote | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
How each one differs from Simplenote
- Free plan · from $7/mo
Google Keep
Google's app for quick notes, lists and reminders
- Google Keep starts at $7 per user / month with a 1-year commitment (Workspace Business Starter). Simplenote is free.
- Only Google Keep lists a browser extension.
- Only Simplenote lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
- Google Keep also covers transcription, web clipper and tasks.
Suits: Quick notes, shopping lists and reminders on a phone or smartwatch
- Free
Apple Notes
Apple's free notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web
- Apple Notes is free. Simplenote is free.
- Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
- Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
- Apple Notes also covers transcription.
- Simplenote also covers Markdown.
Suits: People who use only Apple devices
- Free plan · from $90/yr
Standard Notes
End-to-end encrypted notes app with open source clients
- Standard Notes starts at $90 per year (Productivity). Simplenote is free.
- Only Standard Notes lists a browser extension.
- Standard Notes is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Standard Notes also covers web clipper.
- Simplenote also covers linked notes.
Suits: Private notes that the provider cannot read
- Free plan · from €2.40/mo
Joplin
Open source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose
- Joplin starts at 2.40€ per month, billed yearly at 28.69€ (Joplin Cloud Basic). Simplenote is free.
- Only Joplin lists a browser extension.
- Joplin is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Joplin also covers web clipper.
- Simplenote also covers linked notes.
Suits: People who want open source notes synced through their own storage
- 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. Simplenote is free.
- Only Bear lists a browser extension.
- Only Simplenote lists a web app.
- Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
- Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Writers who want a focused Markdown editor on Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Free plan · from $1.99
ColorNote
Android notepad for color-coded notes and checklists
- ColorNote starts at $1.99 - $15.99 per item (in-app purchases; billing basis not shown). Simplenote is free.
- Only Simplenote lists a web app.
- Only Simplenote lists iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
- ColorNote also covers tasks and calendar.
Suits: Android users who want a plain notepad with checklists
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Drafts
Quick-capture notes app for Apple devices with text actions
- Drafts starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year. Simplenote is free.
- Only Simplenote lists a web app.
- Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
- Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
- Drafts also covers transcription, dictation and workflow automation.
Suits: Jotting text down quickly on iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch
- Free plan · from $4.99 one-time
FSNotes
Open-source Markdown notes app for Mac and iPhone
- FSNotes starts at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $8.99 one-time for Mac. Simplenote is free.
- 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: Mac and iPhone users who want notes kept as plain Markdown files
- Free
Heynote
Block-based scratchpad for developers on Mac, Windows and Linux
- Heynote is free. Simplenote is free.
- Only Simplenote lists a web app.
- Only Simplenote lists iOS and Android apps.
- Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
- Heynote also covers calculator.
Suits: Developers who need a holding place for JSON, logs and code snippets
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Notesnook
Open source, end-to-end encrypted notes on every platform
- Notesnook starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year (Essential). Simplenote is free.
- Only Notesnook lists a browser extension.
- Notesnook is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Notesnook also covers web clipper.
Suits: People who want notes the provider cannot read
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
UpNote
Cross-platform notes app with a lifetime purchase option
- UpNote starts at $1.99 per month, or $39.99 once for lifetime (Premium). Simplenote is free.
- Only UpNote lists a browser extension.
- Only Simplenote lists a web app.
- UpNote can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who prefer a one-time lifetime purchase to a subscription
Limits worth knowing in Simplenote
- Notes are text only: images, PDFs and other files cannot be attached, though Markdown can embed an image hosted elsewhere.
- Notes are encrypted in transit but not at rest, and Automattic advises against storing particularly sensitive information.
- An account is required; Simplenote cannot be used without one.
- Notes are shared one at a time, and an individual note cannot be hidden.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Simplenote?
The alternatives to Simplenote in this directory are Google Keep, Apple Notes, Standard Notes, Joplin, Bear, ColorNote, Drafts, FSNotes, Heynote, Notesnook and UpNote. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Simplenote.
Is there a free alternative to Simplenote?
Yes. Apple Notes and Heynote are free to use. Google Keep, Standard Notes, Joplin, Bear, ColorNote, Drafts, FSNotes, Notesnook and UpNote have a free plan alongside paid ones.
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.
Keep reading
- +2Alternatives
The best Evernote alternatives in 2026
Six Evernote alternatives for people who have run into its limits: 50 notes on the Free plan, 1,000 on Starter and no Linux app. Each pick says who it suits, what it costs and where it stops.
6 tools · Updated October 2026
- +3Alternatives
The best Notion alternatives in 2026
Seven Notion alternatives matched to the reasons people leave: AI that needs the Business plan, a free plan that tightens once a second member joins and no Linux desktop app. Each pick says who it suits and what it costs.
7 tools · Updated October 2026
- +3Alternatives
The best Obsidian alternatives in 2026
Seven Obsidian alternatives for people who want a web app, sync without a paid add-on or more structure than a set of Markdown files. Each pick says who it suits, what it costs and where it stops.
7 tools · Updated October 2026
