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Simplenote alternatives · Note-Taking

Alternatives to Simplenote with a one-time purchase

The Simplenote listing shows no one-time purchase. 46 of the 146 other note-taking apps in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Simplenote is free to use. 31 of them are free or have a free plan.

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

The 12 closest to Simplenote

  1. 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.
    FSNotes vs SimplenoteFSNotes pricing and details

  2. GitJournal

    Mobile Markdown notes app that syncs through any Git repository

    • GitJournal starts at $1.99 per month in installments, or $31.99 one-time (US App Store minimums). Simplenote is free.
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    • Only Simplenote lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • GitJournal can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    GitJournal pricing and details

  3. 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.
    UpNote pricing and details

  4. MiaoYan

    Native Mac Markdown notes app with a split editor and preview

    • MiaoYan starts at $14.99 one-time purchase (App Store edition). Simplenote is free.
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    • Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
    • MiaoYan can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    MiaoYan pricing and details

  5. Understory

    Mac notes app for outlining and drafting essays, papers and books

    • Understory starts at $24.99 one-time purchase. Simplenote is free.
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    • Only Simplenote lists iOS, Android, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Understory can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Understory pricing and details

  6. DEVONthink

    Document and information manager for Mac, iPhone and iPad

    • DEVONthink starts at $99 one-time license, with 2 Mac seats and 1 year of updates. Simplenote is free.
    • Simplenote has a free plan. DEVONthink does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only DEVONthink lists a browser extension.
    • Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
    DEVONthink pricing and details

  7. MarginNote

    Study reader that turns highlights into mind maps and cards

    • MarginNote starts at $12.99 one-time (Pro Lifetime, iPhone and iPad only). Simplenote is free.
    • Simplenote has a free plan. MarginNote does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    • Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
    MarginNote pricing and details

  8. Tinderbox

    Mac tool for mapping, analyzing and sharing notes

    • Tinderbox starts at $289 one-time license, with a year of free updates. Simplenote is free.
    • Simplenote has a free plan. Tinderbox does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    • Only Simplenote lists iOS, Android, Windows and Linux apps.
    Tinderbox pricing and details

  9. Keep It

    Notebook and document organizer for Mac, iPhone and iPad

    • Keep It starts at $2.99 in-app subscription on the Mac App Store (billing period not labelled). Simplenote is free.
    • Simplenote has a free plan. Keep It does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Keep It lists a browser extension.
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    Keep It pricing and details

  10. Curio

    Freeform Mac notebook with mind maps, lists and Kanban

    • Curio starts at $5 per month, billed yearly ($60), or $99.99 one-time license. Simplenote is free.
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    • Only Simplenote lists iOS, Android, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Curio can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Curio pricing and details

  11. The Archive

    Plain-text note-taking app for Mac built around Zettelkasten

    • The Archive starts at $19.99 one-time purchase. Simplenote is free.
    • Simplenote has a free plan. The Archive does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    • Only Simplenote lists iOS, Android, Windows and Linux apps.
    The Archive pricing and details

  12. Notebooks

    Writing, documents and tasks organized in nested books

    • Notebooks starts at $17.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $43.99 one-time for Mac. Simplenote is free.
    • Simplenote has a free plan. Notebooks does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Simplenote lists a web app.
    • Only Simplenote lists Android and Linux apps.
    Notebooks pricing and details

34 more that can be bought with a one-time purchase

All 46 in one table

Common questions

Is there an alternative to Simplenote that you buy once?

Yes. FSNotes, GitJournal, UpNote, MiaoYan, Understory, DEVONthink, MarginNote, Tinderbox and 38 more can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Can you buy Simplenote once instead of subscribing?

The Simplenote listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these note-taking apps are free?

FSNotes, GitJournal, UpNote, MiaoYan, Understory, Curio, Octarine, NotePlus and 23 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Simplenote: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.