Bundled Notes vs Simplenote

Bundled Notes

• Android users who want notes, lists and boards in one app
• Color-coded personal organization with tags
• People happy to support a solo developer with a low-cost subscription

Simplenote

• Plain-text notes synced across phone, desktop and browser at no cost
• People who prefer tags and search over folders
• Publishing a note to a public web link

Bundled Notes

• The free plan covers the Android app only; the web app needs Pro.
• The iOS app is in early access and its App Store listing shows its own Pro prices ($2.99 monthly, $24.99 yearly). A Mac or Windows app is not currently planned.
• The free plan stops at 8 bundles, 1,000 notes per bundle, 150 MB of account storage and 20 MB per file.
• End-to-end encryption is not supported: data is encrypted at rest and in transit only, and self-hosting is not offered.

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.

Bundled Notes

Bundles

A bundle is a notebook with its own layout, color, sorting, grouping, tags and to-do settings, so one can look like a grid of notes and another like a list or a board.

Markdown editor

Notes are formatted with Markdown that renders as you type, covering headings, bold, italics, checklists and code, with a formatting toolbar and find-in-text.

Tags and task tags

Tags color-code notes and bundles, and tags set up as task tags turn notes into to-do items that can be checked off.

Kanban boards

Any bundle can switch to board mode, where notes become cards in custom columns that can be reordered, for projects or custom to-do lists.

Sync and offline access

Notes are backed up to your account and synced between devices. They can be read and edited without a connection, and changes sync once you are back online.

Attachments, links and reminders

Images, videos and files can be added to notes, pasted links become rich previews, and reminders can be one-off or repeat daily, weekly or monthly.

Simplenote

Automatic sync

Notes stay updated across phones, computers and the web app automatically and in real time, with no sync button to press.

Tags, pins and instant search

Notes are organized with tags and pins, and search finds them as you type with keyword highlighting.

Version history

Notes are backed up with every change, so you can look back at what a note said last week or last month.

Markdown

Notes can be written, previewed and published in Markdown. The help center lists Markdown support on the web, Android, iOS, Windows and Linux apps.

Collaboration and publishing

A note can be shared with another person by email address so both can edit it, or published to a public simp.ly link for read-only viewing.

Checklists and internal links

Notes can contain checklists with nested items, and internal links jump from one note to another.

Bundled Notes

• Free$0

  Android app only, with 8 bundles, 1,000 notes per bundle, a 150 MB account limit and a 20 MB file limit.

• Pro$2.79

  per month, or $27.99 per year

  Web app access, unlimited bundles and notes, a 15 GB account limit and a 400 MB file limit. The pricing page says it is sold through Google Play in the Android app.

Simplenote

• Free$0

  Every app and feature, including sync, version history, collaboration and publishing, with a Simplenote account.

Bundled Notes

• Annual discount

  Save 16% with yearly billing

  Pro is $2.79 a month or $27.99 a year. The pricing page labels the yearly price a 16% saving.

• Education

  Free Pro for students

  Students who email support from a student or education address, with their account email and length of study, get Pro free for that period, up to 2 years.

Simplenote

No public discounts listed.