nvALT vs Simplenote (2026): which should you pick?

Pick nvALT if

• Fits if you want quick plain-text notes on a Mac, driven from the keyboard
• Works for people who already use Simplenote

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you use Windows, a phone or a browser, as it is Mac only
• Tight if you sync through Dropbox: the app warns against that while Simplenote sync is on
• Watch out: a new major version opens with default settings, so sync and the notes folder must be picked again
• Watch out: the author describes nvUltra as the app that follows nvALT

Pick Simplenote if

• Fits if you want plain notes on your phone, your computer and a browser for nothing
• Works for people who'd rather tag and search than build folders

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you keep photos, PDFs or scans in your notes, as it's text only
• Not for you if your notes are sensitive, since they aren't encrypted at rest and Automattic advises against it
• Too light for sharing a whole notebook, because notes are shared one at a time
• Watch out: you can't use it at all without a Simplenote account
• Tight if you want it connected to other tools, as WordPress.com is the only integration on the listing

nvALT

• nvALT 3 requires macOS 12 or later; there is no Windows, mobile or web version.
• Sync is through Simplenote only, and the app warns if notes sit in Dropbox while Simplenote sync is on.
• A first launch of a new major version opens with default settings, so sync and notes folder must be chosen again.
• The author describes nvUltra as the app he is building to follow nvALT.

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.

nvALT

Search-first note entry

One field searches and creates: typing filters the list, and a title with no match becomes a new note on Return.

Plain-text files

New libraries are a folder of Markdown files, and tags are written to them as Finder tags.

Apex Markdown preview

Previews combine CommonMark, GitHub Flavored Markdown, MultiMarkdown and Kramdown syntax, with themes for editor and preview.

Web clipping

Safari extension ships inside the app; Chrome, Brave, Firefox and Zen extensions are installed separately.

Simplenote sync

Sync runs through Simplenote and is set up in the Synchronization tab of the notes settings.

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.

nvALT

• nvALT$0

  Free download; the project page says it is free and shows no paid tier.

Simplenote

• Free$0

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