Simplenote vs UpNote

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

UpNote

• People who prefer a one-time lifetime purchase to a subscription
• One notes app across Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android
• Moving notes over from Evernote, Apple Notes, Bear or Simplenote

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.

UpNote

• The free version is limited to 50 notes; attachments, tables, locks and export need Premium.
• There is no end-to-end encryption: notes sync through Firebase and are encrypted in transit and at rest.
• Premium cannot be bought in the Windows or Linux apps; it is purchased on Mac, iOS or Android and then syncs to your account.
• Attachments are limited to 20 MB, and image resolution is reduced automatically on upload.

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.

UpNote

Notebooks, hashtags and Quick Access

Notes are organized with nested notebooks and hashtags, can be pinned to the top of a list or added to Quick Access, and are filtered by matching keywords.

Rich text and Markdown editor

The editor offers rich text options, Markdown support, lists, images, links, attachments, quotes, code blocks, text highlighting and collapsible sections.

Sync and offline use

Notes sync automatically across devices after you sign in and can be read and written without a connection. Without an account, notes stay on the device.

Web Clipper

Browser extensions for Chrome, Safari and Firefox save a web page into UpNote.

Version history, backup and export

Version history is saved as you edit, the desktop app keeps automatic local backups, and Premium exports notes to text, PDF, HTML or Markdown.

Focus mode, locks and sharing

Focus mode hides the note list and menus, a note can be shared through a secret web link, and Premium adds locks for notes, notebooks and the whole app.

Simplenote

• Free$0

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

UpNote

• Free$0

  Up to 50 notes with basic features, synced across all your devices.

• Premium$1.99

  per month

  Unlimited notes, attachments, tables and code, locks for notes and notebooks, themes and notebook covers, and export to text, PDF, HTML and Markdown.

• Premium Lifetime$39.99

  one-time purchase

  The same Premium features for a single payment. One purchase covers all your devices once you sign in to your UpNote account.

Simplenote

No public discounts listed.

UpNote

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime Premium for a one-time $39.99

  Premium can be bought once for $39.99 instead of $1.99 a month. UpNote says existing lifetime licenses will still be honored if its pricing model changes.