The Notes.io Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Notes.io in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Notes.io
The Insider’s Guide
Free web notepad that turns a note into a short shareable link
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from Notes.io’s own pages.
Made by Metromedya · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Notes.io’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Notes.io’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 88 of the 169 other note-taking apps we grade
Notes.io is a browser-based notepad. You can write a note without an account and share it through a short link of eight characters. Signing in raises the size limit for notes that are longer than 18 KB.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Notes.io, taken from its own pages and our grades.
That is nearly all it does: the pages describe no folders, tags, search or apps, and say little about who can read a shared note.
- 1
Best for a quick note you can share with a link
Notes.io is a notepad in the browser that turns a note into a short link, with no account needed.
- 2
It is free
Notes.io has no paid plan at all. The site says it has been free since it started and needs no account to write and share a note.
- 3
It runs on Web
Web.
- 4
No account to start
Open the page and write; a note can be created and shared without signing up.
- 5
Short share links
Each note gets a link with an 8-character address that can be sent by SMS, email or a messaging app.
- 6
Any device with a browser
Notes are taken in the browser, so there is nothing to install on a phone or computer.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 88 of 169
That is against the other note-taking apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Notes.io is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Notes.io at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Metromedya
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for a quick note you can share with a link
Notes.io is a notepad in the browser that turns a note into a short link, with no account needed. That is nearly all it does: the pages describe no folders, tags, search or apps, and say little about who can read a shared note.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free, with no paid plan published anywhere on the site we read. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The site says it has been free since it started and needs no account to write and share a note. |
| Features | D | One narrow function: write a note, share it by link and keep an archive. No folders, tags, search or apps are described. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record. Open the page and type, with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Web only, with no apps, extension or integrations listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Notes.io is for
- Fits if you want to jot something down and send a link without signing up
- Works for passing a snippet of text to someone on another device
Who it is not for
- Too light for real note-keeping: no folders, tags or search are described
- Skip it if the note is private, as the pages say little about the privacy of shared notes
- Watch out: the short link covers notes up to 18 KB, and longer ones need you to sign in or trim them
- Not for you if you want an app, as there is only the website
Good to know
Good for
- Passing a block of text to someone as a link
- Quick throwaway notes without creating an account
Worth knowing
- Links shorten only notes up to 18 KB; longer notes need you to sign in or trim them.
- The pages describe no folders, tags, search or apps, only writing, sharing and an archive.
- The site publishes no paid plans, and its pages say little about privacy of shared notes.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Notes.io is free to use.
Free, with no paid plan published anywhere on the site we read.
Free
$0
Write and share notes in the browser without an account; sign in for notes over 18 KB.
The free plan
The site says it has been free since it started and needs no account to write and share a note.
Read from notes.io on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
Free web notepad that turns a note into a short shareable link. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: notes, file sharing.
One narrow function: write a note, share it by link and keep an archive.
- No account to start
- Open the page and write; a note can be created and shared without signing up.
- Short share links
- Each note gets a link with an 8-character address that can be sent by SMS, email or a messaging app.
- Any device with a browser
- Notes are taken in the browser, so there is nothing to install on a phone or computer.
- Archive of your notes
- The site describes an archive of past notes that can be browsed quickly.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Notes.io is made by Metromedya.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
88/169
Other note-taking apps it is graded above
Notes.io's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 88 of the 169 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 38.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 114 of 169) and worst on features (D, above 0).
Notes.io has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 170 note-taking apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Notes.io’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 72 of 169
- AFree plan and trialAbove 114 of 169
- DFeaturesAbove 0 of 169
- BEase of useAbove 61 of 169
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 34 of 169
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 118 note-taking apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Notes.io is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Notes.io is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could make
- Notes: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- Sharing with other people, which means accounts and invitations.
What this rests on. Notes.io’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Simplenote, Google Keep, Apple Notes, Tot and ColorNote
The 5 tools Notes.io is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.4GPA
Simplenote
Free
Free plain-text notes that sync across every major platform.
- Only Simplenote lists iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
- Notes.io also covers file sharing.
- 3.2GPA
Google Keep
Free plan · from $7/mo
Google's app for quick notes, lists and reminders.
- Only Google Keep lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Google Keep lists a browser extension.
- Notes.io also covers file sharing.
- 3.4GPA
Apple Notes
Free
Apple's free notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web.
- Only Apple Notes lists iOS and macOS apps.
- Notes.io also covers file sharing.
- Apple Notes also covers transcription and linked notes.
- 2.6GPA
Tot
Free plan · from $19.99 one-time
Seven-note text scratchpad for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
- Only Notes.io lists a web app.
- Only Tot lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Tot can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.4GPA
ColorNote
Free plan · from $1.99
Android notepad for color-coded notes and checklists.
- Only Notes.io lists a web app.
- Only ColorNote lists an Android app.
- Notes.io also covers file sharing.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Notes.io free?
Yes. Notes.io is free to use.
How much does Notes.io cost?
Notes.io lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Notes.io work on?
Notes.io is available on Web.
Does Notes.io have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Notes.io is listed for Web.
Does Notes.io have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Notes.io is listed for Web.
Is Notes.io open source?
Notes.io is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Who makes Notes.io?
Notes.io is made by Metromedya.
What are the alternatives to Notes.io?
The closest alternatives to Notes.io in our directory are Simplenote, Google Keep, Apple Notes, Tot and ColorNote.
How does Notes.io compare with other note-taking apps?
Notes.io's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 88 of the 169 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 38.
Is Notes.io good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Notes.io A for value for money. Notes.io has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Notes.io?
Notes.io is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: Storing and serving files for other people.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Notes.io’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Notes.io's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Metromedya. Prices change, so check notes.io before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Notes.io, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/notes-io
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Notes.io: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/notes-io
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/notes-io/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after Notes.io, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Note-Taking Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 170 note-taking apps we grade, compared
- Microsoft OneNote Insider's GuideMicrosoft's free digital notebook for typed, inked and audio notes3.8 GPA
- Goodnotes Insider's GuideHandwritten notes, PDF markup and whiteboards with an AI assistant3.6 GPA
- Joplin Insider's GuideOpen source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose3.6 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Notes.io’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Notes.io is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Metromedya. Prices and plans change: check notes.io before you buy.