The Simplenote Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Simplenote 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.
Simplenote
The Insider’s Guide
Free plain-text notes that sync across every major platform
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among note-taking apps, read from Simplenote’s own pages.
Made by Automattic · checked Oct 5, 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 Simplenote’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Simplenote’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.4
GPA, above 138 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade
Simplenote is a free plain-text note app from Automattic for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux and the web. Notes sync automatically between devices, are organized with tags and pins, and keep a history of earlier versions. Markdown, checklists, sharing with other users and publishing a note to a public link are all included, but images and other files cannot be attached.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Simplenote, taken from its own pages and our grades.
If you keep files or sensitive notes, look elsewhere.
- 1
Best for free plain-text notes on every device
Simplenote is a free plain-text notes app from Automattic for iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux and the web, with sync included.
- 2
It is free
Simplenote has no paid plan at all. Everything is free: the apps, backups, syncing and sharing. Automattic says it places no restriction on the number of notes.
- 3
It runs on 6 platforms
iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux and Web.
- 4
Automatic sync
Notes stay updated across phones, computers and the web app automatically and in real time, with no sync button to press.
- 5
Tags, pins and instant search
Notes are organized with tags and pins, and search finds them as you type with keyword highlighting.
- 6
Version history
Notes are backed up with every change, so you can look back at what a note said last week or last month.
- 7
A 3.4 GPA, above 138 of 147
That is against the other note-taking apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Simplenote is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Simplenote at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Automattic
- Category
- Note-Taking Apps
- Our grade
- 3.4 GPA, very good
- Store rating
- 4.7 on the App Store, 4,315 ratings
The report card
Best for free plain-text notes on every device
Simplenote is a free plain-text notes app from Automattic for iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux and the web, with sync included. It's text only, so no photo, PDF or scan goes in, notes aren't encrypted at rest, you can't use it without an account, notes are shared one at a time, and WordPress.com is the only integration. If you keep files or sensitive notes, look elsewhere.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free outright, with no paid plan at all, where paid plans in this category sit at $6 a month in the middle. Sync, backups, sharing and version history are all part of the one free account. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Everything is free: the apps, syncing, backups and sharing, and Automattic says it puts no limit on how many notes you keep. There's no cap here to walk into. You do need an account, mind. It won't run without one. |
| Features | C | Sync, tags, pins, search as you type, version history, Markdown, checklists, links between notes and publishing to a public link. But the listing names the gap plainly: notes are text only, so no image, PDF or scan goes in, and they aren't encrypted at rest. |
| Ease of use | A | 4.75 from about 4,300 App Store ratings, which is the top band. There's no sync button to press and no folders to set up. You type, you tag, you search. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux and the web, which is everything most people own, and a note can be published to a public link. What holds it short of an A is the wiring: WordPress.com is the only integration on the listing. |
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 Simplenote is for
- 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
Who it is not for
- 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
Good to know
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
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
Simplenote is free to use.
Sync, backups, sharing and version history are all part of the one free account.
Free
$0
Every app and feature, including sync, version history, collaboration and publishing, with a Simplenote account.
The free plan
Everything is free: the apps, backups, syncing and sharing. Automattic says it places no restriction on the number of notes.
Read from simplenote.com on Oct 5, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
6
Places it runs: Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android
Free plain-text notes that sync across every major platform. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, works offline, notes, Markdown, linked notes.
Sync, tags, pins, search as you type, version history, Markdown, checklists, links between notes and publishing to a public link.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Web
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
- WordPress.com
Simplenote is made by Automattic.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
138/147
Other note-taking apps it is graded above
Simplenote's GPA of 3.4 is higher than 138 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 5.
It stands best on ease of use (A, above 133 of 147) and worst on features (C, above 2).
Simplenote has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 3.0 out of 4, and no tool on the category's chart scores higher without costing more.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 148 note-taking apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Simplenote’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 62 of 147
- AFree plan and trialAbove 100 of 147
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 147
- AEase of useAbove 133 of 147
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 86 of 147
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 note-taking apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Simplenote 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
Simplenote is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.4 is higher than 138 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade.
What you could make
- Notes, Markdown and linked notes: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- Sharing with other people, which means accounts and invitations.
What this rests on. Simplenote’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
Google Keep, Apple Notes, Standard Notes, Joplin and Bear
The 5 tools Simplenote is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.2GPA
Google Keep
Free plan · from $7/mo
Google's app for quick notes, lists and reminders.
- Only Simplenote lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Google Keep lists a browser extension.
- Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.4GPA
Apple Notes
Free
Apple's free notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web.
- Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
- Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
- Simplenote also covers Markdown.
- 2.8GPA
Standard Notes
Free plan · from $90/yr
End-to-end encrypted notes app with open source clients.
- Only Standard Notes lists a browser extension.
- Standard Notes is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Simplenote also covers linked notes.
- 3.6GPA
Joplin
Free plan · from €2.40/mo
Open source Markdown notes with sync through a service you choose.
- Only Joplin lists a browser extension.
- Joplin is self-hostable and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Simplenote also covers linked notes.
- 2.6GPA
Bear
Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Markdown notes app for Mac, iPhone and iPad with tags and links.
- Only Simplenote lists a web app.
- Only Simplenote lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Bear lists a browser extension.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
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 Simplenote free?
Yes. Simplenote is free to use.
How much does Simplenote cost?
Simplenote lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Simplenote work on?
Simplenote is available on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux and Web.
How is Simplenote rated?
Simplenote's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4,315 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
Is Simplenote open source?
Yes. Simplenote is open source, according to its own site.
Does Simplenote work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
What does Simplenote integrate with?
Simplenote's listing names WordPress.com. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Simplenote?
Simplenote is made by Automattic.
What are the alternatives to Simplenote?
The closest alternatives to Simplenote in our directory are Google Keep, Apple Notes, Standard Notes, Joplin and Bear.
How does Simplenote compare with other note-taking apps?
Simplenote's GPA of 3.4 is higher than 138 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade, and level with 5.
Is Simplenote good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Simplenote A for value for money. Simplenote has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Simplenote?
Simplenote is free, so making your own would save you nothing. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.4 is higher than 138 of the 147 other note-taking apps we grade.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Simplenote’s own pages on Oct 5, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Simplenote's own pages on 5 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-02-28.
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 Automattic. Prices change, so check simplenote.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 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.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Simplenote, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/simplenote
- 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, "Simplenote: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 5, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/simplenote
Know someone choosing between note-taking apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/simplenote/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded note-taking apps after Simplenote, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Note-Taking Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 148 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 Simplenote’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. Simplenote is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Automattic. Prices and plans change: check simplenote.com before you buy.