Alternatives to Simplenote

Minimal note app that syncs plain-text and Markdown notes across devices. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Simplenote.

  • Apple Notes

    Apple's built-in notes app with sync, sketches, and text recognition.

    FreeProprietarymacOSiOS

    Apple Notes is free and preinstalled with sync, sketches and OCR search, but works only on macOS and iOS with no Windows or Android app.

  • Standard Notes

    Encrypted notes built for the long term, where sync is free on unlimited devices and you can host the server.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSWebSelf-hosted

    Standard Notes adds end-to-end encryption and free sync on unlimited devices including iOS and web, but its free tier is also plain text only.

  • Notesnook

    An end-to-end encrypted note app where the company cannot read your notes, with clients on every platform and full source published.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxWeb

    Notesnook encrypts notes end to end so the provider cannot read them, with an open source client, though some features and larger attachments need Pro.

  • Joplin

    An open source note and to-do app that syncs end-to-end encrypted through storage you already have.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Joplin syncs end-to-end encrypted through storage you choose, supports attachments and imports Evernote exports, but setting up sync takes some steps.

  • Bear

    Apple-exclusive markdown notes app with tag-based organization and a polished editor.

    FreemiumProprietarymacOSiOS

    Bear is a polished Markdown notes app with tag organisation, but runs only on Apple platforms and some features need a subscription.

  • QOwnNotes

    A plain-text Markdown notepad and todo manager that syncs through Nextcloud or ownCloud, or any file sync you already use.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinux

    QOwnNotes keeps plain Markdown files synced through Nextcloud, ownCloud or other file sync, with todos, but has no sync service of its own.

  • Obsidian

    A notes app that works on a folder of plain Markdown files on your own disk, with links between them.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Obsidian stores Markdown files locally with linking and plugins, free with no account, but syncing requires Obsidian Sync or your own tool.

  • Google Keep

    A note service from Google for quick notes, checklists and reminders that sync across devices.

    FreeProprietaryWeb

    Google Keep offers quick notes, checklists and reminders synced through a Google account, closed source and stored on Google's servers.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Simplenote as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Drafts

    An Apple-platform app for capturing text quickly and sending it elsewhere with actions.

    FreemiumProprietarymacOSiOS

    Simplenote is an open-source minimal app syncing plain-text notes free across Windows, Linux, Android and macOS, without Drafts' action system or iOS listing.

  • Inkdrop

    A Markdown note-taking app for developers with notebooks, tags, encrypted sync and AI features.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Simplenote is free and open source with unlimited plain-text and Markdown sync, but lacks encryption on the server, attachments, folders, notebooks and an iOS app in the roster.

  • Markor

    An open-source Android text editor for Markdown notes, todo.txt lists and plain text files.

    FreeOpen sourceAndroid

    Simplenote syncs plain-text and Markdown notes free across Android and desktop through its own service, but lacks todo.txt support and stores notes unencrypted on Automattic's servers.

  • Memos

    A self-hosted, open-source note-taking service that keeps quick Markdown notes in a private timeline.

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    Simplenote is open source with free hosted sync across desktop and Android, so no server is needed, but notes sit unencrypted on Automattic's servers.

  • Nextcloud Notes

    A distraction-free Markdown notes app for Nextcloud that stores notes as files on your server.

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    Simplenote syncs plain-text and Markdown notes free through Automattic's hosted service, removing the need for a server but storing notes unencrypted on its servers.

  • SideNotes

    A Mac note-taking app that slides in from the side of the screen for quick notes.

    PaidProprietarymacOS

    Simplenote is a free, open-source app on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android with unlimited plain-text sync, but no folders or images.

  • Tot

    A small text scratchpad for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch that syncs through iCloud.

    FreemiumProprietarymacOSiOS

    Simplenote is free and open source with unlimited plain-text sync across Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, but it has no listed iOS or Apple Watch app.

  • UpNote

    A cross-platform notes app with rich text, Markdown support, nested notebooks and automatic sync.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSBrowser extension

    Simplenote is free and open source with unlimited plain-text sync and version history, but offers no attachments, folders, rich formatting or listed iOS app.

  • Zoho Notebook

    A note-taking app from Zoho with card-style notes, checklists, audio, sketches and cross-device sync.

    FreemiumProprietaryAndroidiOSWeb

    Simplenote is free and open source with unlimited plain-text sync on desktop and Android, but offers no attachments, sketches, audio or rich formatting.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.