Simplenote review

Simplenote strips note-taking down to text. Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, says the apps, backups, syncing and sharing are all completely free, with apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux and the browser. Notes sync automatically in real time, and every change is backed up, so you can go back to what a note said last week or last month. Organization uses tags and pinned notes, and instant search highlights matching keywords. You can write in Markdown and preview it, share a note with a collaborator, publish a note to the web with a link or post it straight to a WordPress site. The mobile app supports a passcode lock. For Evernote users, the gap is clear: Simplenote's feature list covers text only, with no image or file attachments, no web clipper and no document scanner. It is a good home for checklists, drafts and reference text, and a poor fit for scanned paperwork.

Who it is for

people who want fast text notes at no cost

Price

Free, including apps, backups, syncing and sharing.

Apps, backups, syncing, sharing – it’s all completely free.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 14, 2026.

Key features

• Apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux and the browser
• Tags and pins with instant search
• Notes are backed up with every change for version history
• Markdown writing and preview
• Publish notes online or to a WordPress site

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Every feature, including sync and backups, is free
• Strength: Real-time sync with no sync button
• Strength: Passcode lock on mobile
• Weakness: Feature list covers text notes only, with no image or file attachments listed
• Weakness: Organizes with tags rather than notebooks
• Weakness: No web clipper or document scanner listed

Key facts

• Price: Free
• Maker: Automattic
• Version history: Every change is backed up
• Platforms: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, web

Where it ranks

Simplenote is No. 9 in our Best Evernote Alternatives verdict.