The Best Simplenote AlternativesTop Note-taking Tools & Todo List Managers like Simplenote

Simplenote is described as 'Cross-platform cloud note-taking with plain text, syncing, tagging, real-time collaboration, markdown, version history, and open-source clients' and is a leading Note-taking tool in the office & productivity category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Simplenote for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Web-based, Windows, Android and Linux apps. The best Simplenote alternative is Obsidian, which is free. Other great apps like Simplenote are Joplin, NoteLedge, Standard Notes and Logseq.

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Alternatives list

  1. Obsidian icon

    Obsidian

     1200 likes

    Privacy-oriented note-taking app for non-linear thinking, blending knowledge graph creation with wiki-style linking. Supports Markdown, end-to-end encryption, and plugins for customization. Offers distraction-free mode, tags, themes, syntax highlighting, and operates offline without tracking.

    327 Obsidian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • AppImage
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Obsidian screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Obsidian vs Simplenote Comments
    uhada
    Positive
    1

    There are an infinite amount to like Obsidian, but one reason to like it over Simplenote is that it lives locally on your device, so you have complete control, and it doesn't require a subscription (only for sync and hosting, which there are free plugins for too).

    • Obsidian is Freemium and ProprietarySimplenote is Free and Open Source
    • Obsidian is Privacy focusedSimplenote is not according to our users
  2. Joplin icon

    Joplin

     941 likes

    Open source app for managing notes and to-dos with Markdown support. Syncs seamlessly across devices using services like Dropbox and OneDrive. Offers end-to-end encrypted synchronicity, offline access, rich import/export options, and a Web Clipper for browsers.

    208 Joplin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Termux
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Joplin screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Joplin vs Simplenote Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    ElectricFeelz
    1

    Joplin would be perfect for me if it'd had a web version. But it is still amazing!

    Top Negative Comment
    ikjadoon
    0

    Unfortunately, Joplin still does not support Apple Silicon (M1/M2) natively. You're forced to install Rosetta 2. :(

    shikuz
    Positive
    0

    Joplin is simple, and it's great place for your notes. I get to have all my notes, on every device, anywhere, always securely synced via any service I choose. there are very few mature, free and open source note-taking solutions that offer all of that flexibility. But Simplenote is great too. :)

    3 of 5 comments
    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceSimplenote is Free and Open Source
    • Joplin is Privacy focused and DecentralizedSimplenote is not according to our users
  4. NoteLedge icon

    NoteLedge

     199 likes

    Note-taking tool tailored for creatives offering idea capture from Pinterest, YouTube, and the web. Allows mood board creation, drawing, and sketching with varied brushes. Present work, share with teams using multimedia and exportable notes in PDF format

    104 NoteLedge alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    NoteLedge screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Capacities icon
    Capacities

    Capacities offers a revolutionary note-taking experience by utilizing a network-based structure for knowledge capture and organization. Users create unique entities like ideas and questions in a graph view, fostering personalized...

    https://capacities.io
    Learn More
  6. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     708 likes

    Secure note-taking app with end-to-end encryption, unlimited syncing across all platforms, offline access, detailed organization through tags, strong passcode and biometric protections, and premium features like encrypted files, themes, web clipper, super note types, and hardware key support.

    210 Standard Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Plain text note on free version.
     
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    3
    Standard Notes vs Simplenote Comments
    yagamilighto
    Positive
    2

    Unlimited data storage, strong encryption available passcode for entering the app.

    Bigshoes
    Positive
    -2

    Encrypted, open source, privacy focused, and powerful editors.

    Guest
    Positive
    -2

    Encrypted. Open-source. Users in mind.

    • Standard Notes is Freemium and Open SourceSimplenote is Free and Open Source
    • Standard Notes is Privacy focused, Security-focused and CustomizableSimplenote is not according to our users
  8. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     355 likes

    Local-first, privacy-focused notebook supporting Markdown and Emacs Org mode. Offers offline use, encrypted backups, plugin extensibility, LaTeX support, real-time collaboration, and hierarchical organization for personal knowledge management.

    249 Logseq alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Logseq screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Logseq vs Simplenote Comments
    dan-kolom26
    Positive
    0

    Free, powerful, always have actual plain-text notes

    • Logseq is Free and Open SourceSimplenote is also Free and Open Source
    • Logseq is Privacy focused, Decentralized and CustomizableSimplenote is not according to our users
  9. Google Keep icon

    Google Keep

     847 likes

    Google Keep is a multifunctional tool that merges note-taking with browsing, allowing capture of thoughts, checklists, or voice notes, with cross-device synchronization. Features include color-coded notes, voice transcription, geo-fencing, collaboration, cloud storage, and seamless Google integration.

    170 Google Keep alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Android Wear
    Google Keep screenshot 1
     
  10. Notion icon

    Notion

     678 likes

    Enhance team collaboration and content organization with Notion. Experience real-time access, intuitive drag-and-drop functionalities, and visually simple interfaces designed for productivity in managing tasks, notes, and databases effectively. Ideal for teams of every size.

    389 Notion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Notion screenshot 1
     
  11. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     214 likes

    Offers open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes with device-based privacy, cross-platform support, private vault, secure sync, offline access, markdown editor, exports to multiple formats, automatic backups, organizational tools, and strong encryption.

    386 Notesnook alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    • Self-Hosted
    Notesnook screenshot 1
     
  12. Evernote icon

    Evernote

     2488 likes

    App designed for cross-platform note-taking and organizing. Create notes with text, images, and audio, tag and search them. Features offline access, business card scanning, and presentation modes. Integrate with LinkedIn and secure with a passcode lock.

    123 Evernote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Kindle Fire
    Evernote screenshot 1
     
  13. Zim icon

    Zim

     519 likes

    Zim brings the concept of a wiki to your desktop. Store information, link pages and edit with WYSISYG markup or directly typing some lightweight markup syntax and see it previewed as-you-type. Creating a new page is easy by either clicking on the "Create new note"...

    357 Zim alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zim screenshot 1
     
  14. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     333 likes

    Hierarchical note-taking software that is free, open-source, cross-platform. Features include rich text, syntax highlighting, multi-level lists, embedded files, customizable interface, code execution, PDF export, spell check, images & tables, and comprehensive project management support.

    148 CherryTree alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    CherryTree screenshot 1
     
12 of 186 Simplenote alternatives