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

The best free alternative to Simplenote is Obsidian. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Joplin or NoteLedge. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 10 alternatives to Simplenote and 19 is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Simplenote are Standard Notes, Google Keep, Zim and CherryTree.

Simplenote alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Simplenote.

Simplenote

564

Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool

Made by the company behind WordPress, Simplenote enables users to take notes, lists, and ideas....

More about Simplenote

Simplenote alternatives page was last updated

Obsidian
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Project Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Snapcraft
Flathub
40 Obsidian alternatives
Obsidian is a note-taking app that lets you create a personal knowledge graph with ease. It is designed for non-linear thinking and allows you to easily link your notes together wiki-style.
- - Obsidian is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Simplenote.
- - Obsidian is the most popular free alternative to Simplenote.
Suggest and vote on features
Obsidian Features
1. Support for MarkDownObsidian supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Works OfflineObsidian can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Obsidian without registration.
4. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsObsidian can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
5. Dark ModeObsidian supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. No TrackingObsidian will not track you or use your personal data.
7. LightweightObsidian consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
8. Syntax HighlightingObsidian supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
9. Ad-freeObsidian doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Local Storage
Graph view
Bidirectional links
Personal Information Manager (PIM)
Backlink
Knowledge Management
Custom themes
Note organization
Knowledge Base structuring
Write files in markdown
Joplin
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
AppImageHub
Snapcraft
Google Chrome
Flathub
Cloudron
Homebrew
Chocolatey
Termux
Firefox
31 Joplin alternatives
Joplin is a free, open source note taking and to-do application, which can handle a large number of notes organised into notebooks. The notes are searchable, can be copied, tagged and modified either from the applications directly or from your own text editor.
- - Joplin is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Simplenote.
- - Joplin is the most popular Open Source alternative to Simplenote.
Suggest and vote on features
Joplin Features
1. Support for MarkDownJoplin supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
3. End-to-End EncryptionJoplin has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
4. Privacy focusedJoplin is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Web ClipperSave any page or content from the web with a single click with Joplin.
6. Works OfflineJoplin can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Ad-freeJoplin doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
8. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Joplin.
9. LightweightJoplin consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Local Storage
Android Sync
Tagging
Encrypted Notes
WebDAV Support
Write files in markdown
Multiplatform
Synchronization
Plugin system
Export to HTML
Comments about Joplin as a Alternative to Simplenote
Most users think Joplin is a great Simplenote alternative.
ElectricFeelz
Joplin would be perfect for me if it'd had a web version. But it is still amazing!
Top positive comment •
1

shikuz
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. :)
Top positive comment •
0

ikjadoon
Unfortunately, Joplin still does not support Apple Silicon (M1/M2) natively. You're forced to install Rosetta 2. :(
Top negative comment •
0

Guest
Joplin's better than simplenote, because it's more features do help.
Positive comment •
0

hammansamuel
Joplin is more of a to-do manager and has much less focus on note-taking
Negative comment •
-18
NoteLedge
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Task Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
iPad
13 NoteLedge alternatives
Capture inspiration from Pinterest, YouTube or web pages, organize ideas in one place and add your notes. Make mood boards or quick sketches to visualize and present ideas!.
Suggest and vote on features
NoteLedge Features
1. Web ClipperSave any page or content from the web with a single click with NoteLedge.
2. Handwritten NotesNoteLedge supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
3. PortableNoteLedge can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. Video ImportYou can import external video material into NoteLedge.
5. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Drag and Drop
Sync on many devices
Multi-choice brushes
Tag based
Better formatting
Stickers
Apple Pencil support
Note organization
Live Screen Recording
Export to PDF
Opinions about NoteLedge as a Alternative to Simplenote
Almost everyone thinks NoteLedge is a great Simplenote alternative.
Standard Notes
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
37 Standard Notes alternatives
Standard Notes is a simple and private notes app. It allows you to write and sync your notes across all your devices, iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, MacOS, and web browser.
- - Standard Notes is the most popular Web-based alternative to Simplenote.
Suggest and vote on features
Standard Notes Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionStandard Notes has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Privacy focusedStandard Notes is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
4. Support for MarkDownStandard Notes supports MarkDown for document formatting.
5. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsStandard Notes can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
6. Works OfflineStandard Notes can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Encrypted BackupStandard Notes uses encryption algorithms to keep your files safe as well as prevent unauthorized access.
8. Ad-freeStandard Notes doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
9. Distraction-freeStandard Notes has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
Encrypted Notes
Clean design
AES Encryption
Security focused
Minimalistic
Distraction-free Writing
Sync on many devices
Simple text editor
Customizable
Mobile friendly
Comments about Standard Notes as a Alternative to Simplenote
Almost everyone thinks Standard Notes is a great Simplenote alternative.
yagamilighto
Unlimited data storage, strong encryption available passcode for entering the app.
Positive comment •
2

Bigshoes
Encrypted, open source, privacy focused, and powerful editors.
Positive comment •
-2

Guest
Encrypted. Open-source. Users in mind.
Positive comment •
-2
Google Keep
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
Google Chrome
Android Wear
33 Google Keep alternatives
Google Keep has several features including color coding notes, inserting images, creating lists, geo-fencing, shareable notes, and search by color.
Suggest and vote on features
Google Keep Features
1. Handwritten NotesGoogle Keep supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. Works OfflineGoogle Keep can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. Dark ModeGoogle Keep supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. RemindersGoogle Keep allows you to set reminders for tasks, events or actions, based on parameters of time, place or condition.
5. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Google Keep simultaneously.
6. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
7. Sync with Google CalendarGoogle Keep can be synchronized with Google Calendar
8. LightweightGoogle Keep consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Ad-freeGoogle Keep doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Sync on many devices
Visual Organization
Share notes
Web-Based
Multiplatform
Photo notes
Real-time sync
Tagging
Sharable lists
Voice Notes
Opinions about Google Keep as a Alternative to Simplenote
Most users think Google Keep is a great Simplenote alternative.
Zim
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Task Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Flathub
Flatpak
275 Zim alternatives
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"...
Suggest and vote on features
Zim Features
1. Works OfflineZim can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Zim.
3. WYSIWYG SupportZim integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
4. PortableZim can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. Ad-freeZim doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Dark ModeZim supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. Full-Text SearchZim lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
8. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsZim can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
9. Spell CheckingZim can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Plain text file
Wiki-like interface
Cross-Platform
Text formatting
Wiki
Outliner
Note organization
Export to HTML
Notebook
LaTeX Equations
Opinions about Zim as a Alternative to Simplenote
Almost everyone thinks Zim is a great Simplenote alternative.
CherryTree
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
29 CherryTree alternatives
A hierarchical note taking application, featuring rich text and syntax highlighting, storing data in a single xml or sqlite file.
Suggest and vote on features
CherryTree Features
1. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with CherryTree.
2. Syntax HighlightingCherryTree supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
3. Support for MarkDownCherryTree supports MarkDown for document formatting.
4. Code FormattingCherryTree supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
5. PortableCherryTree can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Tree structure
Infinite hierarchical depth
Includes images in notes
Outliner
Tree view
Text-manipulation
Internal linking
Tree-style
Customizable
Export to HTML
Opinions about CherryTree as a Alternative to Simplenote
Most users think CherryTree is a great Simplenote alternative.
Craft - Docs and Notes Editor
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Project Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Online
iPhone
iPad
32 Craft - Docs and Notes Editor alternatives
Craft is a tool for creating beautiful documents and notes and sharing your thoughts. Everything you crate in Craft can be shared with one tap. Craft supports inline markdown, backlinks, code snippets, images, videos, attaching PDF files, and rich link previews.
Suggest and vote on features
Craft - Docs and Notes Editor Features
1. Kanban Board Craft - Docs and Notes Editor allows you to organize your workflow by moving cards with drag-and-drop functionality between multiple columns.
2. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Craft - Docs and Notes Editor simultaneously.
3. Lightweight Craft - Docs and Notes Editor consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Handwritten Notes Craft - Docs and Notes Editor supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
5. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
6. Full-Text Search Craft - Docs and Notes Editor lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
7. File Versioning Craft - Docs and Notes Editor has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
8. Works Offline Craft - Docs and Notes Editor can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
9. Dark Mode Craft - Docs and Notes Editor supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Note organization
Sheet linking
Knowledge Management
Moodboard
Notebook
Capacities
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Task Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Online
24 Capacities alternatives
Capacities is a note-taking tool that has a fundamental approach to capturing your knowledge and ideas: Everything is typed and connected.
Suggest and vote on features
Capacities Features
1. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
2. Dark ModeCapacities supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Privacy focusedCapacities is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Knowledge Management
Knowledge base
Customizable
Beaver Notes
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
26 Beaver Notes alternatives
Your personal note-taking haven for privacy and efficiency.
Suggest and vote on features
Beaver Notes Features
1. Privacy focusedBeaver Notes is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. Ad-freeBeaver Notes doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
4. File TaggingBeaver Notes can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
5. Support for @mentionsBeaver Notes supports the use of mentions through @ to a particular user, who will be notified personally.
6. No TrackingBeaver Notes will not track you or use your personal data.
7. Works OfflineBeaver Notes can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Tag based
Focus Mode
Export to PDF
Note organization