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

Simplenote is described as 'Made by the company behind WordPress, Simplenote enables users to take notes, lists, and ideas. These notes are stored on the cloud and are accessible across multiple devices' 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, Android, Windows and Linux apps. The best Simplenote alternative is Obsidian, which is free. Other great apps like Simplenote are Joplin, NoteLedge, Standard Notes and Logseq.

filter to find the best alternatives

Simplenote alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools, but if you're looking for Todo List Managers or Task Management Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Self-Hosted. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Simplenote.
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Alternatives list

  1. Obsidian icon

    Obsidian

     1075 likes
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    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.

    157 Obsidian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Obsidian screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Obsidian as an Alternative to Simplenote
    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).

    Simplenote Icon
    Obsidian icon

    • Obsidian is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Simplenote.

    • Obsidian is the most popular free alternative to Simplenote.

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

    Joplin

     860 likes
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    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.

    103 Joplin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Termux
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Online
    Desktop and mobile apps
     
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    5
    20
    Comments about Joplin as an Alternative to Simplenote
    Top Positive Comment
    ElectricFeelz
    1

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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. :)

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Simplenote Icon
    Joplin icon

    • Most users think Joplin is a great Simplenote alternative.

    • Joplin is the most popular Web-based & Self-Hosted alternative to Simplenote.

    • Joplin is the most popular Open Source alternative to Simplenote.

    • Joplin is Freemium and Open SourceSimplenote is Free and Open Source
    • Joplin is Privacy focusedSimplenote is not according to our users
  4. NoteLedge icon

    NoteLedge

     196 likes
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    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

    62 NoteLedge alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Summarizes PDFs, transcribes lectures and videos in real-time, creates flashcards, quizzes, and study plans, supports audio, text, image, and web input, offers advanced note organization, and allows interactive querying to stream...

    https://hynote.ai
    Learn More
  6. Standard Notes icon

    Standard Notes

     677 likes
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    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.

    112 Standard Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Standard Notes screenshot 1
     
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    3
    29
    Comments about Standard Notes as an Alternative to Simplenote
    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Simplenote Icon
    Standard Notes icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Standard Notes is a great Simplenote alternative.

    • 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
  7. Logseq icon

    Logseq

     313 likes
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    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.

    158 Logseq alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    Logseq screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Logseq as an Alternative to Simplenote
    dan-kolom26
    Positive
    0

    Free, powerful, always have actual plain-text notes

    Simplenote Icon
    Logseq icon
    • Logseq is Free and Open SourceSimplenote is also Free and Open Source
    • Logseq is Privacy focused and CustomizableSimplenote is not according to our users
  8. Notion icon

    Notion

     644 likes
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    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.

    145 Notion alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Notion screenshot 1
     
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    10

    • Most users think Notion is a great Simplenote alternative.

    • Notion is the most popular SaaS alternative to Simplenote.

    • Notion is Freemium and ProprietarySimplenote is Free and Open Source
    • Notion is CustomizableSimplenote is not according to our users
  10. Google Keep icon

    Google Keep

     830 likes
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    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.

    101 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
    Google Keep screenshot 2
    Google Keep screenshot 3
     
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    23
  11. Notesnook icon

    Notesnook

     169 likes
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    Notesnook is a simple and cross-platform private notes app that keeps your notes organized and synced on your phone, tablet and computer. Take notes, capture ideas, create to-do lists, keep a journal, write your assignments and manage projects, we have got you covered.

    287 Notesnook alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Evernote

     2481 likes
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    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.

    76 Evernote alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Kindle Fire
    Evernote screenshot 1
     
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    11
  13. Zim icon

    Zim

     509 likes
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    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"...

    313 Zim alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zim screenshot 1
     
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    15
  14. CherryTree icon

    CherryTree

     319 likes
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    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.

    95 CherryTree alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    CherryTree screenshot 1
     
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    9
12 of 107 Simplenote alternatives