Simplenote
What Simplenote is
Simplenote is a free note-taking app that keeps notes synchronized across devices, including web and desktop apps. Sync runs automatically and wirelessly when the app is opened. Notes can be organized with tags and found through instant search, and the app supports writing, previewing, and publishing in Markdown. Users can collaborate on individual notes or publish view-only notes for anyone with a link.
The apps support offline access and editing for notes downloaded while online; changes made offline sync after reconnecting. Each change is backed up, and the help page says most apps support viewing earlier note versions. Simplenote is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web. The desktop and web apps can import Evernote exports; the web app and other apps can import Simplenote JSON, plain text, or Markdown files. The maker says its apps are open source and welcomes contributions through GitHub repositories. Notes cannot contain uploaded attachments. Automattic Inc. is identified as the copyright holder on the site footer.
Who it suits
Simplenote suits people who want a free notes app that works across phones, computers, and the web, with offline editing and automatic syncing. It is also a fit for Markdown writers and people who want to collaborate on notes or share view-only links.
What it does well
- Free plan includes notes, backups, syncing, and sharing.
- Available across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and web.
- Downloaded notes can be edited offline and sync after reconnecting.
- Tags and instant search help organize and find notes.
- Markdown writing, previewing, and publishing are supported.
- Apps are open source, with contributions welcomed through GitHub.
What to know first
- Notes cannot contain uploaded attachments.
- Offline editing applies to notes downloaded while online.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Apps, backups, syncing, and sharing are free | Free |
As simplenote.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Simplenote website or install the app for a supported platform.
- Open the app while online to sync and download notes.
- Organize notes with tags and use search to find them.
- Write or preview notes in Markdown, or share a note for collaboration or view-only access.
Verdict
Choose Simplenote for free, synchronized notes across a wide range of platforms, with Markdown, offline editing, and sharing. Look elsewhere if you need to add uploaded attachments to notes.
Questions
Is Simplenote free?
Yes. The Free plan costs nothing and includes notes, backups, syncing, and sharing.
Which platforms does Simplenote support?
It is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web.
Can I use Simplenote offline?
Yes. Downloaded notes can be accessed and edited offline, and those changes sync after reconnecting.
Is Simplenote open source?
Yes. Simplenote says all its apps are open source and welcomes contributions through its GitHub repositories.
Can I import notes from other apps or files?
The desktop and web apps can import Evernote exports. The web app and other apps can import Simplenote JSON, plain text, or Markdown files.
Can notes include attachments?
No. Notes cannot contain uploaded attachments.
Facts from Simplenote's own pages
- API status
- The listed legacy Simplenote API was deprecated and the page says it would stop functioning after October 1, 2018. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Content limits
- Notes cannot contain uploaded attachments, and the help page says there is no restriction on the number of notes unless the system is abused. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · simplenote.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The desktop and web apps can import Evernote exports, while the web app and other apps can import Simplenote JSON and plain text or Markdown files. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The site footer identifies Automattic Inc. as the copyright holder; the opened pages do not state a headquarters or founding year. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Markdown
- Simplenote supports writing, previewing, and publishing notes in Markdown. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Note sharing
- Yes · simplenote.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Offline access
- Yes · simplenote.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Offline use
- Apps support offline access and editing after notes have been downloaded while online; offline changes sync after reconnecting. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Simplenote says all its apps are open source and welcomes contributions through its GitHub repositories. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Notes can be organized with tags and searched instantly. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- web,windows,macos,linux,ios,android · simplenote.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Simplenote is a note-taking app that syncs notes across devices. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The help center has separate answers about encryption in storage and during synchronization, but the opened page did not expose their answer text. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Sharing
- Users can collaborate on individual notes or publish view-only notes for anyone with the link. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Simplenote provides a Help Center, Contact Us page, and Support Forum. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Sync
- Notes sync automatically and wirelessly between devices, the web app, and desktop apps when the app is opened. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Version history
- Notes are backed up with every change, and the help page says most apps support viewing previous note versions. · simplenote.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where Simplenote stands on Freedom251
- Note-taking apps#23 of 216
- Note And Writing Apps#19 of 32