---
title: Simplenote
canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/simplenote/
category: Note-Taking Apps
points: 56
rank: 8 of 10
facts_checked: 2026-10-08
---

# Simplenote

Entirely free, open-source plain-text notes with Markdown, synced on every major system and the web.

56 points out of 100. #8 of 10 note-taking apps. Vendor: Automattic Inc.. Website: https://simplenote.com/

- Simplenote is entirely free: apps, backups, syncing and sharing [1].
- Apps cover iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux, plus a web app [1][2].
- Notes are encrypted in transit but not at rest [2].
- Markdown works in the web, Android, Windows, Linux and iOS apps [2].
- Desktop export downloads a zip of all notes at once [2].

Verdict: Simplenote suits people who want plain, fast text notes synced free on every system. It costs nothing, works offline and keeps older versions of each note [1][2]. The catch: notes are encrypted in transit but not at rest, and there is no end-to-end encryption option [2]. Best for: People who want simple text notes synced free everywhere.

## Points

| Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems | Apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web | 18/18 | Apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux, plus a web app [1][2]. |
| Systems | Works offline | Yes | 7/7 | All Simplenote apps are designed for offline use and sync after reconnecting [2]. |
| Your data | Notes as plain files | Not published | 0/10 | Notes are stored on Simplenote's servers and synced to devices [2]. |
| Your data | Export everything to Markdown or HTML | Not published | 0/6 | Desktop export downloads a zip of all notes; the file format is not stated [2]. |
| Your data | End-to-end encryption | No | 0/8 | Notes are encrypted in transit; Simplenote says they are not encrypted at rest [2]. |
| Your data | Open source | Yes | 6/6 | The desktop and Android apps are public on GitHub under GPL-2.0 [3][4]. |
| Features | Web clipper | Not published | 0/5 |  |
| Features | Linked notes | Not published | 0/5 | Internal links connect notes; a view of notes linking back is not published [2]. |
| Features | Real-time collaboration | Yes | 5/5 | Shared notes can be viewed and edited by others, and changes sync in real time [1][2]. |
| Features | Tables and databases | Not published | 0/5 |  |
| Features | Handwriting and drawing | Not published | 0/5 |  |
| Price | Free sync | Yes | 10/10 | Apps, backups, syncing and sharing are all free [1]. |
| Price | Cheapest paid plan | $0 | 10/10 | Entirely free; there is no paid plan [1][2]. |

## Plans

| Plan | Price | Per month (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free [1] | $0 |

## Strengths

- Free on every platform, including sync, backups and sharing [1].
- Every change is backed up, so older versions can be reviewed [1].
- The apps are open source under GPL-2.0 [3][4].
- All apps are built to work offline [2].

## Limits

- Notes are not encrypted at rest on Simplenote's servers [2].
- Notes are shared with collaborators one at a time [2].
- The web app needs a connection unless installed as a Progressive Web App [2].
- The Android app does not render HTML tags in Markdown [2].

## Sources

1. [Simplenote](https://simplenote.com/), Automattic, accessed 2026-10-08
2. [Help](https://simplenote.com/help/), Simplenote, accessed 2026-10-08
3. [Automattic/simplenote-electron](https://github.com/Automattic/simplenote-electron), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08
4. [Automattic/simplenote-android](https://github.com/Automattic/simplenote-android), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08