Joplin
Free, open-source notes and to-dos with end-to-end encrypted sync and Evernote import.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
Web App
Simplenote
Completely free, fast notes that sync everywhere, from the makers of WordPress.com.
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Simplenote?
Simplenote is a lightweight notes app from Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com. Apps, backups, syncing and sharing are all completely free. Notes sync automatically in real time across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux and the web, and you can organise them with tags, search instantly and write in Markdown.
Pros
- Everything is free, including sync and backups
- Fast, distraction-free and available everywhere
- Tags, instant search and Markdown
Cons
- Plain text only, no rich attachments or web clipper
- No notebooks or nested folders
Who should use Simplenote
People who want quick, simple notes on every device for free.
Who may not need it
Anyone who stores PDFs, images and web clips like in Evernote.
Compare Simplenote
Side-by-side comparisons and lists that include Simplenote.
Simplenote alternatives
Similar resources to Simplenote, picked from the directory.
Notesnook
Private, end-to-end encrypted, open-source notes with a free plan.
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.4Visit
Bear
Fast, elegant markdown notes for Apple devices.
iOS AppFree planiOS, macOS
4.6Visit
Superlist
Lists, notes and team tasks in one document-like workspace.
Web AppFree planWeb, macOS
4.4Visit
Evernote
A long-running notes and web-clipping archive with strong search.
Web AppFree planWeb, iOS
4.0Visit
Dataview
A data index and query language over the Markdown files in your Obsidian vault.
OtherFreeCross-Platform
4.5Visit
Free alternatives to Simplenote
Free resources that cover similar ground.
Reor
A free, open-source AI note app that runs models locally. No longer maintained.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.5Visit
Glyph
A private desktop workspace for notes, documents and ideas, with Markdown and built-in AI.
Desktop AppFreemacOS
4.3Visit
Google Keep
Instant capture for fleeting thoughts.
Web AppFreeWeb, Android
4.2Visit
Arc Browser
The internet, your way.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.5Visit
claude-obsidian
Self-organizing AI second brain for Obsidian and Claude Code — drop any source and Claude reads, links and files it.
AI ToolFreemacOS, Windows
4.8Visit
Obsidian Second Brain
Persistent memory for Claude Code and six other CLI agents, stored as plain markdown in your Obsidian vault.
AI ToolFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
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