Simplenote

What is Simplenote?

Simplenote is a minimalist note-taking application developed by Automattic, the company behind WordPress. True to its name, Simplenote focuses on simplicity above all else, providing a clean, distraction-free environment for capturing and organizing thoughts, ideas, and information across all your devices.

What distinguishes Simplenote from other note-taking apps is its commitment to the core experience of writing. Without the feature bloat that characterizes many modern productivity apps, Simplenote offers instant sync across unlimited devices, powerful search, version history, and collaboration—all completely free. The result is a lightweight yet capable tool that excels at what matters most: capturing your thoughts quickly and keeping them accessible everywhere.

Key Features

• Instant Sync: Notes sync automatically across all devices in real-time
• Cross-Platform: Available on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, and web
• Markdown Support: Write and preview Markdown-formatted notes
• Tags: Organize notes with tags instead of folders
• Powerful Search: Instantly search across all notes
• Version History: Access and restore previous versions of any note
• Collaboration: Share notes and collaborate with others in real-time
• Pin Notes: Keep important notes at the top of your list
• Publish Notes: Share notes publicly via web link
• Completely Free: All features available without payment

What’s New

Simplenote continues to refine its focused approach:

• Performance Improvements: Faster sync and app loading times
• Updated Interface: Refined design while maintaining simplicity
• Enhanced Markdown: Improved Markdown preview and editing
• Better Search: More accurate and faster search results
• Accessibility: Improved screen reader support and accessibility features
• Dark Mode: Enhanced dark theme across all platforms
• Keyboard Shortcuts: More comprehensive keyboard navigation
• Export Options: Better data export functionality

System Requirements

Web Browser

• Modern browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
• JavaScript enabled
• Internet connection for sync

iOS

• iOS 13.0 or later
• iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
• 20 MB storage

Android

• Android 6.0 or later
• 20 MB storage

macOS

• macOS 10.13 or later
• Intel or Apple Silicon
• 50 MB storage

Windows

• Windows 10 or later
• 50 MB storage

Linux

• Ubuntu 18.04+ or equivalent
• Snap, AppImage, or DEB package
• 50 MB storage

How to Install Simplenote

Web Access

1. Open your browser
2. Navigate to app.simplenote.com
3. Create account or sign in
4. Start taking notes immediately

# Access Simplenote web app
open https://app.simplenote.com

# Notes sync automatically once signed in

macOS Installation

1. Visit simplenote.com
2. Download macOS version
3. Open DMG and drag to Applications
4. Launch and sign in

# Using Homebrew
brew install --cask simplenote

# Launch Simplenote
open -a Simplenote

Windows Installation

1. Visit simplenote.com
2. Download Windows installer
3. Run installer and follow prompts
4. Launch and sign in to sync

# Using winget
winget install Automattic.Simplenote

# Or via Microsoft Store
# Search "Simplenote" in Microsoft Store

Linux Installation

# Using Snap
sudo snap install simplenote

# Using AppImage
wget https://github.com/Automattic/simplenote-electron/releases/latest/download/Simplenote-linux.AppImage
chmod +x Simplenote-linux.AppImage
./Simplenote-linux.AppImage

# Debian/Ubuntu
wget https://github.com/Automattic/simplenote-electron/releases/latest/download/Simplenote-linux.deb
sudo dpkg -i Simplenote-linux.deb

Mobile Installation

1. Open App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android)
2. Search “Simplenote”
3. Install free app
4. Sign in to sync notes

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Completely Free: All features included at no cost
• True Cross-Platform: Works on every major platform including Linux
• Instant Sync: Seamless, automatic synchronization
• Fast and Lightweight: Minimal resource usage
• Version History: Never lose previous versions of notes
• Clean Interface: Distraction-free writing environment
• Markdown Support: Format text with Markdown syntax

Cons

• Text Only: No support for images, attachments, or rich media
• Basic Organization: Only tags available, no folders or notebooks
• No Offline Web: Web version requires internet connection
• Limited Formatting: Only Markdown, no WYSIWYG editor
• No Encryption: Notes not end-to-end encrypted
• Minimal Features: Lacks advanced features of competitors

Simplenote vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Simplenote?

Simplenote is ideal for:

• Writers: Those who prefer distraction-free text environments
• Developers: Users who appreciate Markdown and cross-platform availability
• Minimalists: Those who want simple, fast note-taking
• Linux Users: One of few quality note apps with Linux support
• Budget Users: Those wanting full-featured free note-taking
• Multi-Device Users: Anyone using multiple platforms daily

Simplenote may not be ideal for:

• Visual Note-Takers: Those needing images, drawings, or attachments
• Complex Organization: Users requiring folders and hierarchies
• Rich Formatting: Those wanting WYSIWYG or complex layouts
• Privacy Focused: Those requiring end-to-end encryption

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Simplenote really free?

Yes, Simplenote is completely free with no premium tiers or paid features. All functionality including sync, version history, collaboration, and publishing is available to all users. The service is maintained by Automattic, which also runs WordPress.com, and operates Simplenote as part of their open-source commitment.

How secure are my notes in Simplenote?

Simplenote uses HTTPS for data transmission and stores notes encrypted at rest on their servers. However, notes are not end-to-end encrypted, meaning Automattic could technically access them. For sensitive information requiring maximum security, consider alternatives like Standard Notes that offer end-to-end encryption.

Can I use Simplenote offline?

The desktop and mobile apps work offline and sync when connection is restored. Notes are stored locally on your device. However, the web version requires an internet connection. For reliable offline access, install the desktop or mobile apps rather than relying on the web interface.

How does version history work?

Simplenote automatically saves previous versions of your notes as you edit. Use the History slider in any note to see and restore older versions. This works like a timeline, showing how your note evolved. There’s no limit to how far back you can go, making it impossible to permanently lose content by accident.

Can I export my notes from Simplenote?

Yes, you can export all notes from the web app or desktop versions. Go to Settings and find the export option to download all notes as a JSON file or plain text files. This makes it easy to migrate to another service or maintain backups of your content outside Simplenote.

Final Verdict

Simplenote delivers exactly what its name promises: a simple, elegant note-taking experience. In an era of feature-bloated productivity apps, Simplenote’s restraint is its greatest strength. The app does one thing exceptionally well—capturing and syncing text notes—without trying to be everything to everyone.

The truly cross-platform nature, including Linux support, makes it invaluable for users who work across different operating systems. The instant sync is remarkably reliable, and the version history provides peace of mind that your work is never lost. All of this comes at no cost, making it an easy recommendation.

While power users requiring rich media, complex organization, or advanced security features should look elsewhere, Simplenote excels for anyone who values fast, frictionless note-taking. For writers, developers, and anyone who thinks in text, Simplenote provides the ideal canvas—simple, reliable, and wonderfully distraction-free.