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Head-to-head · Notes Apps

Joplin vs Simplenote

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Joplin #4 in Notes Apps 9.0/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Joplin
Simplenote #7 in Notes Apps 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Simplenote

Joplin leads on 0 checks, Simplenote on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreJoplin · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Joplin

Joplin scores higher on our rubric for notes apps: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

Joplin is the better fit for open-source users wanting offline-first notes. Simplenote is the better fit for people who want straightforward free notes everywhere.

  • Joplin fits best

    Open-source users wanting offline-first notes

  • Simplenote fits best

    People who want straightforward free notes everywhere

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Joplin 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Simplenote 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #4 in Notes Apps #7 in Notes Apps
Best for Open-source users wanting offline-first notes People who want straightforward free notes everywhere
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price €2.99/mo None
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Joplin 1/4 · Simplenote 1/4
Offline access ✓ ✓
Markdown support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Web clipper Not checked yet Not checked yet
Shared collaboration Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Sync model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Stores notes locally and supports offline access, Markdown, and full-text search.
  • Works across desktop, mobile, web, and browser extension platforms.
  • Supports plugins, web clipping, attachments, and multiple sync services.
  • Syncs notes across web, desktop and mobile platforms
  • Native apps support offline editing, Markdown and checklists
  • Includes sharing, note history, publishing and import/export
Cons
  • Cloud collaboration and publishing require a paid Joplin Cloud plan.
  • Basic limits notes and attachments to 10 MB each.
  • Teams pricing is per user, with storage shared at the plan level.
  • Automattic says development is maintenance-only
  • No integrations are specified
  • Support channels are limited to community and documentation
Our verdict

Joplin is an open-source notes and to-do app for people who want local, offline access and control over how notes sync. Notes use Markdown and can be organized with notebooks and tags, searched in full text, and expanded with attachments…

Read the review →

Simplenote is a free note-taking app for people who want straightforward notes available across web, desktop and mobile. Its apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, alongside the web app. The core toolkit includes plain-text and…

Read the review →
  1. JoplinNotes Apps 9.0Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. SimplenoteNotes Apps 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Joplin — where it wins

    • Stores notes locally and supports offline access, Markdown, and full-text search.
    • Works across desktop, mobile, web, and browser extension platforms.
    • Supports plugins, web clipping, attachments, and multiple sync services.

    Where it doesn't

    • Cloud collaboration and publishing require a paid Joplin Cloud plan.
    • Basic limits notes and attachments to 10 MB each.
    • Teams pricing is per user, with storage shared at the plan level.

  • Simplenote — where it wins

    • Syncs notes across web, desktop and mobile platforms
    • Native apps support offline editing, Markdown and checklists
    • Includes sharing, note history, publishing and import/export

    Where it doesn't

    • Automattic says development is maintenance-only
    • No integrations are specified
    • Support channels are limited to community and documentation
  • Joplin9.0/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A flexible Markdown notes app for local-first work, with paid cloud collaboration when needed.

    Visit JoplinFull verdict →
  • Simplenote8.7/10 · Free plan

    A straightforward, free notes app with offline access and Markdown across platforms.

    Visit SimplenoteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All notes apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update