Head-to-head · Notes Apps
Notion vs Simplenote
Notion 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 scoreNotion · 9.1/10
- Free planboth
Notion scores higher on our rubric for notes apps: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.
Notion is the better fit for teams building collaborative notes and knowledge bases. Simplenote is the better fit for people who want straightforward free notes everywhere.
- Notion fits best
Teams building collaborative notes and knowledge bases
- 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 | Notion 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | Simplenote 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #3 in Notes Apps | #7 in Notes Apps |
| Best for | Teams building collaborative notes and knowledge bases | People who want straightforward free notes everywhere |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Starting price | $10/user/mo | None |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business |
| Features Notion 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 |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Our verdict | Notion brings notes, documents, wikis, databases, and project pages into a shared workspace. Individuals can organize information in linked pages and databases, while teams can collaborate on pages and share them. Its mix of knowledge… 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 → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Notion — where it wins
- Combines rich-text notes, wikis, and databases with multiple views
- Supports real-time collaboration, sharing, and offline editing in supported apps
- Connects with Slack, Google Drive, Figma, GitHub, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams
Where it doesn't
- Its broad workspace scope may exceed the needs of simple note-taking
- Plus starts at $10 per user monthly with annual billing
- Advanced permissions and administration are reserved for higher-tier plans
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
- Notion9.1/10 · Free plan
A flexible workspace for shared knowledge, with a free plan and paid collaboration features.
Visit NotionFull verdict → - Simplenote8.7/10 · Free plan
A straightforward, free notes app with offline access and Markdown across platforms.
Visit SimplenoteFull verdict →
More comparisons
- Evernote vs Simplenote
- Google Keep vs Notion
- Google Keep vs Simplenote
- Notion vs Zoho Notebook
- Notion vs Obsidian
- Notion vs Logseq
- Joplin vs Simplenote
- Zoho Notebook vs Simplenote
All notes apps comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update







