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Head-to-head · Notes Apps

Notion vs Simplenote

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Notion #3 in Notes Apps 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Notion
Simplenote #7 in Notes Apps 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Automattic says development is maintenance-only
  • No integrations are specified
  • Support channels are limited to community and documentation
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 →
  1. NotionNotes Apps 9.1Free plan
  2. SimplenoteNotes Apps 8.7Free plan

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

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update