In 2008, a software startup called Simperium released the first version of Simplenote (opens in new tab)an application for taking notes (opens in new tab) easy for users. A year later, it released a premium version of the app that removed ads and added extra features like syncing notes to the Dropbox storage app.
In 2013, Automattic, a well-known software company, bought Simperium and its flagship app, Simplenote. Automattic is best known as the developer of WordPress, the popular content management system (CMS) that powers over 40% of all websites.
After purchasing Simplenote, Automattic released Android and Linux versions of the app and also suspended the premium version, making it free for everyone. In 2016, the company released the source code for the Simplenote client apps, making it open source (opens in new tab) and very customizable.
Simplenote plans and pricing
The best thing about the Simlenote app is that it is completely free. Most note-taking apps are freemium and require payment to access advanced features. In contrast, anyone can access all of Simplenote’s features immediately after signing up.
Simplenote: functions
Signing up for Simplenote is easy. To do this, visit the official website or download the app on your mobile device (iOS or Android) or PC (Windows, macOS or Linux). All you need is a valid email (opens in new tab)which you must verify before creating an account.
You can access your Simplenote dashboard immediately after completing the sign-up process. You should notice that the dashboard is minimal and uncluttered. The first feature to note is create notes. There is a new note Icon resembling a book and pen. Click on it and a new note will open for you to type.
The text editor on Simplenote is simply a bug. It only supports bland text without any formatting, which we consider a disadvantage. Many people like to format the text on their digital notebooks for aesthetic reasons, but this isn’t possible with the app. On the plus side, this feature can be a plus for people who appreciate simple things. With such a text editor, it is very easy to concentrate on writing notes and not get distracted.
The only feature similar to formatting is the ability Add checklists to each note and mark it when you’re done. This feature makes it easier for users to create and manage to-do lists (opens in new tab).
One great feature that caught our eye in the app is the option publish notes. After you type a note, you can post it online and get a link for it. Enter this link in a browser (opens in new tab), and you’ll see your note as a web page. With this feature, users can access their notes anywhere or share them with other people. You don’t always have to log into the Simplenote app to review your notes when you can do it online.
Another notable feature that Simplenote offers is collaboration (opens in new tab). You can invite other users (via their email address) to view or edit your notes. There is no limit to the number of people you can do this with.
Simplenote: interface and use
Ease of use is one of Simplenote’s strengths. As previously mentioned, the app is simply buggy. Its interface resembles a hard copy notebook, minimal and uncluttered but with unlimited space. Every digital layperson should be able to find their way around the app without any problems.
Simplenote: support
If you encounter problems with Simplenote, you can contact a special support email and wait for a response from the company’s employees. Keep in mind that this is a free app, so support is not guaranteed, but rather a favor for customers.
There is also an official help page on the Simplenote website. This page contains user guides and answers to frequently asked questions about the app. It should be the first port of call if you need help before opting for email support if you can’t find satisfactory answers there.
Simplenote: The competition
Simplenote’s main competitors include Notion and Evernote (opens in new tab), and Ulysses. Simplenote’s main advantage over these competitors is that it’s free to use. But it lacks the advanced features you’ll find on these competitors, such as B. Text formatting and grammar checking.
Simplenote: Final Verdict
We think Simplenote is a very good note-taking app. It’s free to use, so you don’t have to worry about paying. It also has one of the most user-friendly interfaces you can find in a note-taking app. The main downside is that it lacks many advanced features that you often find in competing apps.
We have featured the best note taking apps for Android.