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Simplenote vs GoodNotes Comparison

Last updated:

Simplenote

3.9(25 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Individuals
  • Freelancers / Consultants

Simplenote is the easiest way to keep notes, lists, ideas and more. It's available on computers, phones and tablets.It's available wherever you are, so you can capture fleeting thoughts or write down your next big idea.…

GoodNotes

Starting at $7.99

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

GoodNotes is the perfect app for taking hand-written notes on your iPad or iPhone. Our team created it to free users from the hassle of taking clear, legible, and reusable notes. It's helped millions of people, and Apple…

Simplenote leads on user satisfaction with a 3.9-star rating across 25 reviews.

Simplenote vs GoodNotes — at a glance

FeatureSimplenoteGoodNotes
Rating3.9 / 5
Reviews25
Starting priceContact for pricing$7.99
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forIndividuals, Freelancers / Consultants, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryNote Taking SoftwareNote Taking Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacMobile - iOS, Installed - Mac
APIAvailable
Support modesOnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPR
Data residencyGlobalUS

Key differences between Simplenote and GoodNotes

  • Pricing: GoodNotes starts at $7.99. Simplenote pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Target audience: Simplenote is built for Individuals and Freelancers / Consultants, while GoodNotes targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • Deployment: Simplenote supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; GoodNotes supports Mobile - iOS, Installed - Mac.

Simplenote vs GoodNotes — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Note Taking Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Simplenote - Note Taking Software
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GoodNotes - Note Taking Software
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Talk to an expert

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Simplenote

Best for simple, distraction-free note-taking with seamless cross-device syncing.

Choose if
  • You need a lightweight app for quick note capture and idea jotting.
  • You want effortless syncing of notes across multiple devices and platforms.
  • You prefer a minimalistic interface that reduces distractions and enhances focus.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require advanced note organization, rich text formatting, or media embedding.
  • You need fast performance without slow startup or update delays.

GoodNotes

Best for handwritten note-taking on iPad and iPhone with smooth, customizable writing.

Choose if
  • You need an intuitive app optimized for handwritten notes and handwriting recognition.
  • You are a student, educator, or creative professional focused on personal productivity.
  • You want a simple, streamlined setup without complex integrations or collaboration needs.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your team requires advanced collaboration and workflow automation features.
  • You need extensive integrations with other enterprise software and app connectors.

Simplenote: Best for simple, distraction-free note-taking with seamless cross-device syncing. GoodNotes: Best for handwritten note-taking on iPad and iPhone with smooth, customizable writing.

Description

Simplenote is the easiest way to keep notes, lists, ideas and more. It's available on computers, phones and tablets.It's available wherever you are, so you can capture fleeting thoughts or ... Read More about Simplenote

GoodNotes is the perfect app for taking hand-written notes on your iPad or iPhone. Our team created it to free users from the hassle of taking clear, legible, and reusable notes. It's ... Read More about GoodNotes

Entry Level Pricing

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $7.99

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

8.7/10

8.4/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

3.9

(25)

Best Company Size

1-50 employees51-200 employees
Small BusinessMedium Business
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Software Demo

Demo

No software demo available

Simplenote has not given any software demo yet

If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

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Step 1 of 4

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How do Simplenote and GoodNotes Compare on Features?

Total Features

4 Features

4 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Get Quote

Compare Simplenote and GoodNotes on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • Not Available
      • $7.99

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Pricing information not available

      GoodNotes pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✗ No

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✗ No

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✗ No

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🇺🇸 US

      Simplenote User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      No reviews available for the product

      Rating Distribution

      10

      7

      1

      2

      0

      34

      2

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users appreciate Simplenote's ease of use and seamless syncing but express frustration over limited features and occasional performance slowdowns.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Cross-platform syncing
      • Minimalistic design

      Common complaints

      • Lack of advanced features
      • Performance issues

      Buyer sentiment

      Users consistently praise GoodNotes for its intuitive interface and excellent handwriting features, though some find the feature set overwhelming and desire more integrations.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Handwriting recognition
      • Writing smoothness and customization

      Common complaints

      • Limited integrations
      • Complexity for new users

      Pros and Cons

      • User-friendly interface ideal for quick note-taking and collaboration

      • Cross-platform support with seamless syncing across devices

      • Minimalistic design that reduces distractions and enhances focus

      • Lacks advanced features like template customization and reminders

      • Limited organizational capabilities, especially without multiple notebooks

      • User-friendly interface accessible to all ages and experience levels

      • Excellent handwriting recognition and search capabilities

      • Smooth writing experience with extensive customization options

      • Limited marketplace for additional apps and connectors restricts advanced functionality

      • Feature richness can be overwhelming without sufficient guidance

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Reminders

      1 Screenshots

      Overview

      2 Screenshots

      Videos

      No videos available.

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Simplenote and GoodNotes in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Simplenote or GoodNotes?
      Simplenote edges out the other on user ratings (3.9 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Simplenote and GoodNotes offer a free trial?
      Neither Simplenote nor GoodNotes currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Simplenote vs GoodNotes?
      Simplenote starts at Contact for pricing. GoodNotes starts at $7.99.
      What are the top alternatives to Simplenote?
      Top alternatives to Simplenote include Evernote, Notes.io, Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, UpNote.
      What are the top alternatives to GoodNotes?
      Top alternatives to GoodNotes include Evernote, Notes.io, Microsoft OneNote, UpNote, Notability.

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