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Simplenote vs Microsoft OneNote 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.…

Microsoft OneNote

4.2(2,454 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Microsoft One note - The Microsoft onenote is a powerful notetaking software for online collaboration. Users can always capture inspiration and organize thoughts with onenote, supported by a large selection of apps for m…

Microsoft OneNote leads on user satisfaction with a 4.2-star rating across 2,454 reviews.

Simplenote vs Microsoft OneNote — at a glance

FeatureSimplenoteMicrosoft OneNote
Rating3.9 / 54.2 / 5
Reviews252,454
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial No Yes
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 - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
APIAvailable
Support modesOnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPRSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between Simplenote and Microsoft OneNote

  • Free trial: Microsoft OneNote offers a free trial; Simplenote does not.
  • Target audience: Simplenote is built for Individuals and Freelancers / Consultants, while Microsoft OneNote targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: Microsoft OneNote scores higher with a 4.2-star average.
  • Deployment: Simplenote supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Microsoft OneNote supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Simplenote vs Microsoft OneNote — 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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Microsoft OneNote - Note Taking Software
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Talk to an expert

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.

Microsoft OneNote

Best for collaborative teams needing seamless Microsoft Office integration.

Choose if
  • You require real-time collaboration with shared notebooks across devices.
  • Your team uses Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 tools extensively.
  • You need flexible organization of diverse data types and media.
Consider alternatives if
  • You need advanced note-taking features and extensive customization options.
  • Your team depends on robust third-party integrations outside the Microsoft ecosystem.

Simplenote: Best for simple, distraction-free note-taking with seamless cross-device syncing. Microsoft OneNote: Best for collaborative teams needing seamless Microsoft Office integration.

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

Microsoft One note - The Microsoft onenote is a powerful notetaking software for online collaboration. Users can always capture inspiration and organize thoughts with onenote, supported by ... Read More about Microsoft OneNote

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

8.7/10

8.6/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

3.9

(25)

Best Company Size

1-50 employees51-200 employees
Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
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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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How do Simplenote and Microsoft OneNote Compare on Features?

Total Features

4 Features

5 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare Simplenote and Microsoft OneNote 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

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Pricing information not available

      Microsoft OneNote 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.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✓ Yes

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✗ No
      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✗ No
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✗ No
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🌐 Global

      Simplenote User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      10

      7

      1

      2

      0

      1288

      421

      83

      26

      12

      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 generally appreciate OneNote’s integration and collaboration features but note limitations in advanced functionality and customization.

      What buyers like

      • Integration with Microsoft Office
      • Collaboration and real-time editing
      • Ease of note organization

      Common complaints

      • Limited advanced features
      • Formatting and customization difficulties

      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

      • Seamless integration with Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 tools

      • Real-time collaboration through shared notebooks

      • Versatile organization of various data types and media

      • Inconsistent advanced functionality across platforms

      • Challenging formatting and customization for new users

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Reminders

      1 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      No videos available.

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Simplenote and Microsoft OneNote 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 Microsoft OneNote?
      Microsoft OneNote edges out the other on user ratings (4.2 vs 3.9). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Simplenote and Microsoft OneNote offer a free trial?
      Microsoft OneNote offers a free trial. Simplenote does not.
      What is the starting price of Simplenote vs Microsoft OneNote?
      Simplenote starts at Contact for pricing. Microsoft OneNote starts at Contact for pricing.
      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 Microsoft OneNote?
      Top alternatives to Microsoft OneNote include Evernote, Zoho Notebook, Amanote, Notes.io, Google Keep.

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