Simplenote review

Simplenote does one thing: fast plain text notes that sync everywhere. Automattic provides it as a free service, and its help pages document a desktop app for Windows, Linux and macOS alongside web, Android and iOS apps. Notes sync automatically as soon as you open the app on another device. The Windows app supports Markdown, printing, sorting by date or title, import and export, and keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl Shift I for a new note and Ctrl Shift S to search. You can also publish a note to the web as a view-only link. The limits are strict. You cannot upload or attach anything other than text, the Windows app is not localized, and there are no notebooks in the OneNote sense, no pen tools and no databases. As a free scratchpad for lists, snippets and drafts on a Windows PC, it is hard to beat.

Who it is for

People who want quick plain text notes at no cost

Price

Free.

Simplenote is a free service provided by your friends at Automattic
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Desktop app for Windows, Linux and macOS
• Automatic sync across web, desktop and mobile apps
• Markdown support on the Windows app
• Publish a note to the web as a view-only link
• Import and export notes from the desktop app

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Completely free
• Strength: Keyboard shortcuts on the Windows app, such as Ctrl Shift I for a new note
• Strength: Very little to learn
• Weakness: You cannot attach images or files to a note, only text
• Weakness: Not localized on Windows
• Weakness: No pen, database or task features

Key facts

• Price: Free
• Developer: Automattic
• Attachments: Text only

Where it ranks

Simplenote is No. 10 in our Best Note-Taking Apps for Windows verdict.