Simplenote VS Big Timer

Compare Simplenote VS Big Timer and see what are their differences

Rating: 3.5 · 2 reviews
Pricing: Open source

Rating: 0 reviews

PrivacyNotes

Zero-knowledge encrypted notes, tasks, journals, files, and passwords in one app. Your keys never leave your device. One-time price, no subscription. Hosted in Switzerland. sponsored

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Simplenote seems to be a lot more popular than Big Timer. While we know about 83 links to Simplenote, we've tracked only 1 mention of Big Timer.

social mentions: 83 vs 1
Note Taking popularity: 100% vs 0%
alternatives listed: 240+ vs 21

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

	Simplenote	Big Timer
Website	simplenote.com	bigtimer.net
Pricing	Open source	—
Company	Startup from the United States	—
Listed in	Note Taking Task Management Project Management Personal Notes +1	Time Tracking Online Services Alarm Clock Countdown +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Simplenote 6 features

Big Timer 0 features

Ease of Use
Simplenote offers a very straightforward and minimalistic interface, making it easy for new users to pick up and start using immediately.
Free of Cost
Simplenote is completely free to use, which makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious users.
Real-time Sync
Notes are automatically synchronized across all devices in real-time, providing a seamless experience across multiple platforms.
Multi-platform Support
Simplenote is available on various platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and through a web browser.
Version History
Simplenote provides version history for notes, allowing users to revert to previous versions if needed.
Markdown Support
Simplenote supports Markdown, enabling users to format their notes with ease.

Possible disadvantages

Limited Features
Simplenote’s minimalist approach means it lacks some advanced features found in other note-taking apps, such as rich-text formatting, attachments, and integrations.
No Offline Access
Although notes sync seamlessly online, Simplenote has limited functionality without an internet connection, especially on the web version.
Security Concerns
Simplenote does not offer end-to-end encryption, which may be a concern for users who prioritize security and privacy.
No Task Management
Simplenote is focused solely on note-taking and lacks built-in task management features such as to-do lists and reminders.
Limited Customization
Users have limited options for customizing the appearance and organization of their notes.

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Simplenote

Big Timer

Overall verdict

Simplenote is a great choice for anyone looking for a straightforward and efficient note-taking app. Its minimalistic design and cross-platform availability make it particularly appealing to users who prioritize functionality over complex features. However, it may not be suitable for those who require extensive formatting options or integration with other productivity tools.

Why this product is good

Simplenote is highly regarded for its simplicity and ease of use. It offers a clean user interface that allows users to quickly jot down notes without any distractions. The app is available across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux, with seamless sync across devices. It also supports features like note sharing, version history, and markdown support, making it versatile for both personal and professional use.

Recommended for

Individuals who prefer a minimalistic and distraction-free note-taking experience.
Users in need of a lightweight app for quick notes and lists.
People who want a note-taking app with cross-platform compatibility and seamless syncing.

Overall verdict

Big Timer (bigtimer.net) is a simple, free, and effective full-screen countdown timer that works great for presentations, classrooms, and meetings without requiring any downloads or sign-ups.

Why this product is good

It's completely free to use with no registration required
Features large, easy-to-read full-screen displays visible from across a room
Works directly in the browser on any device without installation
Simple and intuitive interface with quick preset time options
Great for keeping presentations, activities, and meetings on schedule

Recommended for

Teachers and educators managing classroom activities and timed tasks
Presenters and public speakers who need a visible countdown
Meeting facilitators keeping discussions on track
Workshop and event organizers timing sessions
Anyone needing a large, no-fuss timer for group settings

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Simplenote 2 videos + Add

Big Timer 2 videos + Add

Simplenote Review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100

Simplenote

Big Timer

100% 100%

0% 0%

100% 100%

0% 0%

100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Simplenote and Big Timer. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Simplenote 3.5 · 2 reviews

Big Timer no reviews yet

Basic
SaaSHub review

· Jul 2026

I've started with Simplenote years ago, at the time I was happy but it became clear pretty quickly that it was too basic. But to be fair, it's basic and free. Keep in mind it's unencrypted.
11 Best Google Keeps Alternatives for 2024
upbase.io · Apr 2024

While SimpleNote is completely free to use, it offers a subscription option called Simplenote Sustainer for those who want to support the app. Sustainer costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year.
20 Obsidian Alternatives: Top Note-Taking Tools to Consider
clickup.com · Feb 2024

Simplenote is an excellent alternative to Obsidian thanks to its simplicity and clutter-free interface. It also features powerful syncing functionality to help you access your notes anytime.

We have no reviews of Big Timer yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Simplenote 83 mentions

Big Timer 1 mention

Ask HN: What will the WordPress meltdown mean for Automattic's other products?
I've been looking to migrate away from https://simplenote.com to something else and I've been dragging my feet. However, what's happened in the past 2 weeks with the CEO was the push I needed to resume looking for another solution. I've... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
Ask HN: What note taking app do you use and why?
I use https://simplenote.com - Syncs across multiple platforms. - Plaintext based (with MD support). - Search + edit UI similar to https://notational.net and https://brettterpstra.com/projects/nvalt - Simple to publish/share notes - Free... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
Anybody have problems with bookmark organization like me?
Bookmarks serve two purposes: - Quick access to commonly used links. For this, I built https://multi-launch.leftium.com - Saving a link for future reference. Often I want to also save plain text notes for future reference, so find myself... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago

Don’t use alarms, use countdowns!
I use bigtimer.net for this. It shows a really big full screen timer. I put it on my large TV that's right in my face and unmissable. Source: about 5 years ago

Alternatives to Simplenote and Big Timer

When comparing Simplenote and Big Timer, you can also consider the following products.

Evernote
Bring your life's work together in one digital workspace. Evernote is the place to collect inspirational ideas, write meaningful words, and move your important projects forward.

Compare Evernote to Simplenote or Big Timer:

Evernote vs Simplenote Evernote vs Big Timer
X Minute Timer
Set timer for minutes - 5 minute timer, 10 minute timer, 15 minute timer, etc. Boost productivity with our simple, elegant minute timer for work, study, and focus sessions.

Compare X Minute Timer to Simplenote or Big Timer:

X Minute Timer vs Simplenote X Minute Timer vs Big Timer
OneNote
Get the OneNote app for free on your tablet, phone, and computer, so you can capture your ideas and to-do lists in one place wherever you are. Or try OneNote with Office for free.

Compare OneNote to Simplenote or Big Timer:

OneNote vs Simplenote OneNote vs Big Timer
tickward
Open-source countdown timers that keep important dates in sight.

Compare tickward to Simplenote or Big Timer:

tickward vs Simplenote tickward vs Big Timer
Google Keep
Capture notes, share them with others, and access them from your computer, phone or tablet. Free with a Google account.

Compare Google Keep to Simplenote or Big Timer:

Google Keep vs Simplenote Google Keep vs Big Timer
TickCounter
Create a countdown timer and put it on your website in 30 seconds. For free. Works great with Canva, Wordpress, Shopify, Wix and many others.

Compare TickCounter to Simplenote or Big Timer:

TickCounter vs Simplenote TickCounter vs Big Timer