Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Simplenote VS Google Tasks

Compare Simplenote VS Google Tasks and see what are their differences

Simplenote logo Simplenote

The simplest way to keep notes. Light, clean, and free. Simplenote is now available for iOS, Android, Mac, and the web.

Google Tasks logo Google Tasks

to-do list app that integrates with Gmail and Google Calendar
  • Simplenote Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-15
  • Google Tasks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21

Simplenote features and specs

  • 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 of Simplenote

  • 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.

Google Tasks features and specs

  • Integration with Google Services
    Google Tasks integrates seamlessly with other Google services such as Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Assistant. This allows users to easily manage tasks across different Google platforms without needing to switch apps.
  • Simplicity
    Google Tasks offers a straightforward, uncluttered interface. It is easy to use for keeping track of basic to-do lists and tasks, which is great for users who don't need a lot of complex features.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Google Tasks is available on multiple platforms, including web, Android, and iOS. This ensures that users can access and manage their tasks from any device.
  • Subtask Support
    Google Tasks allows users to create subtasks, providing a way to break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
  • Free to Use
    Google Tasks is free to use. There are no subscription fees, which makes it an attractive option for users seeking a cost-effective task management solution.

Possible disadvantages of Google Tasks

  • Limited Features
    Google Tasks lacks advanced features that are available in other task management apps, such as tags/labels, project management tools, and time tracking.
  • No Collaboration Tools
    Google Tasks does not offer collaboration features, making it unsuitable for team projects or shared task management.
  • Basic Notifications
    The app provides only basic notification options. Advanced reminders and custom notification settings are not available.
  • No Offline Access
    Google Tasks requires an internet connection to access. Users cannot manage their tasks offline, which can be inconvenient in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Limited Integration with Third-Party Apps
    Unlike some other task management tools, Google Tasks has limited integration with third-party applications, which may restrict users who rely on other productivity tools.

Analysis of Simplenote

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.

Analysis of Google Tasks

Overall verdict

  • Google Tasks is a solid choice for users looking for a straightforward and unobtrusive task management tool. However, its simplicity might limit power users or those seeking more advanced features, and enhancements available in other dedicated project management tools.

Why this product is good

  • Google Tasks is integrated with other Google services like Gmail and Google Calendar, making it convenient for users who are already within the Google ecosystem. It offers a simple, minimalistic interface that is enough for personal task management and allows for seamless synchronization across devices. Basic features like subtasks and due dates can help users stay organized without being overwhelmed by complex features.

Recommended for

    Users who are integrated into the Google ecosystem and need a simple, no-frills task management tool. Ideal for individuals or small teams who require basic task organization without advanced project management features.

Simplenote videos

Simplenote Review

More videos:

  • Review - Simplenote: Note-taking Web/Mobile App | Review

Google Tasks videos

Google Tasks Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Use Google Tasks (Desktop & App Tutorial)
  • Review - Top 5 Google Tasks Tips You Should Use Right Now! (2019)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Simplenote and Google Tasks)
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Task Management
56 56%
44% 44
Project Management
39 39%
61% 61
Todos
55 55%
45% 45

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Simplenote and Google Tasks

Simplenote Reviews

  1. Exceptional for what its doing

    Was looking for an alternative for OneNote, so I found it here. I like how simple the interface is and the UI is very simple. It's good for what it is, but there is no sorting/topic system which makes it difficult to find specific notes for specific topics. Other than that, it's a good note system.

    🏁 Competitors: OneNote, Evernote
    👍 Pros:    Lots of functionalities|Easy user interface|Easy to use|Simple
    👎 Cons:    No groups for notes|No sorting notes

11 Best Google Keeps Alternatives for 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.
Source: upbase.io
20 Obsidian Alternatives: Top Note-Taking Tools to Consider
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.
Source: clickup.com
The best note-taking apps for collecting your thoughts and data
Simplenote is a text-only app that offers straightforward note-taking for anyone who just wants to, well, take notes.
10 Best Open Source Note-Taking Apps for Linux
Second, on the list is Simplenote. As the name implies, it is a simple if not the simplest way to keep all your notes on Linux systems, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android as well as a web browser. It is free, open-source, supports tags, and sharable to-do lists, and comes with mark-down support. It syncs all your notes across devices and allows you to publish notes online.
Source: www.tecmint.com
15 Best Notability Alternatives 2022
With the tag function, you can organize your notes so they are easier and faster to find when you need them. All of Simplenote’s features are completely accessible to anyone and are free to use, whereas you will have to get a subscription to unlock all of Notability’s features such as unlimited editing, automatic backups, iCloud syncs, and more.

Google Tasks Reviews

11 Ayanza Alternatives
Google Tasks- an app that assists you to manage, capturing, and editing your work from anywhere and at any time. You can sync your calendar across all of your devices and connect it to Gmail and Google Calendar. You may access, edit, and manage tasks from any device to learn how developers get and distribute your data. Moreover, You can improve the Google Projects user...
Top 8 cloud-based ‘to-do’ apps to stay ahead in 2021
Google Tasks lets you take control of your task management and start managing your to-do list on the go. You can manage, capture, and edit your tasks from anywhere, at any time, with to-dos that sync across all your devices. Integrations with Gmail and Google Calendar help you get tasks done faster. Google Tasks is completely free to download from the Google Play Store and...
Source: clariti.app

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Simplenote seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 83 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Simplenote mentions (83)

  • 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 landed on Obsidian.md. I actually prefer Simplenote over Obisidian, because Simplenote feels smoother and the online web app is great, but I've decided that having more control... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months 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 (as in beer and speech) --- If I used MacOS or there were web versions, I would love to use the following (they are all better at plaintext than SimpleNote): -... - Source: Hacker News / 10 months 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 using https://simplenote.com I have also used https://www.bkmks.com to save links. I'm working on an app that will help save and organize everything: bookmarks, notes, and tasks. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Ask HN: Looking for a simple note taking tool
    It doesn't meet the poster's needs, but Simplenote is still a thing for people who want text-only notes, Markdown, and easy access to plain text files. It got acquired by Automattic a few years back. https://simplenote.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Show HN: I built a note-taking app integrated with calendar and to-do list
    Https://noteplan.co is a very similar app. Unfortunately I couldn't use it because it was limited to iOS devices (a web version is in development). - One thing missing in craftnote is search. That is a must-have feature for me. - I also like being able to publicly share notes with a (short) URL. See https://simplenote.com for an example of how this is done. Nice job with allowing your app to be usable without... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
View more

Google Tasks mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Google Tasks yet. Tracking of Google Tasks recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Simplenote and Google Tasks, you can also consider the following products

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.

Todoist - Todoist is a to-do list that helps you get organized, at work and in life.

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.

Trello - Infinitely flexible. Incredibly easy to use. Great mobile apps. It's free. Trello keeps track of everything, from the big picture to the minute details.

Google Keep - Capture notes, share them with others, and access them from your computer, phone or tablet. Free with a Google account.

Remember The Milk - Remember The Milk is a task and time management application for mobile devices.