Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Simplenote VS HacknPlan

Compare Simplenote VS HacknPlan 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.

HacknPlan logo HacknPlan

HacknPlan is a design documentation and project management tool for game development.
  • Simplenote Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-15
  • HacknPlan Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-15

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
    Simplenoteโ€™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.

HacknPlan features and specs

  • Specialized for Game Development
    HacknPlan is specifically designed for game development, offering features that align well with typical game design workflows, such as design documentation and asset management.
  • Integrated Design Documentation
    The platform allows you to integrate your game design documentation directly into your project management workflow, keeping all relevant information in one place.
  • Task Categorization with Boards
    HacknPlan offers a system of boards and categories tailored to game development which makes it easier to manage tasks related to different components like art, audio, and gameplay.
  • Cost-effective
    With its free tier and affordable premium plans, HacknPlan provides a cost-effective solution for indie developers and small teams.
  • Intuitive Interface
    The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, reducing the learning curve for new users.

Possible disadvantages of HacknPlan

  • Limited Integration Options
    HacknPlan has fewer integrations with other software tools compared to some of its competitors, which can limit its usefulness in a diversified toolchain.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    Compared to some complex project management tools, HacknPlan might lack some advanced features, such as highly customizable workflows or extensive reporting capabilities.
  • Game Development Focus
    Its specialized focus can be a disadvantage if you want to use it for non-game-related projects, where it might not fit as well as more general project management tools.
  • Smaller Community and Ecosystem
    The community and ecosystem around HacknPlan are smaller compared to more established project management tools, potentially leading to fewer tutorials, plugins, or community support.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users have reported occasional performance issues or bugs which can hinder workflow efficiency.

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.

Simplenote videos

Simplenote Review

More videos:

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

HacknPlan videos

HacknPlan Workflow and Project Layout

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Simplenote and HacknPlan)
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Project Management
0 0%
100% 100
Task Management
95 95%
5% 5
Todos
100 100%
0% 0

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 HacknPlan

Simplenote Reviews

  1. Basic

    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.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: PrivacyNotes, Standard Notes, Joplin
  2. 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.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: OneNote, Evernote
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Lots of functionalities|Easy user interface|Easy to use|Simple
    ๐Ÿ‘Ž 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 Simplenoteโ€™s features are completely accessible to anyone and are free to use, whereas you will have to get a subscription to unlock all of Notabilityโ€™s features such as unlimited editing, automatic backups, iCloud syncs, and more.

HacknPlan Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Simplenote should be more popular than HacknPlan. 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 / 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 (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 / almost 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 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 / about 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years ago
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HacknPlan mentions (13)

  • Tool for managing game assets?
    Some management software has "ok" file management... Something like "hacknplan.com" .. it's my favorite. Source: over 3 years ago
  • What do you use for planning/brainstorming?
    A while back I was working with a small team and we tried out HacknPlan, and we were pretty impressed by it. I liked the integration with a design document, made it feel like it really was geared towards game devs. Our artist took to it quickly and everyone was able to fill out their own timelines with labels so we could get a nice overview of the scope of the project. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Free Portfolio Building Offer - AWS Amplify
    I'll give you the resources you'll need for a team environment to include access to advanced Github resources, AWS services, and seats in team environment apps (SDL uses hacknplan.com). Source: over 4 years ago
  • Iโ€™ve lost my passion for game design.
    Other suggestions *Add one task per day into your preferred program management app https://hacknplan.com/ I like this one If you want to continue after that task, can do so, but write at least one. *Join some game dev discords. Source: over 4 years ago
  • I've finally found the game design & development software I need
    For kanban boards, I really enjoy using HackNPlan. I just pay for the basic features for it, but it's worked really well for me, and the creator is active on Reddit and is pretty quick on responses. Source: over 4 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Simplenote and HacknPlan, 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.

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.

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.

Asana - Asana project management is an effort to re-imagine how we work together, through modern productivity software. Fast and versatile, Asana helps individuals and groups get more done.

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

Basecamp - A simple and elegant project management system.