Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Simplenote VS Rows

Compare Simplenote VS Rows 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.

Rows logo Rows

The spreadsheet where teams work faster
  • Simplenote Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-15
  • Rows Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-23

Slick design. Built-in integrations. Revolutionary sharing. Rows reinvented spreadsheets so teams do more, crazy fast.

Simplenote

Pricing URL
-
$ Details
Release Date
-
Startup details
Country
United States

Rows

Website
rows.com
$ Details
-
Release Date
2016 January
Startup details
Country
Germany
State
Berlin
City
Berlin
Founder(s)
Humberto Ayres Pereira
Employees
10 - 19

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.

Rows features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Rows provides an intuitive and easy-to-use spreadsheet interface that is accessible for users of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Supports a variety of integrations with other software services and APIs, allowing for seamless data import and export.
  • Real-Time Collaboration
    Allows multiple users to work on the same spreadsheet simultaneously, enhancing team productivity and ensuring everyone has the latest information.
  • Customization and Automation
    Offers powerful automation features and the ability to write custom scripts, which can save time and reduce manual errors.
  • Template Library
    Provides a rich library of pre-designed templates that can help users quickly get started on common business tasks.

Possible disadvantages of Rows

  • Learning Curve
    While user-friendly, more advanced features and scripting capabilities may require a significant learning curve for new users.
  • Limited Offline Functionality
    Primarily a cloud-based tool, which means it relies heavily on internet connection and offers limited offline functionality.
  • Pricing
    The cost of premium features or larger scale deployments can be high, which may not be affordable for small businesses or individual users.
  • Dependency on Integrations
    Heavily reliant on third-party integrations, which means any issues or changes in connected services can impact Rows' functionality.
  • Security Concerns
    As with any cloud-based service, there may be concerns about data security and privacy, especially for sensitive or confidential information.

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 Rows

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Rows is considered a good tool, especially for those who need a blend of traditional spreadsheet capabilities enhanced with modern, cloud-based functionalities. Its powerful integration options and user-friendly interface make it a compelling choice for data-driven organizations.

Why this product is good

  • Rows (rows.com) is a spreadsheet tool that stands out due to its modern approach to data management and collaboration. It combines the familiarity of spreadsheet functionalities with powerful integrations and automation features. Users appreciate its ability to pull in data from various API services without requiring advanced technical skills, making it easier for teams to manage and analyze data collaboratively. The interface is intuitive and designed for seamless teamwork, enabling real-time updates and sharing capabilities.

Recommended for

  • Data analysts seeking a more intuitive way to integrate and analyze data.
  • Small businesses looking to streamline reporting and data-driven decision-making processes.
  • Teams that require collaborative and real-time updates on shared projects.
  • Individuals who are familiar with spreadsheet interfaces but lack advanced programming skills and need easy API integrations.

Simplenote videos

Simplenote Review

More videos:

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

Rows videos

Welcome to Rows

More videos:

  • Review - The Truth about Barbell Rows (AVOID MISTAKES!)
  • Review - 9/21/21 bentover rows review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Simplenote and Rows)
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Spreadsheets
0 0%
100% 100
Task Management
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100

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 Rows

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.

Rows Reviews

The best no-code tools for sales teams
You can bring your data to life. With Rows, you can jazz up your spreadsheets with slick charts, images, audio and even interactive features such as buttons and checkboxes. Whatโ€™s more, you can share your spreadsheets with colleagues and clients in the form of interactive dashboards and websites.
Source: www.nocode.tech

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Simplenote should be more popular than Rows. 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
View more

Rows mentions (24)

View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Simplenote and Rows, 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.

Airtable - Airtable works like a spreadsheet but gives you the power of a database to organize anything. Sign up for free.

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.

NocoDB - The Open Source Airtable alternative

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

Grist - Grist makes it easy to transform spreadsheets into a custom database where data is truly actionable.