Simplenote VS Substack

• 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.

• Ease of Use
  Substack offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for writers to publish and monetize their newsletters.
• Built-in Monetization
  Writers can easily charge readers for subscriptions, allowing for straightforward monetization.
• Direct Audience Connection
  Substack allows writers to build a direct relationship with their audience via email, which can lead to a more engaged readership.
• Discovery and Community
  Features like staff picks and recommendations help writers get discovered by new readers.
• No Upfront Costs
  Substack does not charge upfront fees; instead, it takes a percentage of subscription revenues, making it easier to start.
• Content Ownership
  Writers retain full ownership of their content, giving them more control over their work.

Possible disadvantages

• Revenue Share
  Substack takes a 10% cut of subscription revenues, which can add up for writers with a large subscriber base.
• Limited Customization
  The platform has limited customization options compared to building a custom website or using more flexible CMS options.
• Dependency on Platform
  Relying on Substack means depending on its policies and infrastructure, which could pose risks if the platform changes its terms or features.
• Competition
  As more writers join Substack, it can become challenging to stand out amidst the growing competition.
• Email Deliverability
  Writers may face issues with email deliverability, as some newsletters may end up in spam folders.
• Payment Processing Fees
  Besides Substack's fee, payment processors like Stripe also take a percentage, further reducing net earnings for writers.

Simplenote Review

More videos

Monetizing Podcasts and Newsletters - Chris Best of Substack and Jonathan Gill of Backtracks

More videos

• 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.

View more

• 25+ Medium Alternative Platforms for Publishing Articles
  forgefusion.io · Dec 2023

  Substack offers writers of all experience levels the ability to write an email newsletter that’s profitable through subscriptions. Substack provides purpose-built web and newsletter publishing tools to enable writers...

• 10 Best Medium Alternatives for Reading and Publishing
  www.geeksforgeeks.org · Nov 2023

  What sеts Substack apart is its sеamlеss intеgration of contеnt crеation and subscription-basеd monеtization. Substack’s usеr-friеndly intеrfacе, distribution tools, and support for various contеnt formats make it a...

• 9 Best Medium Alternatives for Making Money With Your Writing in 2023
  www.authorityhacker.com · Sep 2023

  Substack and Medium differ primarily in their monetization methods. Medium pays creators based on reader engagement, while Substack enables writers to monetize directly through paid subscriptions to their newsletters....

View more

• 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 / about 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

View more

• Ask HN: What are you working on? (November 2026)

  A free comedy newsletter that has nothing to do with technology yet mentions it from time to time. https://substack.com/@yelluwcomedy. - Source: Hacker News / 2 days ago

• UK Defence Startups Are Being Denied Banking Services Under ESG Rules

  Books have already been written on this, some as early as 1945 (That Hideous Strength, C.S. Lewis). Otherwise I can recommend basically everything by Curtis Yarvin and Kevin Dolan (https://substack.com/@exitgroup,... - Source: Hacker News / 21 days ago

• Show HN: Sphinx – a hook that quizzes you on your AI agent's code before push

  We built something quite similar 6 months ago called PEAK (Proof of Effort And Knowledge). Blog post and YT video here: https://substack.com/@jeffksmithjr/p-195763168 Our version has its own TUI and was intended for semi-adversarial... - Source: Hacker News / 24 days ago

View more