Software Alternatives & Startups

Simplenote VS TaskNote

Compare Simplenote VS TaskNote and see what are their differences

Simplenote

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

Simplenote Landing page
Rating
3.5 · 2 reviews
Pricing
Open source
TaskNote

Notes, kanban board and reminders in one app. Encrypted sync, Windows app that works offline without an account, free plan with no time limit.

TaskNote Notes list with notebooks and pinned notes (Windows app)
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium $19.99 / Monthly (Pro (web); Windows Lifetime $49 one-time)

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Simplenote seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 83 times since March 2021.

social mentions
83 vs 0
Note Taking popularity
99% vs 1%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 13

Base details

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

Simplenote
TaskNote
Website simplenote.com task-note.com
Pricing
Open source
Freemium $19.99 / Monthly (Pro (web); Windows Lifetime $49 one-time) Official pricing
Platforms
Windows Web Browser
Company Startup from the United States Startup from Vietnam · 1 - 9 employees · 2025
Listed in

About Simplenote and TaskNote

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Simplenote
TaskNote

No description of Simplenote yet.

TaskNote keeps notes, a kanban board and reminders in one app built for one person rather than a team. Notes. A rich-text editor with headings, checklists, tables, columns, images and highlights. Notes are saved as Markdown, so they open anywhere. Full-text search, a command palette (Ctrl+K),...

Read more about TaskNote

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Simplenote 6 features
TaskNote 8 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.
  • Encryption
    End-to-end, AES-GCM on your device; the server stores only ciphertext
  • Offline
    Windows app works fully offline, stores everything in a local file
  • Account
    Not required for the Windows app
  • Kanban board
    Cards with due dates and checklists; notes attach to cards
  • Reminders
    Desktop notifications at the time you set
  • Editor
    Rich text saved as Markdown: headings, tables, columns, images, highlights
  • Import
    Evernote, Google Keep, Notion, Simplenote, Markdown; Chrome web clipper
  • Free plan
    No time limit: 50 notes, 50 tasks, 10 folders, 3 boards, 10 reminders

Analysis

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

Simplenote
TaskNote

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.

No analysis of TaskNote yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Simplenote 2 videos + Add
TaskNote 0 videos + Add

Simplenote Review

More videos

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

No TaskNote videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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
TaskNote
99% 99%
1% 1%
98% 98%
2% 2%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Simplenote and TaskNote.

What makes your product unique?

TaskNote's answer:

Notes, a kanban board and reminders live in one app, and the whole thing is built for one person rather than a team workspace. The Windows app keeps everything in a local file and runs with no account at all; the web version syncs with end-to-end encryption, so the server only ever holds ciphertext. Any note can become a task or be attached to a card, and notes are saved as Markdown, so nothing is locked in.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

TaskNote's answer:

Windows app: Go with Wails, a React and TypeScript front end, SQLite for local storage. Web: Next.js, React, Supabase (Postgres) with AES-GCM encryption in the browser. Chrome extension for web clipping.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

TaskNote's answer:

Notion and ClickUp are built for teams and sold by the seat; TaskNote has no seats, no databases to design and no empty workspace to set up: it opens straight into an editor. Evernote and OneNote keep notes readable on their servers; TaskNote encrypts them on your device. Joplin and Standard Notes are private too, but do not have a kanban board and reminders built in. The free plan has no time limit, and the Windows app is a one-time purchase instead of a subscription.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

TaskNote's answer:

Individuals who keep their own notes and tasks and care where the data lives: freelancers, writers, students, developers, and people leaving Notion or Evernote for something simpler and encrypted. Mostly Windows users, with the web version for the phone and other devices.

What's the story behind your product?

TaskNote's answer:

It started as a personal tool: one place for notes and the tasks that come out of them, without an account and without a team plan for a team of one. The Windows app came first, built to keep everything in a local file and work offline. The web version followed with client-side encryption, because syncing should not mean handing the notes to a server in the clear. It has been in active development since 2025, with a public changelog and a feedback channel inside the app.

User comments

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

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

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

Simplenote 3.5 · 2 reviews
TaskNote 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.

View more

We have no reviews of TaskNote 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
TaskNote 0 mentions

View more

Tracking TaskNote since Sep 2026.

Alternatives to Simplenote and TaskNote

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