Substack VS Simplenote

Compare Substack VS Simplenote and see what are their differences

Rating: 0 reviews
: Promote on VibeVoted

Rating: 3.5 · 2 reviews
Pricing: Open source
: Promote on VibeVoted

Schedule Forge

Forge your schedule, not spreadsheets. Drag-and-drop work orders, capacity-aware line scheduling, shop floor kiosk clocking, AI what-if scenarios, and a daily dashboard that tells you what needs attention. sponsored

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Substack might be a bit more popular than Simplenote. We know about 112 links to it since March 2021 and only 83 links to Simplenote.

social mentions: 112 vs 83
Blogging popularity: 100% vs 0%

Base details

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

	Substack	Simplenote
Website	substack.com	simplenote.com
Pricing	—	Open source
Company	Startup from the United States	Startup from the United States
Listed in	Creators Blogging Paid Newsletters CMS +1	Note Taking Task Management Project Management Personal Notes +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features

Simplenote 6 features

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.

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.

Analysis

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

Substack

Simplenote

Overall verdict

Substack is a good choice for writers seeking autonomy and a straightforward way to monetize their content. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer working within the framework of a larger publication or those unfamiliar with the challenges of building and maintaining a subscriber base.

Why this product is good

Substack is a platform that allows writers, journalists, and content creators to publish and monetize their newsletters. It is praised for its ease of use, built-in subscription system, and direct-to-consumer model which enables writers to retain control over their audience and content. The platform has attracted both independent writers and established journalists seeking the freedom to monetize their work without traditional media constraints.

Recommended for

Independent writers and journalists
Content creators looking to monetize their work
Individuals seeking a direct relationship with their audience
Those who appreciate simplicity in publishing

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.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add

Simplenote 2 videos + Add

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

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

Substack

Simplenote

100% 100%

Blogging

0% 0%

Note Taking

100% 100%

CMS

0% 0%

Task Management

100% 100%

User comments

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

Reviews and articles

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

Substack no reviews yet

Simplenote 3.5 · 2 reviews

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....

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.

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Substack 112 mentions

Simplenote 83 mentions

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

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

Alternatives to Substack and Simplenote

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

Ghost
Ghost is a fully open source, adaptable platform for building and running a modern online publication. We power blogs, magazines and journalists from Zappos to Sky News.

Compare Ghost to Substack or Simplenote:

Ghost vs Substack Ghost vs Simplenote
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.

Compare Evernote to Substack or Simplenote:

Evernote vs Substack Evernote vs Simplenote
Medium
Welcome to Medium, a place to read, write, and interact with the stories that matter most to you.

Compare Medium to Substack or Simplenote:

Medium vs Substack Medium vs Simplenote
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.

Compare OneNote to Substack or Simplenote:

OneNote vs Substack OneNote vs Simplenote
beehiiv
beehiiv empowers people to create, monetize, and grow by providing the most powerful and robust newsletter platform, holistically under one roof.

Compare beehiiv to Substack or Simplenote:

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

Compare Google Keep to Substack or Simplenote:

Google Keep vs Substack Google Keep vs Simplenote