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Xournal++ VS Simplenote

Compare Xournal++ VS Simplenote and see what are their differences

Xournal++ logo Xournal++

Xournal++ is a handwriting notetaking software with PDF annotation support. Written in C++ with GTK3, supporting Linux (e.g. Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, SUSE), macOS and Windows 10. Supports pen input fr...

Simplenote logo Simplenote

The simplest way to keep notes. Light, clean, and free. Simplenote is now available for iOS, Android, Mac, and the web.
  • Xournal++ Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-20
  • Simplenote Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-15

Xournal++ features and specs

  • Open-Source
    Xournal++ is open-source, which means its source code is publicly available for anyone to inspect, modify, and contribute to. This promotes transparency and community-driven improvements.
  • Cross-Platform
    Xournal++ is compatible with multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes it accessible to a wider range of users.
  • Feature-Rich for Note-Taking
    Xournal++ offers a variety of features tailored for note-taking, including annotations, handwriting recognition, and PDF support. This makes it a versatile tool for both professional and personal use.
  • Customization
    The application offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the interface and tools to meet their specific needs.
  • Regular Updates
    Being actively maintained by a community of developers, Xournal++ receives regular updates and bug fixes, ensuring that it remains stable and incorporates the latest features.

Possible disadvantages of Xournal++

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users might find Xournal++ challenging to navigate due to its extensive array of features and customization options, resulting in a steep learning curve.
  • Less Polished UI
    Compared to commercial alternatives, the user interface of Xournal++ may appear less polished and slightly outdated, which can affect user experience.
  • Limited Customer Support
    As an open-source project, Xournal++ relies on community support rather than dedicated customer service. Users may encounter difficulties in getting timely assistance for troubleshooting issues.
  • Performance Issues with Large Files
    Some users have reported performance issues when working with very large files or complex documents, which can lead to slowdowns or crashes.
  • Less Integration with Other Software
    Xournal++ may offer fewer integrations with other commonly used software tools compared to some commercial alternatives, which can limit workflow automation and efficiency.

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
    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 of Xournal++

Overall verdict

  • Xournal++ is generally considered a good tool for note-taking and annotation, especially for those who value flexibility and customization in their digital tools. Its active development community ensures regular updates and the addition of new features based on user feedback.

Why this product is good

  • Xournal++ is favored for its robust feature set that includes handwriting support, annotation capabilities, and PDF editing. It’s open-source, cross-platform, and has a user-friendly interface, making it a versatile choice for students, educators, and professionals. The customization options and plugin support add to its functionality, allowing users to tailor the software to their specific needs.

Recommended for

    Xournal++ is recommended for students, educators, researchers, and anyone in need of a reliable tool for digital note-taking, annotating PDFs, or creating handwritten notes in a digital format.

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.

Xournal++ videos

Xournal++ Digital Inking & PDFs on Linux - IG App Picks

More videos:

  • Review - XOURNAL++ PDF ANNOTATOR: BEST FOR ONLINE PAPER CHECKING

Simplenote videos

Simplenote Review

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Xournal++ and Simplenote)
Note Taking
18 18%
82% 82
Todos
31 31%
69% 69
Task Management
15 15%
85% 85
Knowledge Management
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 Xournal++ and Simplenote

Xournal++ Reviews

  1. Go-to solution for easy paper replacement

    Used my laptop, a small wacom tablet, and this program to replace all my engineering notes this semester. No more scanning to upload, re-drawing plots, re-writing equations, printing assignments, or heavy binder to carry around.

    🏁 Competitors: OneNote
    👍 Pros:    Export in pdf|Import pdf

Simplenote Reviews

  1. 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.

    🏁 Competitors: OneNote, Evernote
    👍 Pros:    Lots of functionalities|Easy user interface|Easy to use|Simple
    👎 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 Simplenote’s features are completely accessible to anyone and are free to use, whereas you will have to get a subscription to unlock all of Notability’s features such as unlimited editing, automatic backups, iCloud syncs, and more.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Simplenote should be more popular than Xournal++. 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.

Xournal++ mentions (55)

  • Rnote – Sketch and take handwritten notes
    I tried a whole bunch of the these apps, and I decided that Xournal++ [1] is better than Rnote for note taking. However, I have used Openboard [2] for teaching online since 2020. I agree that Rnote's smoothing is better, but it's tool selection UX is terrible. There are three different bars (top, bottom, and side), and you often need to move your mouse/hand to all of them across the screen in order to select the... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Book list for streetfighting computer scientists
    I've been using Xournalpp[1] for many years, highlighting books as I read them, adding in text/hand drawn annotations in whitespaces if necessary. Unlike other PDF readers/annotators, it saves a separate file, so the original PDF is untouched. It can also export the annotated PDF as a new PDF with highlights and annotations. Obsidian[2] also has PDF support, where you can open a markdown document side by side with... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Combined metric for finding and decoding (digitally) handwritten text on a page?
    Currently, I am trying to build a small open source NLP project for which I first find text on a page and then translate it; see the current project state here: https://github.com/PellelNitram/xournalpp_htr. The purpose of this project is to make handwritten text in Xournal++ searchable for all users. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Alternative to MS OneNote that’s truly as good? Flair is limited but more precisely is I’d like cross-platform.
    On Linux, Xournal++ is the best thing that can do inking. https://github.com/xournalpp/xournalpp. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Need help installing Latex on Linux
    First of all, I don't want to install Latex, but since my note taking app requires it, I feel like I don't have any alternative. I was wondering if I needed to download TexLive or if there were any other options for me. I am taking physics notes and I don't want anything other than basic text editing (superscript, subscript, symbols for physics equations and basic math stuff), is there a way I don't have to... Source: over 2 years ago
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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 / 8 months 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 / 10 months 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 / 12 months 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 1 year 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 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Xournal++ and Simplenote, you can also consider the following products

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.

xournal - Lightweight notetaking and sketching app.

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.

Joplin - Joplin is a free, open source note taking and to-do application, which can handle a large number of notes organised into notebooks. The notes are searchable, tagged and modified either from the applications directly or from your own text editor.

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

Stylus Labs Write - Write is a word processor for handwriting, designed primarily for tablets with an active stylus.