Simplenote

Simplenote is a free, minimalist note-taking app that syncs notes instantly across all devices for writers, students, professionals, and everyday users.

🚀 Overview

Simplenote is the simplest way to keep notes, solving the common issues of note fragmentation and manual syncing by providing automatic, real-time synchronization across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, and web platforms. It offers a distraction-free environment with just enough features like tags, instant search, sharing, version history, and Markdown support.

It's built for anyone who takes notes regularly—from casual users jotting shopping lists to professionals managing ideas—prioritizing speed, privacy, and cross-device accessibility.

Developed initially by Simperium and now by Automattic (makers of WordPress), it was created to deliver a truly simple, powerful, and free note-taking experience without unnecessary bloat.

✨ Key Features

Instant syncing across all devices in real-time, no sync button required (ensures notes are always up-to-date everywhere)
Tags and lightning-fast search for effortless organization and retrieval (find anything instantly)
Share notes, collaborate on to-do lists, or publish online (simple collaboration and distribution)
Automatic backups with full version history for every change (go back in time safely)
Native Markdown support for writing, previewing, and publishing formatted notes (elevates plain text)

🛠 Tech Stack

Frontend: React, Electron (for Windows, Linux, web apps)
Backend: Proprietary (Automattic/Simperium infrastructure)
Database: Not publicly specified
Auth: Custom (email-based login with magic links)
Hosting: Automattic cloud services

👥 Who Is This For?

This project is useful for:

Everyday users who want distraction-free, synced notes on any device
Writers and content creators leveraging Markdown
Teams looking for quick, shareable note collaboration

📸 Screenshots / Demo

🔥 Project Status

🟢 Actively building

Last updated: 2026-03-24

❓ FAQ

Is this project free?

Yes — Apps, backups, syncing, sharing: all completely free.

Is the source code available?

Yes — link to repositories: https://github.com/Automattic/simplenote-electron (Electron), https://github.com/Automattic/simplenote-ios (iOS), https://github.com/Automattic/simplenote-android (Android), https://github.com/Automattic/simplenote-macos (macOS)

Can I contribute?

Yes, browse the GitHub repositories for issues, feature requests, and submit pull requests. Note: Some repos note limited open-source development workflow currently, but actively maintained with recent releases.