OneNote vs Simplenote

August 23, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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OneNote
Use OneNote at home, school and work to capture thoughts, ideas and to-do's. Find all your notes quickly in the recent view. Your stuff travels with you on your computers, tablets and phones. Get OneNote for any of your devices or use it on the web. Get things done with your friends, family, classmates and colleagues. Share your notebooks with others for viewing or editing.
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Simplenote
The simplest way to keep notes. Light, clean, and free. Simplenote is now available for iOS, Android, Mac, and the web. Your notes stay updated across all your devices. No buttons to press. Find notes quickly with instant searching and simple tags. Share a list, post some instructions, or publish your thoughts.

OneNote and Simplenote are note-taking applications, but they have distinct differences in their features and approach. OneNote, developed by Microsoft, offers a comprehensive note-taking experience with a wide range of features. It allows users to create rich, multimedia notes with text, images, audio recordings, and even drawings. OneNote offers organization tools such as notebooks, sections, and tags, making it suitable for managing complex notes and projects. It also integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products and services.

On the other hand, Simplenote is a minimalist note-taking app that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It offers a clean and clutter-free interface, allowing users to create and organize plain text notes effortlessly. Simplenote emphasizes speed and synchronization across devices, ensuring that notes are readily available and up to date. While it lacks advanced features, Simplenote excels at providing a lightweight and straightforward note-taking experience for users who prioritize simplicity and quick access to their notes.

See also: Top 10 Notebooks
OneNote vs Simplenote in our news:

2017. Microsoft redesigned OneNote


Microsoft has introduced an enhanced version of its note-taking application, OneNote. This update focuses on improving the navigation layout, particularly for larger notebooks containing numerous sections. The navigation controls have been consolidated into a single area on the left-hand side of the app, enabling users to seamlessly switch between their notes. This enhancement not only enhances usability but also ensures better compatibility with assistive technologies. With this update, users can expect a consistent experience across all devices, enabling them to effortlessly capture thoughts, jot down notes, and increase productivity. Regardless of the device they are using, the updated OneNote empowers users to work more efficiently and effectively.


2016. Simplenote app is now Open-Source



Automattic, the company behind WordPress, has made Simplenote open source. This includes all the desktop and mobile apps of the popular note-taking service. You can find the source code for the Simplenote iOS, Android, and macOS apps on the Automattic GitHub page. These apps now join the previously open-sourced Simplenote Linux and Windows 10 app. By open-sourcing these apps, Automattic aims to encourage contributions from a diverse community of developers worldwide, with the goal of improving the apps even further. It's important to note that only the applications themselves are being open-sourced, while the server-side code responsible for syncing and powering various features remains closed-source.


2016. Microsoft makes it easy to switch from Evernote to OneNote


Microsoft has introduced a new tool designed to simplify the transition from Evernote to its rival application OneNote, which is part of the Microsoft Office suite. Known as the "OneNote Importer tool," this software aims to address the challenges and associated costs that often deter users from switching to a competing platform. Microsoft takes a persuasive approach by highlighting that OneNote is available for free across all devices, while Evernote Premium is a paid product costing $50 per year. Currently, the tool is only compatible with Windows, but a version for Mac users is actively being developed and is expected to be released in the upcoming months. Please note that while the HTML tags and links were retained, they may not be properly rendered in this plain text format.


2014. Microsoft OneNote becomes free


The online notebook-organizer, OneNote, has historically been a component of Microsoft Office, requiring a paid subscription. However, with the introduction of the free Office Online, the online version of OneNote also became freely accessible. Subsequently, Microsoft released free mobile OneNote apps for Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone. Nonetheless, the desktop version of OneNote remained exclusive to the paid MS Office suite. Today, Microsoft has unveiled OneNote for Mac and announced that the desktop version for both Windows and Mac is now available for free. As a result, Evernote faces a significant competitor that offers comparable cross-platform availability, convenience, and functionality. In addition, OneNote provides users with more extensive free cloud storage and collaboration features that are only accessible through Evernote's paid version.


2013. Automattic acquired note-taking service Simplenote



The note-taking app, Simplenote, which is popular among Mac and iOS users, has undergone a change in ownership. Simperium, the company responsible for its development, is now a part of Automattic, the organization that created WordPress. Automattic has ambitious plans for Simplenote's future and intends to allocate additional resources to its development, including enhancements to Simperium, the data-syncing service utilized by the app. Notably, Automattic has successfully acquired the Simplenote.com domain and has established a new blog there. Powered by WordPress, this blog will serve as a platform to keep users well-informed about the forthcoming updates and improvements to expect from Simplenote.


2012. Microsoft SkyDrive и OneNote landed on Android



Microsoft has finally overcome its hesitation towards rival mobile platforms, demonstrating a willingness to cater to a broader audience. In the past, the company released several applications for iPhone and iPad, and it is currently developing a comprehensive mobile version of Office for the iPad. Now, Microsoft has turned its attention to Android users, aiming to bring them joy as well. Naturally, they began with applications that benefit from cross-platform functionality, such as the file storage service SkyDrive and the versatile notebook and organizer app OneNote. With these new offerings, users can seamlessly synchronize any files, including OneNote notebooks, between their Android smartphones and their online SkyDrive accounts. However, there is a small caveat to consider. While SkyDrive for Android is completely free, the mobile version of OneNote is free for up to 500 notes. Once this limit is reached, users will be required to pay a one-time fee of $4.99 to remove the restriction and continue enjoying the app without limitations.

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com