Simplenote vs Turtl
Simplenote
simplenote.comTurtl
turtlapp.comSide by side
| Figure | Simplenote | Turtl |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Spec score · Note-taking apps | 8.6 (#44) | 9.3 (#8) |
| API status | The listed legacy Simplenote API was deprecated and the page says it would stop functioning after October 1, 2018. | The original public API repository is explicitly marked deprecated, although it documents the server handling client requests. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | The desktop and web apps can import Evernote exports, while the web app and other apps can import Simplenote JSON and plain text or Markdown files. | The official feature and download pages describe Chrome and Firefox bookmarking extensions and Android sharing, but do not list other integrations. |
| Maker | The site footer identifies Automattic Inc. as the copyright holder; the opened pages do not state a headquarters or founding year. | Turtl states that the project is owned and operated by Lyon Bros LLC. |
| Markdown | Simplenote supports writing, previewing, and publishing notes in Markdown. | Turtl supports Markdown formatting and TeX mathematical expressions in notes. |
| Note sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Offline access | Yes | Yes |
| Supported platforms | web,windows,macos,linux,ios,android | The download page lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome and Firefox bookmarking extensions, and says iOS is coming soon. |
| Purpose | Simplenote is a note-taking app that syncs notes across devices. | Turtl describes itself as a secure, collaborative notebook for organizing bookmarks, passwords, files, and shopping lists. |
| Security | The help center has separate answers about encryption in storage and during synchronization, but the opened page did not expose their answer text. | Turtl says it encrypts data in the app before it leaves the device, using keys derived from the user's email and password. |
| Support | Simplenote provides a Help Center, Contact Us page, and Support Forum. | Basic and Premium include community support, while Business includes dedicated support; the contact page directs users to the Turtl Community for questions and help. |
Plans
In their own words
Simplenote
Simplenote has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Turtl
Turtl is a collaborative notebook for organizing bookmarks, passwords, files, shopping lists, and other notes. It supports text, bookmark, password, image, and document notes, with full-text search, tag filtering, Markdown, and TeX math rendering. Users can create Spaces, choose collaborators, and set permissions from read-only access through full ownership. Turtl says data is encrypted in the app before leaving the device, using keys derived from the user's email and password. Shared items get separate random keys, so recipients can unlock only the item shared with them. The service warns that an intercepted email invitation could expose a shared Space if its secret is not communicated separately. Users can import or export their full profile for backup or migration, and can install the open-source server to host their own data. Listed platforms include Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, with Chrome and Firefox bookmarking extensions; offline access is supported. Premium costs $3/mo and includes 10GB note data and 10 collaborators per Space; Business costs $8/mo and includes 50GB and dedicated support.