Evernote was one of my go-to apps. I used it so regularly and loved it so much that I even created a to-do list template to go along with it. My workflow revolved around Evernote to a huge degree, but then…
Beginning today, the prices for our Plus and Premium tiers will change for new subscriptions, and access from Evernote Basic accounts will be limited to two devices.
Evernote Blog – June 28, 2016
Initially, I chose to use my laptop and my iPhone, removing the app from my iPad, but then, I got a second laptop (one loaned to me from my work, one personally owned) and needed a better system but wasn’t ready to make a decision. For the time being, I was limping along with the standard Apple Notes app.
Finally, last week, I was going on vacation and wanted to be able to do some writing, which would mean involving my iPad and wireless keyboard, my iPhone, then, when I returned home, my laptop. This meant that I would need Evernote on my iPad so that I could easily sync between my tablet and phone.
I needed an Evernote replacement immediately, and after a quick bit of Googling, I found Simplenote, a wonderful, free note app designed by Automattic, the same people who brought you WordPress.
Simplenote is a clean, simple app that doesn’t have all of the features of Evernote, but it does have all of the features I used, except one: notebooks. Instead, Simplenote functions entirely off of tags, which honestly is all I probably need. And, in a nice compensation for the lack of notebooks, Simplenote does allow you view all the notes of one particular tag at a time. Thus, I could bring my Evernote “working” hack to Simplenote.
Simplenote does have some fairly compelling features that Evernote lacks, such as a simplified collaboration system—just use your colleague’s email as a tag—and version control on each individual note, which is pretty darn fantastic. Plus, it allows you to sync to as many devices as needed, across multiple platforms (Apple, Android, Amazon, Windows, and Linux). It’s even open source!
Perhaps you’ve already heard about Simplenote? I do feel late to the game, since our James Cooper played the role of app prophet in announcing his departure from Evernote in favor of Simplenote over three years ago, but then again, maybe you were content with Evernote until this summer’s stunning betrayal. If so, I hope you’ll find yourself happily syncing notes once again.
Michael Hamilton says
I’ve never heard of Simplenote, but since you’ve made a case for it I’ll have to check it out. I’m probably one of the few that still uses Apple’s Notes.App for taking notes when I’m either talking to a client or just needing to jot something down for later.
I shall now go and immediately install it on all devices … just to see. 🙂
Thanks Phil!
Phil Schneider says
Awesome, Mike! I’m going to try to go through my Evernote during Christmas break and switch it all over to Simplennote and Scrivener.
Michael Hamilton says
Very nice. I had a consult this afternoon, so I was able to try it out right away. I love a clean UX, and this app hits all the right points for me. I’ll be working with it over the next month or so to see if making the switch from Evernote will be worthwhile for me.
I’m currently a premium member, but if I can trim that bit of fat I’d be happy.
Phil Schneider says
Trimming the fat, huh? Sounds a like a great podcast topic.
Michael Hamilton says
It is actually, but i think it’s been done before. ¯\_(:0)_/¯
Phil Schneider says
Nothing new under the sun.
Chris says
This summer I refused to pay for the features I was losing on Evernote and used Apple Notes instead. It was great for my work then and I really like some of the new features in iOS 9…BUT this academic year I wanted some of the old resources I had put into Evernote. I was pretty upset about that and quickly realised that I’d either need to get my notes out of Evernote, or pay up. I found out that the polish price is only 20PLN ($5) for the premium version and decided that was a worthwhile investment for an app that has amazing search features (and the quickest solution).
I’m not saying it’s the best and I really would have struggled to justify $20 (although I’m not sure I should) but in the end, I’m pretty happy being back on Evernote. Those annoying “have you heard about workchat” messages are all gone!
Phil Schneider says
Chris, I’m happy for you. For once, being on international pricing has worked out. Congratulations!
On this side of the pond, I’ll keep being stinging and refuse to pay up. 🙂
Chris Wilson says
I think it would have been much easier to convince people to pay if they had started with this pricing model (or given you a trial of the premium) or added some new features instead of taking features away. And yes, finally being in a foreign country means lower prices not higher! (apparently spotify is dirt cheap here too!)
Phil Schneider says
Yeah, making us pay a ransom for features we’d grown accustomed to only proves that they have no consideration for the user.
Carl says
I am probably one of those less bothered by some of the changes to Evernote. Perhaps it’s because at this point, it’s so much part of my workflow, that it’s worth the small amount of cash. But, maybe will check into simplenote for other uses or for my kids and wife who aren’t fully into the Evernote system yet.
Phil Schneider says
That’s a fair point, Carl. It was a big part of my workflow but only outside of my actual job. Had I been a full-time writer, I might have considered that $20 as part of “the cost of doing business.”
Michael Hamilton says
Just like forking out the $$$ I have to pay for the invoicing and a contract/proposal systems I use. Could i do it all by hand … sure, but it’s much easier to have a tool to do most of the work for me.