Comparison

Simple Notes. vs Shared Note Widgets

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Simple Notes.

This app offers a straightforward way to create, manage, and share text-based notes. It focuses on essential features like character counting and sorting, with seamless integration for sharing via messaging apps.

Highlights
  • Create text notes
  • Character count display
  • Sort notes
  • Widget support
  • Instant sharing via Messages
  • Automatic saving
Features
Read full description

Simple Notes. is exactly what it sounds like: a simple app for taking notes. It focuses on everyday essentials. No grids, camera, or audio—just text, with easy ways to organize and share it. Write a note and it saves automatically as you type. The first line becomes its title. Search your notes, star favorites, sort by favorites, date, or title, and tap the counter to switch between character and word counts. Keep notes close with widgets. Show a note you choose or browse a list of recent notes. Tap a note in a widget to open it in the app. FEATURES - Create and automatically save text notes - Count characters or words - Search, star, and sort notes - View a selected note or recent notes with widgets - Share notes as text or as a .txt file - Add a note to a Messages conversation, with the option to include its title - Create or retrieve notes with Shortcuts app - Create note or search using Siri HOW TO USE Create a note: Tap “Create New Note” and start typing. Your changes save automatically. Delete a note: Swipe left on it and tap Delete. Sort notes: Tap the menu button and choose Favorites, Date, or Title. Share in Messages: Open Simple Notes. from the Messages app drawer, choose a conversation and a note, then tap Send. Use the switch at the top to include or leave out the title. Have a suggestion? Please leave a review on the App Store or send feedback through the app.

About

Shared Note Widgets

Create and share simple text notes directly on your home screen. Keep family and friends updated with lists, reminders, or positive messages. Customize widget appearance and layout for a personalized experience.

Highlights
  • Create simple text notes
  • Add notes to home screen widgets
  • Share notes with friends and family
  • Checkbox mode for lists
  • Customizable widget appearance
  • Light and dark mode support
Features
Read full description

Create simple text notes, add them to your home screen, then share! Friends and family always have up-to-date content. Use it for a family grocery list, reminders, or to send positive messages to friends. What makes this app special: * Ads can be disabled for free, and they never show up in the widget. * App supports light and dark mode. * Super simple editing experience * Switch to "checkbox" mode to quickly go through a shopping or to - do list * Customize the appearance of your widget: Choose the color, layout and other content settings. * Sharing notes is a bonus of this simple-to-use app!

Screenshots

Simple Notes.4 screens
Shared Note Widgets4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Simple Notes. at 4.7 against Shared Note Widgets's 1.0. Simple Notes. also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (79% vs 50%). Shared Note Widgets's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Simple Notes. holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simple Notes. has 65 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Simple Notes.'s written reviews are positive against 50% of Shared Note Widgets's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simple Notes. ships an update every 2 months, Shared Note Widgets every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Simple Notes. versus Shared Note Widgets: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimple Notes.Shared Note Widgets
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (65 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews78.6% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings65 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1514.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYuto IwakamiAlex Rich

Customer experience

Simple Notes.

All ratings64 ratings
Positive92.2%
Neutral4.7%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive78.6%
Neutral14.3%
Negative7.1%

Shared Note Widgets

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Simple Notes.

No in-app purchases

None

Shared Note Widgets

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Simple Notes. free?
Simple Notes. is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shared Note Widgets free?
Shared Note Widgets is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Simple Notes. or Shared Note Widgets?
Simple Notes. is rated higher. Simple Notes. averages 4.7 out of 5 from 65 ratings, while Shared Note Widgets averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Simple Notes. or Shared Note Widgets have ads?
Shared Note Widgets shows ads; Simple Notes. does not.
Which is updated more often, Simple Notes. or Shared Note Widgets?
Simple Notes. ships an update every 2 months, and Shared Note Widgets every 3 weeks. Most recently, Simple Notes. was updated on November 2, 2026 and Shared Note Widgets on October 16, 2026.

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