Simple Notes. vs Paper
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Create text notes
- Character count display
- Sort notes
- Widget support
- Instant sharing via Messages
- Automatic saving
Read full descriptionHide full description
Simple Notes. is exactly what the name says, a simple note taking app. The app's core idea is to provide an app with features that everyone is going to use. There's no grids, cameras, audio and etc. Just text, and sharing. What can this app do? -Create notes -Display the number of characters -Sort notes -Show list of notes, or most recent note using widgets -Share instantly using the Messages app -How to Create Notes 1. Press "Create new Note" 2. Enter the any text you'd like to save 3. Press "Save" After your first save, your note will be saved automatically -How to delete Notes Swipe your note to the left or 1. Tap the three dots button 2. Press edit 3. Then press "-" then press "delete" -How to sort notes 1. Tap the three dots button 2. Tap the way you want to sort your notes -How to share notes with iMessage 0. Open "iMessage" 1. Tap on a conversation 2. Tap on Simple Notes. from the app drawer 3. Select a note you'd like to send 4. Press the blue arrow and your message is sent! (If you don't want to send your title, turn on the switch on the top) Please leave reviews and comments in the App Store/Twitter Direct Message about what should be done to make this app better
Paper
Capture, organize, and sync your thoughts with a smart note-taking app. Features include rich formatting, AI summarization, and secure encryption across all your devices. Ideal for students, professionals, and anyone seeking enhanced productivity.
- Customizable notebooks
- Military-grade encryption
- Smart search
- Rich formatting (images, sketches)
- AI note summarization
- Voice-to-text capture
- Cross-device sync
Read full descriptionHide full description
Paper is the simplest way to take notes, capture ideas, and stay organized. This free note taking app brings text notes, voice notes, checklists, and smart reminders together in one clean, fast and private space. TAKE NOTES YOUR WAY • Write text notes, record voice notes, and add images, drawings and math equations • Turn any note into a checklist or to-do list with deadlines and recurring reminders • Jot down memos and ideas on the go, wherever you are STAY ORGANIZED • Organize notes with notebooks, tags and pinned notes • Search everything instantly and filter by tag • Sync your notes across phone, tablet and computer • Use it as a journal, a memo pad, or your daily planner SMART AI ASSISTANT • Summarize long notes in one tap • Translate your notes into any language • Auto-tag and structure your notes automatically PRIVATE & SECURE • Notes are end-to-end encrypted • Secret Garden: a password-protected space for your most personal notes • No ads, no tracking: a private notes app you can trust SHARE EASILY • Share notes as a link, Markdown, or HTML • Collaborate on notes in real time with friends and teammates Paper Premium unlocks unlimited notebooks, automatic voice to text transcription, AI features, unlimited recurring reminders, and real-time collaboration. Download Paper now, the free notes app with AI, voice notes, checklists and full privacy. What's new: • Completely redesigned app: navigation now uses a bottom tab bar • Create notes with your voice • Notes sharing has been rebuilt and is now much more reliable • Fresh new UI across the entire app for a smoother experience • AI features have been improved and stabilized https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Simple Notes. at free against Paper's freemium. Simple Notes. also leads on ratings volume (61 vs 2) and iOS requirement (14.1 vs 16.0). Paper's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 79%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Simple Notes. sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Paper sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Paper holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simple Notes. has 61 ratings behind it against 2, 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 100% of Paper's.
Simple Notes. ships an update every 2 months, Paper fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Simple Notes. | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (61 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 78.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 61 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 14.1 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 77 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yuto Iwakami | Steve NOSSE |
Customer experience
Simple Notes.
Paper
In-app purchases
Simple Notes.
- Small Tip$0.99
- Medium Tip$2.99
- Large Tip$5.99
Paper
- Monthly Premium$1.991 Month
- Yearly premium$14.991 Year
- Lifetime access$9.99









