Comparison

Simple Notes. vs Shared Notes

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 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

About

Shared Notes

This app helps couples and friends stay organized with shared lists and notes. It features AI tools to summarize, format, and correct text, along with private, password-protected notes and offline functionality.

Highlights
  • Shared grocery and to-do lists
  • AI summarization and grammar correction
  • Password-protected private notes
  • Offline note-taking and syncing
  • Real-time synchronization
  • Cross-platform compatibility
Features
Read full description

Shared Notes is the simple, secure way to keep your relationship and daily life in sync. Whether it’s a shared grocery list with your partner, a travel plan with friends, or private thoughts you want to lock away, everything is safe here. Now powered by Smart AI, you can tidy up messy notes, fix grammar, and summarize long texts in seconds. WHY COUPLES & FRIENDS LOVE SHARED NOTES: [+] Shared Grocery & To-Do Lists Stop asking "Did you buy the milk?" Create a shared list with your partner or flatmate. When you cross off an item, it syncs instantly to everyone’s phone. Perfect for groceries, household chores, and packing lists. [+] Smart AI Assistant (NEW) Turn messy thoughts into clear plans. • Summarize: Turn long notes into short, clear summaries. • Fix Grammar: Polish your spelling and sentences automatically. • Auto-Format: Convert a rough paragraph into a clean checklist with one tap. [+] Private & Password Protected Your thoughts belong to you. Lock sensitive notes or journals with a secure password so only you can access them. We prioritize privacy with offline-first storage and secure cloud syncing. [+] Works Offline Capture ideas on a plane or in the subway. Write offline, and the app will automatically sync your changes to the cloud the moment you are back online. KEY FEATURES: • Real-Time Sync: See changes as your partner types. • AI Tools: Summarize, spell-check, and format instantly. • Dark Mode: A beautiful interface that’s easy on the eyes. • Cross-Platform: Syncs seamlessly between iPhone, iPad, and Android. Simple. Secure. Shared. Download Shared Notes today and get in sync.

Screenshots

Simple Notes.4 screens
Shared Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Simple Notes. at none against Shared Notes's shown. Simple Notes. also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 50%) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Shared Notes's advantage is update cadence (every 2 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. Simple Notes. sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Shared Notes sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Simple Notes. holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simple Notes. has 61 ratings behind it against 11, 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 Notes's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simple Notes. ships an update every 2 months, Shared Notes every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Simple Notes. versus Shared Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimple Notes.Shared Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (61 ratings) — better4.4 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews78.6% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings61 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.1 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB83 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYuto IwakamiJuanma Del Boca

Customer experience

Simple Notes.

All ratings61 ratings
Positive91.8%
Neutral4.9%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive78.6%
Neutral14.3%
Negative7.1%

Shared Notes

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral9.1%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Simple Notes.

One-time3
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$2.99
  • Large Tip$5.99
5 purchases

Shared Notes

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Half Year Subscription7 Days trial$4.996 Months
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Pro + AI$29.99
  • Lifetime Pro + AI$59.99

Questions

Is Simple Notes. free?
Simple Notes. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shared Notes free?
Shared Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Simple Notes. or Shared Notes?
Simple Notes. is rated higher. Simple Notes. averages 4.7 out of 5 from 61 ratings, while Shared Notes averages 4.4 from 11 ratings.
Do Simple Notes. or Shared Notes have ads?
Shared Notes shows ads; Simple Notes. does not.
Which is updated more often, Simple Notes. or Shared Notes?
Simple Notes. ships an update every 2 months, and Shared Notes every 2 weeks. Most recently, Simple Notes. was updated on September 28, 2026 and Shared Notes on September 24, 2026.

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