# Simplenote vs Message Templates

The clearest difference is monetization model: Simplenote at free against Message Templates's free with in-app purchases. Simplenote also leads on ratings volume (4.3K vs 8). Message Templates's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Simplenote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month and Message Templates sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Simplenote against 4.6 for Message Templates. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simplenote has 4.3K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of Simplenote's written reviews are positive against 79% of Message Templates's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simplenote | Message Templates |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (4.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplenote/id289429962/reviews)** | [4.6 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/message-templates-quick-post/id1454359343/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.3K** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | **86.2% of reviews** | 78.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 11 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Automattic](https://appshunter.io/developer/335703883) | [Artem Murygin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1368587475) |

## What reviewers say

### Simplenote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplenote/id289429962)

Capture ideas, create to-do lists, and jot down thoughts effortlessly. Organize your notes with tags and pins, and find them instantly with search. Your content syncs across all devices for free, ensuring it's always accessible.

**Highlights:** Simple note-taking experience, Cross-device syncing, Collaboration and sharing, Organization with tags, Instant search, To-do list creation, Passcode lock

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Simplenote Sustainer Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Simplenote Sustainer Yearly | $199.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💻 Cross-platform availability
- 🔍 Reliable search functionality
- 🌐 Seamless syncing across devices
- 📝 Simple, distraction-free interface
- 🔒 Secure with password/fingerprint protection

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔖 Limited formatting options (no bold, italic, etc.)
- 🗂️ Lack of folder organization
- 🔄 Occasional syncing issues
- 🖼️ Unable to add images or attachments
- 🔍 Search could be improved for long notes

**Reported bugs**

- Notes sometimes disappear or get duplicated
- App crashes or freezes on certain devices
- Syncing problems between mobile and desktop

**Requested features**

- Add bold, italic, and other formatting options
- Implement folder-based organization
- Improve syncing reliability across devices
- Allow adding images, files, and other attachments
- Enhance search capabilities for long notes


### Message Templates

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/message-templates-quick-post/id1454359343)

Save and quickly send frequently used messages, including text and attachments. This tool streamlines communication for business and personal use, making routine tasks faster and more efficient.

**Highlights:** Save frequently used messages, Send messages in seconds, Supports text and attached files, Intuitive interface, Useful for business communication, Streamlines routine tasks

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Donate | $0.99 | one-time |
| Full version | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simplenote free?

Simplenote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Message Templates free?

Message Templates is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Simplenote or Message Templates?

Simplenote is rated higher. Simplenote averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while Message Templates averages 4.6 from 8 ratings.

### Do Simplenote or Message Templates have ads?

Neither Simplenote nor Message Templates shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Simplenote or Message Templates?

Simplenote ships an update fortnightly, and Message Templates fortnightly. Most recently, Simplenote was updated on October 12, 2026 and Message Templates on September 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*