# Simplenote vs PrepChecklist

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Simplenote at 86% against PrepChecklist's 50%. Simplenote also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). PrepChecklist's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Simplenote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month and PrepChecklist sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Simplenote holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simplenote has 4.3K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Simplenote's written reviews are positive against 50% of PrepChecklist's.

Simplenote ships an update fortnightly, PrepChecklist weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simplenote | PrepChecklist |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (4.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplenote/id289429962/reviews)** | [4.4 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prepchecklist-to-do-list/id6463404844/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.3K** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **86.2% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 11 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Automattic](https://appshunter.io/developer/335703883) | [naoki otsu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1082476153) |

## 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


### PrepChecklist

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prepchecklist-to-do-list/id6463404844)

Create detailed preparation lists for any occasion, from travel to work. Organize tasks with smart tabs, customize appearance, and set reminders. Secure your lists with biometric authentication and export data easily.

**Highlights:** Smart organization with tabs, Intuitive drag & drop interface, Customizable notifications, Biometric authentication, Background color customization, CSV data export, Dark mode support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium | $9.99 | per year |
| Premium Edition | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $12.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simplenote free?

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

### Is PrepChecklist free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Simplenote or PrepChecklist?

Simplenote is rated higher. Simplenote averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while PrepChecklist averages 4.4 from 7 ratings.

### Do Simplenote or PrepChecklist have ads?

PrepChecklist shows ads; Simplenote does not.

### Which is updated more often, Simplenote or PrepChecklist?

Simplenote ships an update fortnightly, and PrepChecklist weekly. Most recently, Simplenote was updated on September 26, 2026 and PrepChecklist on September 20, 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.*