# Simplenote vs EarnTime

The clearest difference is monetization model: Simplenote at free against EarnTime's free with in-app purchases. Simplenote also leads on ratings volume (4.3K vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.4). EarnTime's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs fortnightly) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Simplenote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month and EarnTime sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

EarnTime holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simplenote has 4.3K ratings behind it against 1, 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 100% of EarnTime's.

Simplenote ships an update fortnightly, EarnTime every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simplenote | EarnTime |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (4.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplenote/id289429962/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earntime-screen-time-blocker/id6812209883/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4.3K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 86.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 11 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Automattic](https://appshunter.io/developer/335703883) | [Hangfang Zhang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1806855835) |

## 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


### EarnTime

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earntime-screen-time-blocker/id6812209883)

This app intelligently blocks distracting applications by requiring users to earn screen time through physical activity. It offers workout immunity and allows unused time to roll over, promoting a healthier balance between digital habits and physical well-being.

**Highlights:** Earn screen time through physical activity, Workout immunity for active sessions, Intelligent app shielding, Screen-off audio doesn't count against time, Rest day grace period and reserves, Apple Watch and iOS widgets, 100% on-device privacy

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| EarnTime Full | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simplenote free?

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

### Is EarnTime free?

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

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

EarnTime is rated higher. Simplenote averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while EarnTime averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Simplenote or EarnTime have ads?

Neither Simplenote nor EarnTime shows ads.

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

Simplenote ships an update fortnightly, and EarnTime every 3 days. Most recently, Simplenote was updated on October 17, 2026 and EarnTime on October 9, 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.*