SimpleList vs markdown notes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SimpleList
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In a world filled with list apps—ToDo lists, shopping lists, and more—there's no shortage of wonderful features that make these apps incredibly useful. But do you really use all those features? This app keeps it simple, both in functionality and design. ・Add items and display them in a list. ・You can tag each item with up to three tags. ・Swipe right to archive and keep a history. ・Swipe left to delete items you no longer need. I・tems in the history are automatically deleted after about a month. Need a reminder feature? Isn't setting a timer every time cumbersome? Want more types of tags? Isn't deciding and managing what each tag means too much hassle? There's freedom in limitations. While this app may have limited features, it doesn't limit how you use it. Feel free to give it a try.
markdown notes
A minimalist Markdown editor that stores all your notes as plain text files, accessible across your devices. It offers beautiful writing tools, seamless cloud sync, and powerful organization features without any bloat.
- Plain .md file storage
- iCloud Drive sync
- Markdown syntax highlighting
- Task list checkboxes
- Folder and instant search organization
- Menu bar app on Mac
- Export to PDF, HTML, RTF (Pro)
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Smolpad is a smol Markdown editor with respect for your files. Every note is a plain .md file you can open with any app, on any device, forever. Your files are your own. No database. No lock-in. No bloat. Just a tiny, fast home for your notes on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. WRITE IN MARKDOWN, BEAUTIFULLY • Syntax dims as you type, or hides away entirely with one tap • Task lists become real checkboxes. Checkboxes that check. • Headings, bold, italic, code, quotes, and tables, styled as you write • A formatting bar for common touches, plus full keyboard shortcuts • Pictures too: drag or paste one in, resize it by its corner, and it lives as a plain file beside the note YOUR FILES, ANYWHERE • Notes sync through your own iCloud Drive, included free • Open your notes folder in Finder or Files any time • Organize with folders, pins, and instant search • A Trash for deleted notes, and a history of every note's earlier versions • Find notes in Spotlight, and open them with Siri or Shortcuts • Your notes never leave your devices except to your own cloud SMOL ON PURPOSE • On the Mac, Smolpad lives in your menu bar, one hotkey away • Tear off a note into its own window when you want to stay a while • On iPhone and iPad, it opens fast and stays out of your way • Eight hand-picked fonts and a clean, quiet interface MAKE IT YOURS WITH SMOLPAD PRO • Unlimited notes (the free tier includes ten) • Dropbox, pCloud, or Google Drive sync, in a folder that belongs to you • Export to PDF, HTML, or rich text, and print • Home Screen widgets on iPhone and iPad, Lock Screen widgets on iPhone, and Smolpad on Apple Watch • Twenty-nine editor themes, from Tokyo Night to Catppuccin • Seventeen app icons and the full menu bar icon set Smolpad Pro is available as a monthly or yearly subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase. The free tier is a real notes app, not a trial. Made by a smol team that believes plain text outlives everything. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://smolpad.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SimpleList at none against markdown notes's 3. SimpleList also leads on iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.0). markdown notes's advantage is device support. On price 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. markdown notes sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. SimpleList asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | SimpleList | markdown notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 10 days |
| Ads | — | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | — | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 0 MB | 73 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Shuta Uto | BaconWorks, LLC |
In-app purchases
SimpleList
No in-app purchases
markdown notes
- Smolpad Pro$1.491 Month
- Smolpad Pro7 Days trial$14.991 Year
- Smolpad Pro Lifetime$29.99









