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Feature checklists make every tool look equivalent. This table leads with the three things that actually differ — what it costs you before it works, whether your files leave your device, and where the free version stops.
| Simplenotesimplenote.com | Google Keepkeep.google.com | Standard Notesstandardnotes.com | aNotepadanotepad.com | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Plain-text notes that sync everywhere and never ask you to format anything | Sticky notes that sync with your Google account and can read a photo | Encrypted notes where the sync server only ever holds ciphertext | Opens straight into a blank note you can type in without signing up |
| What it costs you | Free accountFree to use, but you have to register before it will do the job. | Free accountFree to use, but you have to register before it will do the job. | Free tierA genuinely usable free tier with paid plans for volume or team features. | No sign-upWorks the moment the page loads. No account, no email, no trial. |
| Your files | Runs on their server | Runs on their server | Runs on their server | Runs on their server |
| Where it stops | Text only — there is no way to attach an image or a file to a note. | There are no folders or nesting — only labels and colours, which stops scaling after a few hundred notes. | The free plan is plain text only — editors, attachments and revision history need a subscription. | Notes written without an account are readable by anyone with the link, and attachments are a paid feature. |
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| Category | Notes, Tasks & Focus | Notes, Tasks & Focus | Notes, Tasks & Focus | Notes, Tasks & Focus |
| Last checked | 2026-07-29 | 2026-07-29 | 2026-07-29 | 2026-07-29 |
| Open the site | Open | Open | Open | Open |
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