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Note CargovsSimplenote

Note Cargo vs Simplenote: Which is better? (2026)

Simplenote is a free, minimalist note-taking app by Automattic with Markdown support and cross-platform sync.

TL;DRSimplenote is a stripped-down, free note app focused on speed and simplicity. It supports Markdown, syncs across all platforms, and stores notes on Automattic's servers.

Note Cargo is self-hosted, stores plain Markdown files in your own S3/R2 bucket, and gives you full control over your data.

Simplenote wins on zero cost and effortless setup. Note Cargo wins on data ownership, self-hosting, and not relying on a third-party cloud.

18
Note Cargo wins
11
Tied
16
Simplenote wins
Feature
Note Cargo Note Cargo
Simplenote Simplenote
Pricing
Starting price
$4
Free
Pricing model
One-Time
Free
Demo/Trial
✓
✓
Data & Privacy
You own your storage
✓
✗
Doesn't train on your notes
✓
✓
Open source
✓
✓
Sync All Devices
✓
✓
Device Theft Resistant
✓
✓
Unlimited Storage
✓
✓
Platform
Web app
✓
✓
Mobile app
✗
✓
Desktop app
✗
✓
Offline access
✗
✓
Bloated Features
✗
✗
MCP Support
✓
✗
Markdown & Portability
Markdown support
✓
✓
Export Data
✓
✓
Notes Linking
✓
✗
Codeblock
✓
✗
Collaboration
Real-time collaboration
✗
✓
Note sharing
✗
✓
Self-Hosting
Self-hostable
✓
✗
Low RAM usage
✓
✓
Modifiable code
✓
✓
No Database
✓
✗
Zero Dependency
✓
✗

Ready to switch to Note Cargo?

Self-hosted, Markdown-native, stored in your own S3/R2. One-time payment, no subscriptions.

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