Simple Memo vs UpNote
Which Should You Choose?
Consider UpNote for editing and organizing notes inside one app across devices. Consider Simple Memo when you want to capture a short note for your own inbox or configured Obsidian destination. Compare the entry point, destination and export path using the same note.
Updated September 9, 2026. The author develops Simple Memo. This comparison uses the official sources below; it does not report a controlled speed test or a user preference survey.
Compare workflows and destinations
| Topic | Simple Memo | UpNote |
|---|---|---|
| Starting a note | Write and send; verify the result at the destination. | New-note button or desktop shortcut, with autosave. |
| Organization and formatting | Capture and deliver short notes; continue editing at the destination. | Notebooks, tags, rich text and Markdown formatting shortcuts. |
| Free allowance | Three sends per day; check the pricing page for Premium-only features. | Up to 50 notes with basic organization, formatting and sync. |
| Paid plans | Premium is ¥500/month in Japan; check the purchase screen for local terms. | The official site lists US$1.99/month or US$39.99 Lifetime; region and tax can differ. |
| Offline and other devices | Distinguish pending Outbox items from arrival in email or Obsidian. | Read and write offline; signed-in devices sync after reconnection. |
| Protection scope | On-device AES-GCM and mailbox protection are separate; this is not an email E2EE guarantee. | Encryption in transit and at rest; note locking is not E2EE. |
| Portability | Check delivered mail or destination files; email delivery is not two-way UpNote sync. | Export to Text, PDF, HTML or Markdown; check Premium requirements for each format. |
UpNote also offers a direct capture route
On mobile, use the blue new-note button below the list. The first line becomes the title, so a separate title field is not required. On desktop, use Cmd/Ctrl + N. From another app, use Cmd + Option + N on Mac or Ctrl + Alt + N on Windows/Linux to open a new note window.
Do not calculate a speed advantage by assuming notebook selection is mandatory every time. Create one note through your usual entry point and find it again. If your workflow ends in an inbox, include reading the delivered Simple Memo message in the comparison.
Check the limit, purchase type and cancellation
The free plan allows up to 50 notes. Check Premium requirements for attachments, locking, importing, and PDF or Markdown export. Use the price shown in your regional store for either monthly or Lifetime access. Purchase on Mac, iOS or Android, then sign in with the same UpNote account on Windows/Linux; direct upgrades are not offered there.
After a monthly subscription expires, existing notes remain accessible, but you cannot create new ones above the 50-note limit and some export features are unavailable. If you plan to migrate, test the required export format while the subscription is active.
Test Evernote links and attachments before migration
The desktop app imports Evernote ENEX files. Export each original notebook separately and enable “Use file name as notebook” to create the corresponding groups; arrange nesting after import. When converting tags to hashtags, special characters may become hyphens.
Evernote internal links still open Evernote rather than becoming UpNote links. Attachments above 20 MB or notes above 300,000 characters may fail to import. Inspect colors and layout, and retain the original ENEX. Bulk imports that would exceed 20,000 notes or 10 GB of attachments are limited to 50 notes per batch.
Separate sync from a recoverable copy
Automatic backups are local to Mac, Windows and Linux. Defaults are once a day with up to 50 days retained; check frequency, location and attachment settings. If you mainly use mobile, confirm that notes have synced to a desktop and a backup exists. Do not edit the managed files inside its backup folder.
For another app, export a small sample as Markdown or HTML and open the text, images and links. Having a backup does not prove another app can reproduce every feature. Messages delivered by Simple Memo also depend on your email provider’s storage, retention and backup settings.
UpNote: export formats and controls
Without signing in, UpNote keeps notes on the device; syncing adds storage on Firebase servers in the US. Encryption in transit and at rest, or an app lock, should not be treated as end-to-end encryption that prevents the service from decrypting content.
Five checks from the free plan to migration
- Choose one representative short note and enter it using your usual device and entry point.
- Find it as if returning the next day, add a line, and check its destination.
- Open the needed note, read and edit offline, then check another device after reconnection.
- If importing is necessary, first check the Premium features and purchase terms. Once you have access, import a small sample with images, attachments and internal links, then compare with the original.
- Export in a format available under your plan, then check the files and backup location before a full migration.
Start with UpNote alone if you want to keep editing inside the notes app. Consider Simple Memo if you process work in email. Moving received mail into UpNote requires a separate copy or supported import step; using both apps does not establish an automatic integration.
Frequently asked questions
What does UpNote cost now?
What happens at the free 50-note limit?
Must I select a notebook before every new note?
Does UpNote work offline?
Is note locking end-to-end encryption?
Do Evernote internal links migrate too?
Related Pages
References
- UpNote Official Site
- PCMag Best Note-Taking Apps
- UpNote on the App Store
- G2 UpNote Reviews