Overview

AmpleNote is a productivity tool that deeply integrates note-taking with task management, founded by Michael C. in 2019 and headquartered in Berkeley, California (remote-first team). It is distinguished by unique calendar integration and bullet journal (BuJo) style task management, supporting rich text, Markdown, and nested tags so users can manage ideas, to-dos, and schedules in a single platform. Its tag system supports unlimited nesting, making it a representative choice for the notes-and-to-dos combined scenario in the productivity space.

Amplenote covers macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Web with real-time cloud sync, plus a REST API for automation and data interchange. Compared with Notion's all-in-one collaboration and Obsidian's local bidirectional links, Amplenote emphasizes a calendar-driven workflow that schedules tasks onto dates, favored by knowledge workers who value structured notes linked to their calendar.

Key Strengths

  • Notes + tasks + calendar in one: Notes and tasks can be dragged onto specific calendar dates, turning scattered ideas into time-bound action plans.
  • Flexible nested tags: Unlimited-depth tags (e.g., Work/ProjectA/Dev) let you organize and retrieve notes across any dimension, keeping thousands of notes manageable.
  • Rapid bullet journal capture: Simple symbols (• task / ○ event / — note) capture thoughts quickly with low mental friction.
  • Markdown and rich text: Code blocks, tables, and formulas are supported, with Cmd+K global search for instant lookup.
  • Cross-platform real-time sync: Cloud sync across macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Web for access and editing anywhere.

Product Ecosystem

Notes & Tasks

Rich text, Markdown, and bullet journal syntax with priority labels and due dates, deeply linked to note content.

Calendar (Time Planning)

Built-in calendar view maps notes and tasks onto a timeline with drag-and-drop scheduling for calendar-driven productivity.

Tag System

Unlimited nested tags with filtering, offering a more flexible organization dimension than folders for large note collections.

Jot Quick Capture

A lightweight capture entry for capturing thoughts anytime and filing them into the notes and tasks system later.

API Integration

A REST API for note creation, task sync, and data interchange with third-party tools to support automation.

Limitations

  • Dated interface: Compared with modern tools like Notion or Obsidian, the visual design is plain and collaboration capabilities are limited.
  • Weak team collaboration: Sharing and multi-user collaboration are basic, positioning Amplenote as a personal productivity tool rather than a team knowledge base.
  • Average mobile experience: Cold start and sync performance on mobile leave room for improvement; heavy use is better on desktop.
  • Limited plugin ecosystem: Without a rich third-party plugin marketplace, extensibility relies mostly on the API.

Use Cases

  • Personal knowledge management plus to-dos (★★★★★): Keep ideas, to-dos, and schedule in one place to reduce tool fragmentation.
  • Calendar-driven task planning (★★★★★): Drag tasks onto the calendar to form plans so the schedule truly guides action.
  • Large-scale structured notes （★★★★☆）: Nested tags fit organizing thousands of cross-project notes.
  • Team knowledge base collaboration （★★★☆☆）: Collaboration is limited, so team scenarios are better served with tools like Notion.

Pricing

Plan Price Highlights
Free $0 Basic notes, tasks, calendar, and tags
Plus ~$8/month (lower with annual billing) Unlimited tags, more attachments, advanced search

Note: Prices are public reference figures; check the official website for current rates.

FAQ

  • How do I choose between Amplenote, Notion, and Obsidian? Amplenote excels at lightweight notes+tasks+calendar integration; Notion at all-in-one collaboration and databases; Obsidian at local bidirectional links and knowledge graphs. For personal productivity, Amplenote is more focused; for team knowledge bases, see enterprise knowledge base setup.

  • How do nested tags work? Tags support unlimited nesting (e.g., Work/ProjectA/Dev) with sidebar expansion, filtering, and combined search, more flexible than folders. See knowledge base setup for structuring a knowledge system.

  • How do tasks link with the calendar? Tasks can be dragged onto specific calendar dates to form time plans, with the calendar view showing notes and to-dos for schedule-driven management. See project and time planning guide for calendar-driven planning.

  • Does Amplenote have a free plan? Yes, the free tier covers core notes, tasks, calendar, and tags; the paid plan unlocks unlimited tags and more advanced capabilities. For more free tool comparisons, see productivity tool comparison.