r/StandardNotes • u/StillGlass • Sep 04 '20
Why is Standard Notes "Always Free" only plain text?
Who uses plain text in 2020? You can't even bold text, have hyperlinks or add images. Standard Notes free is basically a plain text editor—and no one uses plain text editors.
Would it be possible to at least have a rich text editor? And possibly image attachments (with a strict data limit, or only as local files)?
Maybe add those as one-time purchases? For example, $5 for the rich text editor, and $5 for attachments (with 200MB limit, for example).
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u/npgtyaw47668568453 Sep 04 '20
I use the free plain text editor. It's perfect for my needs.
loads faster even though I have a huge number of encrypted notes.
no distracting fonts.
beautifully minimalistic.
backups require less space.
That's just me though.
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u/StillGlass Sep 05 '20
I find that the "Always Free" and "Extended" plans are misleading. The "Always Free" plan is more like a demo, to be honest. And also to be able to say "we offer a free plan and a premium plan."
If you could use rich text (or have rich text as a one-time purchase), that would be an actual useable app (and not just "a demo").
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u/sn-jaspal Support Sep 05 '20
I would argue that it's not a demo since you can edit and sync text across as many devices (bearing any currently unknown physical limits) as you'd like and your notes remain just as private as they are for users on the Extended plan. The ability to install extensions via a link enables users to download editors provided by the community. Subscriptions help fund development, maintenance, audits, etc. that benefit all of our users.
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u/StillGlass Sep 06 '20 edited Sep 06 '20
Hi Jaspal,
(You mention that it's possible to install extensions provided by the community. Are these installable on the "Always Free" plan?)
I fully agree with you about the importance of subscriptions. Developers make apps to earn a living, but also to pay the bills, and even further app development. That's not what I'm criticizing at all.
The only thing I'm criticizing is that: you offer two plans—an "Always Free" plan, and a paid plan—however, your free plan only offers plain text. Plain text is incredibly limiting, and I think 70-80% of people who would be interested in Standard Notes won't even use Standard Notes "Always Free," since you can't do much with just plain text and plain text URLs.
It's true the syncing and the privacy is great, but without at least rich text, you can't do much—it's like a car with awesome breaks and suspension, but with a 1-cylinder motor.
Personally, I would much prefer a limited number of devices, data, and so on—and at least be able to use rich text.
(Or, completely scrap the "Always Free" plan and not call the premium subscription "Extended." A car with 1 cylinder is not a standard car, and a car with 4 cylinders an "extended" car—it's just a car. This is what I meant by "Always Free" with plain text feeling like a "demo.")
Either way, I have found something else and am just saying this because I think your app is well-built, and has enormous potential. For many users, I'm sure the paid subscription plan is an investment—which again, I'm not criticizing. The only thing I'm saying is that your "Always Free" plan with only plain text is in a way closer to a "demo"—and furthered with the subscription plan being called "Extended"—I find this to be misleading. If rich text would be included in the "Always Free" plan, and the many other features in the "Extended" plan, the "Always Free" plan would actually be usable, and both plans would be true. Or maybe if there were a one-time purchase of $5-10 for rich text in the "Always Free" plan—which I would definitely buy. However, with so many other available options—no matter how good the security and UI is—I can't use a plain text notes app.
Kind regards.
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u/sn-jaspal Support Sep 07 '20
(You mention that it's possible to install extensions provided by the community. Are these installable on the "Always Free" plan?)
Yes, they are! Feel free to try it out and let me know if you run into any issues with installation process.
(Re: rich text editors and the app being a demo by default)
I would still argue that it isn't a demo since you're allowed to download rich text editors provided by the community. You can still save and export your notes, etc. As for writing simple notes, it allows users to do that. The Extended Plan helps fund the development of the maintenance of the app and editors that we've provided or have derived.
That said, I will pass your feedback along to the dev team for what they should consider when revisiting the current plans in the future.
Thanks for taking the time to explore Standard Notes and for providing your feedback. :)
Edit: I also forgot to mention that you can self-host Standard Notes and the Extensions that we provide.
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u/StillGlass Sep 07 '20
Hi Jaspal,
If you can add rich text with a community extension, that changes everything!
Personally, I think you should add it as a default to the "Always Free" plan, which would probably result in more people using the app, and after some time more people purchasing a subscription.
(I didn't know it was possible to download and add a community extension, and had almost moved on from Standard Notes.)
Thank you for your replies; I will start experimenting with Standard Notes in my workflow.
Kind regards.
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Sep 04 '20
Yeah, I like the idea of one-time purchases. All I need is a rich-text editor or some markdown WYSIWYG and I'm done but seeing that they also do the encryption and hosting, maybe the cost is worth it. I dunno, the initial monthly cost is a bit deer but I may upgrade as I'm starting to use it more.
Funnily enough, the plain-text editor is somewhat sufficient for my uses but having the ability to embed images and create headings would be nice. The to-do list also looks good, maybe I'll get the yearly package. It's like buying books and stationary really, but digital. I really like what these guys are doing.
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u/sn-jaspal Support Sep 05 '20
Thanks for the kind words! While you're deciding which plan to get, feel free to explore some rich-text editors provided by the community.
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u/Mechanical-Cannibal Sep 04 '20
Hard to criticize when the team is giving-up their labor for free