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Comparison · PM
NotePlan vs SmartSuite
A side-by-side editorial comparison of NotePlan and SmartSuite — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Shared themes:mcp
NotePlan vs SmartSuite: at a glance
| Feature | NotePlan | SmartSuite |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | PM | PM |
| Velocity score | 5.0 | 7.5 |
| Sparks · 30d | 0 | 0 |
| Top themes | plugin-platform, mcp, apple-ecosystem, voice-capture | mcp, governance, dashboards, no-code-platform |
| Last editorial update | 1mo ago | 7d ago |
| Website | Visit → | — |
What is NotePlan?
NotePlan keeps opening its notebook to outside writers: plugins, MCP agents, now Apple Reminders.
Two product lines ship in parallel. Memo AI reaches 1.3 with redesigned summaries carrying richer formatting, speaker labels for conversations, iCloud sync across devices and font themes — the first release to make a recording's transcript legible as a conversation rather than a block of text. On the main app, 3.21.2 remains the most recent, adding a two-way Apple Reminders integration via @remind, Space backups with restore, and calendar boards grouped by time frame.
What is SmartSuite?
SmartSuite's dashboard filters learn to exclude, as admin undo reaches deleted teams.
SmartSuite ships weekly on three fronts: AI access (a hosted MCP server and a refreshed model picker), admin governance (Managed Secrets with an audit trail, and now deleted teams that go to the Recycle Bin with their members) and dashboard depth. The latest release gives dynamic filter widgets an Is / Is Not operator that viewers can switch on the dashboard.
NotePlan vs SmartSuite: editorial side-by-side
NotePlan
5.0PM
NotePlan keeps opening its notebook to outside writers: plugins, MCP agents, now Apple Reminders.
◆ Current state
Two product lines ship in parallel. Memo AI reaches 1.3 with redesigned summaries carrying richer formatting, speaker labels for conversations, iCloud sync across devices and font themes — the first release to make a recording's transcript legible as a conversation rather than a block of text. On the main app, 3.21.2 remains the most recent, adding a two-way Apple Reminders integration via @remind, Space backups with restore, and calendar boards grouped by time frame.
◆ Where it's heading
The through-line is turning NotePlan into a surface other software writes into rather than a closed notebook: plugins became installable and then opened to the community, the MCP server gave agents write access to notes and tasks, and Apple Reminders now writes back rather than only feeding in. Memo AI is following its own arc in parallel — first capture anywhere, via Watch and CarPlay, then capture efficiently, via the smaller audio format, and now capture legibly, via speaker labels and structured summaries. iCloud sync is the piece that makes the two lines share a device story.
◆ Prediction
Expect Memo AI's speaker labels to become something the main app can act on — assigning tasks by speaker is the obvious next step given the @remind work — and the Reminders integration to leave beta. The plugin and MCP surfaces are where third-party capability keeps arriving.
SmartSuite's dashboard filters learn to exclude, as admin undo reaches deleted teams.
◆ Current state
SmartSuite ships weekly on three fronts: AI access (a hosted MCP server and a refreshed model picker), admin governance (Managed Secrets with an audit trail, and now deleted teams that go to the Recycle Bin with their members) and dashboard depth. The latest release gives dynamic filter widgets an Is / Is Not operator that viewers can switch on the dashboard.
◆ Where it's heading
The product is turning into a governed backend that scripts and AI agents operate, with credential controls and recoverable access structures. Dashboard and mobile parity work runs alongside as steady catch-up, removing the need for duplicate widgets and making admin actions reversible.
◆ Prediction
Expect more audit and access controls around automated actors, such as scoping which scripts or connections can use a secret, and further dashboard filter and mobile widget releases.
Alternatives to NotePlan and SmartSuite
Other PM products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either NotePlan or SmartSuite.
NocoBase
NocoBase's 3.0 betas rebuild agent conversations, dropping old start and fallback APIs.
RentRedi
RentRedi adds dark mode to its web app after a month of features for landlords who work with staff.
Rize
Rize ships its biggest release: a redesign, a web app, and an AI agent that sits across every view.
Tracecat
Tracecat 1.2.1 patches regressions left by the two-day 1.2 sprint.
Camunda
Camunda's 8.10 patch line is fixing data-loss bugs; the rest of the feed is release plumbing.
See all NotePlan alternatives → · See all SmartSuite alternatives →
Recent activity from NotePlan and SmartSuite
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 8d agoSmartSuiteFilter Widget: Multiple Operators in Dynamic Filters
- 8d agoSmartSuiteRecycle Bin: Restore Team
- 15d agoSmartSuiteManaged Secrets
- 15d agoSmartSuiteMobile: Data Schema Widget
- 22d agoSmartSuiteMobile: Pivot Table Widgets on Dashboards
- 22d agoSmartSuiteAI: Updated Supported Models
- 2mo agoNotePlanv1.3 - Memo AI: Redesigned Summaries, Speaker Labels & iCloud Sync
- 2mo agoNotePlanv3.21.2 - Apple Reminders Integration with Two-Way Sync
- 4mo agoNotePlanv3.21.1 - Wiki Link Aliases, Rebuilt Share Extension & Better Claude/MCP Support
- 4mo agoNotePlanv1.2.1 - Memo AI: Faster Transcription, 10× Smaller Recordings & Watch/CarPlay Refinements
- 5mo agoNotePlanv1.2 - Memo AI: Apple Watch and CarPlay support added and more Shortcuts available
- 5mo agoNotePlanv3.21 - Community Plugins, CommandBar Forms, Kanban and Tables upgrades
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between NotePlan and SmartSuite?
Both compete on the same themes — mcp — within PM. SmartSuite is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 7.5 vs 5.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is NotePlan better than SmartSuite?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. SmartSuite is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 7.5 vs 5.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other PM products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to NotePlan?
Top NotePlan alternatives in PM are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "NotePlan alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/noteplan for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to SmartSuite?
Top SmartSuite alternatives in PM are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "SmartSuite alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/smartsuite for the full list with editorial commentary on each.