Alternatives · Note-Taking
SideNotes alternatives
SideNotes compared with 8 alternatives: Tot, Antinote, Stickier, Drafts, Apple Notes and 3 more.
SideNotes is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac. 5 of the 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
8 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| SideNotesThis tool | Free trial · from $9.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Tot | Free plan · from $19.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Antinote | Free trial · from $5 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Stickier | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Drafts | Free plan · from $1.99/mo | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Apple Notes | Free | Free | Web, macOS, iOS |
| Notchkin | From $4.99 one-time | No | macOS |
| Noticky | Free plan · from $4.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Quick Note | Free trial · from $12.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
How each one differs from SideNotes
- Free plan · from $19.99 one-time
Tot
Seven-note text scratchpad for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
- Tot starts at $19.99 one-time in-app purchase, per platform. SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
- Tot has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
- SideNotes also covers tasks.
Suits: Mac and iPhone users who want a scratchpad for short-lived text
- Free trial · from $5 one-time
Antinote
Mac scratchpad for temporary notes, quick math and checklists
- Antinote starts at $5 one-time purchase. SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
- Only SideNotes lists an iOS app.
- Antinote also covers Pomodoro timer and calculator.
- SideNotes also covers Markdown and tasks.
Suits: Mac users who want a throwaway pad beside their main notes app
- Free plan · from $4.99 one-time
Stickier
Sticky notes for Mac with iCloud sync and an iPhone companion app
- Stickier starts at $4.99 one-time purchase for the iPhone and iPad app. SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
- Stickier has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
- SideNotes also covers Markdown and tasks.
Suits: Mac users who want floating sticky notes that sync through iCloud
- Free plan · from $1.99/mo
Drafts
Quick-capture notes app for Apple devices with text actions
- Drafts starts at $1.99 per month, or $19.99 per year. SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
- Drafts has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
- SideNotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Drafts also covers transcription, dictation and workflow automation.
- SideNotes also covers tasks and menu bar app.
Suits: Jotting text down quickly on iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch
- Free
Apple Notes
Apple's free notes app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and the web
- Apple Notes is free. SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
- Apple Notes has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Apple Notes lists a web app.
- SideNotes can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Apple Notes also covers transcription and linked notes.
Suits: People who use only Apple devices
- From $4.99 one-time
Notchkin
Local notes panel that drops down from the MacBook notch
- Notchkin starts at $4.99 one-time. SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
- Only SideNotes lists an iOS app.
- SideNotes also covers Markdown, tasks and menu bar app.
Suits: MacBook users who want a scratchpad without another window
- Free plan · from $4.99 one-time
Noticky
Sticky notes for Mac that stay on top, even in fullscreen
- Noticky starts at $4.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $9.99 one-time for Mac. SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
- Noticky has a free plan. SideNotes does not, though it has a free trial.
- Noticky also covers templates and screenshots.
- SideNotes also covers tasks.
Suits: Keeping a note in view above a fullscreen app on the Mac
- Free trial · from $12.99 one-time
Quick Note
Menu bar sticky notes that float above other Mac windows
- Quick Note starts at $12.99 one-time. SideNotes starts at $9.99 one-time for iPhone and iPad; $19.99 one-time for Mac.
- SideNotes also covers Markdown and tasks.
Suits: Mac users who want a note visible on top of the window they work in
Limits worth knowing in SideNotes
- Apple platforms only: the Mac app needs macOS 13 or later, and SideNotes Mobile needs iOS or iPadOS 17.
- SideNotes Mobile is a separate $9.99 purchase and lacks the Mac app's file shortcuts and backups.
- The payment covers version 1.x. The vendor says SideNotes 2 will be a paid upgrade, discounted for owners and free for those who bought in the prior 6 months.
- A free trial is offered, but the site does not say how long it lasts.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to SideNotes?
The alternatives to SideNotes in this directory are Tot, Antinote, Stickier, Drafts, Apple Notes, Notchkin, Noticky and Quick Note. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with SideNotes.
Is there a free alternative to SideNotes?
Yes. Apple Notes is free to use. Tot, Stickier, Drafts and Noticky have a free plan alongside paid ones.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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