If you just transitioned to macOS, but are longing for the comfort of a familiar notetaking program like NotePad for Mac, fear not! We’ve scoured the internet and found some great alternatives that will fit your needs.
Mac users can enjoy the sweet taste of Windows NotePad by installing and running Parallels. It’s a revolutionary software that allows them to use both macOS and Windows simultaneously. However, if you don’t want to install Windows on your Mac, here are some Notepad alternatives for you.
Why Do You Need a NotePad for Mac?
You may be wondering why one would need a notepad when there are so many excellent notetaking apps available. Notepads are perfect for when you need to quickly jot down important information, such as an email address or phone number that your boss may have mentioned.
After deliberating the use cases, I have discovered several excellent notetaking app substitutes for macOS to help you take lecture notes and meeting minutes faster.
10 Best Notepad Alternatives for Mac
1. TextEdit – A Built-in Alternative to Notepad on Mac
If you’re a Mac user who needs to write short snippets of text, TextEdit is the perfect program for you. It provides an easy-to-use workspace and offers more capabilities than Notepad in a convenient built-in package.
With support for rich text formatting, customizable fonts and sizes, and import/export capabilities, TextEdit enables users to go beyond the basics without installing third-party programs.
Furthermore, there are options for automating document tasks like changing cases or using advanced search and replace functions. These features make it an especially powerful tool when some quick editing is needed.
Whether you’re writing a math equation, jotting down a grocery list, or composing an email, TextEdit can provide the functionality you need all within one program.
Pricing
- Free for macOS users
2. Sublime Text – An Advanced Code Editor with Syntax Highlighting
Sublime Text is an indispensable tool for users who want to make the most of their Mac and its coding capabilities. It doesn’t only facilitate notetaking with its intuitive organized style, but Sublime Text also offers more advanced user settings, such as syntax highlighting. This enables users to write sophisticated code faster than ever – a great boon for developers.
Sublime Text also features customizable shortcuts and multiple selections that allow you to work at astonishing speeds while keeping errors down. With these features and many more, it’s no wonder why Sublime Text is quickly becoming the go-to choice for developing powerful applications on Mac systems.
Pricing
- Free for macOS users
3. Atom – A Powerful Open Source Code Editor by GitHub
Atom, by GitHub, is quickly becoming a must-have tool for Mac users. An incredibly powerful open-source code editor and notetaking app, Atom is redefining the way teams and individuals work together.
Whether you’re working on one project at a time or multiple projects across different platforms or languages, Atom makes it easy to find and analyze any piece of code in no time.
The app also allows users to customize the interface with themes, keybindings, and smart autocompletion that make coding a breeze. What’s more, Atom is free and easy enough to install in just minutes – making it an excellent choice for those wanting to save time and money yet still get the job done right.
Pricing
- Free for macOS users
4. BBEdit – The Most Comprehensive Text and HTML Editor for Macs
BBEdit is the most comprehensive text and HTML editor for Macs on the market. It provides an incredibly powerful set of tools to help users edit standard text, HTML, and scripting languages such as PHP, JavaScript, Objective-C, and CSS with ease.
BBEdit stands out among other notetaking apps available to Mac users, with options for over 100 programming languages and support for advanced project management capabilities.
Features such as a built-in file comparison make it easier to detect differences between multiple versions of the same script or web page and then store them in one convenient location.
Enduringly popular among professionals across different industries and skill levels alike, BBEdit is one of the most reliable tools available when it comes to all aspects of editing text on your Mac computer.
Pricing
- Free for macOS users, Advanced mode costs $49.99
5. Ulysses III– An Easy-to-Use Writing App for Writers and Bloggers
Ulysses III is a powerful notetaking app designed exclusively for Mac computers that allow users to organize their ideas in one unified library. With unique features like sheet links and advanced search options, users can quickly create a paperless workspace so they can store and cross-reference content in just a few clicks.
The app helps reduce distractions and keeps digital clutter to a minimum, so nothing gets lost in the shuffle. Additionally, each file is secured with an encryption system so sensitive data remains safely stored.
With Ulysses III, Mac users can easily create visually appealing documents, write at top speed, and organize their materials with ultimate efficiency.
Pricing
- $5.99 per month, $39.99 per year. A free trial is available for each plan.
6. Tot – A Simple Markdown Editor with iCloud Sync
Are you looking for an efficient way to create, edit and organize documents? If so, Tot is the perfect solution. As a clean and simple markdown editor with built-in iCloud sync capabilities, Tot is ideal for users who are serious about productivity.
With seamless integration of iCloud and a wide variety of features, you will be able to keep your notes organized and access them from anywhere easily.
The desktop version of the software works flawlessly on macOS to help you devise the perfect workflow without sacrificing user experience. Whether you want to jot down quick thoughts or craft complex documents, Tot is the perfect solution, thanks to its lightning-fast performances and intuitive design.
Pricing
- Free for macOS users
7. iNotepad – A Notepad App For Increased Productivity
iNotepad is the ultimate productivity and notetaking app for Mac users. It is a highly efficient notepad that allows you to quickly jot down ideas, make detailed notes, or keep track of tasks on your Mac.
This powerful application automates many of the tedious processes associated with taking notes by providing easy-to-use features like creating custom folders and organizing drafts in multiple formats. You can also store and access notes anytime with the cloud storage integration feature.
You can edit the text in multiple windows at once while keeping an eye on the main window for other tasks. Need to edit images? Just double-click. This app will instantly pull up your notes and text with convenient search tags and its navigable ‘Recents’ option.
Pricing
- $39.99. Free trial available.
8. Simplenote – A Lightweight Note Taking App from Automattic
Simplenote from Automattic makes taking notes on a Mac simple and intuitive. It comes with a variety of features, including a clean and clear design that lets you find notes easily via searchable tags. With support available for other Apple devices, sharing your thoughts and ideas has never been more convenient.
The user interface is elegantly designed and provides checklists for an effective way to stay organized and on top of your tasks. Simplenote is your perfect companion for storing ideas, creating to-do lists, taking notes, and more – all in one convenient place.
Also, Simplenote regularly syncs your data across all devices, so you’ll never lose a thought or idea again. Try it today and see how easy it is to stay organized with Simplenote.
Pricing
- Free for macOS users.
9. Notebooks – An Advanced Notetaking App That Syncs with iCloud
The app makes note-taking easy and accessible, no HTML background is required. Every individual entry is securely stored as an HTML file on your computer. So rest assured that all of your important notes are safe.
Refreshing like Evernote, Notebooks offers a three-pane view – notebooks, documents within the notebook, and the current note. This amazing platform allows you to easily organize your thoughts and notes for better productivity.
To maximize the potential of this app, double-click any note to open it in its window. This grants you the ability to work on multiple notes all at once or even have a small side window while researching online concurrently.
Pricing
- $39.99
10. Evernote–An All-In-One Productivity Tool that Can Capture Ideas Anywhere You Go
Evernote is a popular productivity tool available for mac users that integrates seamlessly to help you work more efficiently than ever before. From managing notes and ideas to capturing tasks and organizing projects, Evernote makes it easy to organize personal projects as well as collaborate with your team.
It is becoming increasingly popular because of its convenience in synchronizing across all devices and its ability to help keep information organized. Creating checklists and reminders, recording audio notes, or adding visuals helps ensure that the user can quickly access their most important projects wherever they go.
A comprehensive navigation system allows users to find anything in seconds, exponentially increasing productivity without hunting for resources. With Evernote’s innovative approach, mac users can gain an advantage over their competition through increased organizational efficiency and collaboration, enabling them to move ahead.
Pricing
- Basic (free)
- Premium ($7.99 per month or $69.99 per year)
- Business ($14.99 per month per person)
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
1. Is there a NotePad on Mac?
Are you looking for a NotePad alternative for Mac? Look no further than TextEdit – Apple’s default text editor. It is simple to use and allows you to make changes in HTML. The best part of it? It comes free with every single Mac.
2. Is TextEdit the same as Notepad?
No, TextEdit is a Notepad alternative. It does feature some similar features, such as opening and saving plain text documents, but it doesn’t offer the same level of simplicity or the same range of features.
3. What is the best Notepad for macOS?
If you’re looking for a new Notepad app to install on your MacBook, Tot and Sublime Text are the perfect ones. But before doing so, make sure to check out the built-in Text Editor. It’s simple yet effective enough to get all of your notetaking needs done in no time.
Conclusion
Organizing projects and tasks can be a chore, but with the right tools and apps, it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re looking for something basic or more advanced, there is an app out there that will fit your needs.
From Evernote to Simplenote and Notebooks, each platform offers a unique feature set that can help you get your projects done faster and more efficiently. So, find the one that works for you, and make notetaking easier today.
