💡 Pick it for a free, full-featured option that syncs seamlessly across Apple devices.
Apple's built-in note-taking app for iOS and macOS devices.
Best Sidenote Alternatives ranked by AI · updated Aug 2026
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SideNotes is a macOS note-taking utility for users who want quick access to temporary or persistent notes without opening a full app. It keeps notes in a hidden side panel that appears when you move the pointer to the edge of the screen.
Top 6 Sidenote alternatives
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💡 Pick it for linked, local-first knowledge management instead of simple always-available notes.
Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files.
Pros
- Bi-directional linking
- Graph view for connections
Cons
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Some features are behind a paywall
Freemium
💡 Pick it for a polished Apple-only writing app with better tagging and Markdown support.
Bear is a Markdown-based notes app with web clipping and annotation tools for Apple devices. It targets writers and personal knowledge workers...
Pros
- Polished Markdown editor and note organization
- Web captures become editable notes rather than static bookmarks
- Excellent tagging, search, and Apple platform integration
Cons
- Limited to Apple platforms compared with MarkDownload
- Web clipping is tied to the Bear notes ecosystem
- Sync and advanced export require a Pro subscription
Freemium, Pro from $2.99/mo
💡 Pick it for an open-source, cross-platform alternative with encrypted sync and Markdown.
Joplin is an open-source note-taking app with end-to-end encryption support.
💡 Pick it for free, minimal notes that sync across platforms without a one-time purchase.
Simplenote is a note-taking application with a clean and minimalistic interface, available on multiple platforms.
💡 Pick it when notes need to include documents, scans, web research, and broader workspace features.
Evernote is a popular note-taking app that allows users to capture, organize, and share notes across devices.
Free basic version, Premium plans starting at $7.99/month
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