The 7 Best Notepad for Mac: Top Picks for Efficiency

Online notepad is a classic tool many people rely on for taking quick notes, drafting ideas, or jotting down reminders. While Notepad itself isn’t available for Mac in its original Windows form, Mac users have the built-in TextEdit as a simple and effective alternative.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Notepad for Mac, from the best native apps to third-party options, and how you can maximize your note-taking experience.

Is there a Notepad app on Mac?

Mac comes with a built-in text editing application called TextEdit, which serves as a basic text editor similar to Notepad. Though it doesn’t have all the features of more advanced applications, it’s perfect for quick notes and simple text manipulation, with no downloads required.

Here’s what you can expect from TextEdit:

• Basic Text Editing: Like Notepad, TextEdit allows you to create and edit plain text files without any formatting.
• Rich Text Support: Unlike Notepad, TextEdit also supports rich text formatting (bold, italics, etc.), giving you more flexibility for document creation.
• Compatibility: TextEdit can open and save documents in multiple formats, including .txt, .rtf, and .html.

While the default notepad for mac, TextEdit, is a good alternative for basic note-taking, you might want more functionality. That’s where third-party apps come in.

What is the Best Notepad for Mac?

If you need more features like organization, syncing, or enhanced text formatting, there are several third-party apps that can provide a better experience.

Here are some top Notepad alternatives for Mac:

1. Notes & Reminders in Wave Browser

While there are several great Notepad alternatives for Mac, if you’re a Wave Browser user, you already have access to a powerful tool right in your sidebar. Wave Browser’s Notes & Reminders feature is perfect for anyone who needs to jot down quick notes without leaving the window tab.

Here’s why you should consider using this feature of Wave Browser:

• Integrated: It’s built directly into Wave Browser, so there’s no need to switch between apps.
• Easy Access: Create and access notes quickly from the sidebar while browsing.
• Reminders: Set reminders to keep track of important tasks and deadlines.
• Free: No extra cost – just one of the many built-in features that make Wave Browser a convenient tool for everyday use.

Wave Browser’s Notes & Reminders offer an efficient and seamless way to manage your notes and stay productive while browsing the web. With everything in one place, you won’t have to worry about switching apps to stay on top of your tasks.

2. Apple Notes

Apple’s native Notes app is often overlooked but offers a robust solution for taking quick notes and organizing them. It's a great option if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem.

• Features: Organize notes in folders, add images, checklists, and attachments.
• Syncing: Automatically syncs with iCloud, making your notes available across all your Apple devices.
• Free: Apple Notes is free and included with macOS.

3. Sublime text

• Speed: Sublime Text is fast, even with large files, making it ideal for developers.
• Customizability: Easily tweak the interface with themes, packages, and plugins.
• Multi-Editing: Edit multiple lines at once and boost productivity with keyboard shortcuts.

4. Evernote

Evernote is one of the most popular note-taking apps available across platforms. It’s perfect for those who need to store and organize a large number of notes and ideas.

• Features: Organize notes in notebooks, add tags, insert images, and save web clippings.
• Syncing: Automatically syncs your notes across devices.
• Free & Paid Versions: The free version offers plenty of functionality, but the premium version adds even more features like offline access and increased storage.

5. Notion

Notion is a highly customizable all-in-one workspace that offers more than just note-taking. It combines notes, tasks, databases, and more, which makes it ideal for users who need a flexible and organized system.

• Features: Templates for project management, collaboration features, markdown support, and database options.
• Syncing: Sync your notes across all your devices seamlessly.
• Free & Paid Versions: The free version is robust, but the paid versions unlock additional features like unlimited storage.

6. Simplenote

Simplenote is the perfect solution for those who want a clean, no-frills note-taking app. It’s simple, fast, and free.

• Features: Supports plain text notes, tags for organization, and syncs your notes across all devices.
• Syncing: Automatically syncs across devices, ensuring your notes are available wherever you go.
• Free: Simplenote is 100% free with no premium features.

7. Editpad

Editpad is a simple yet powerful online notepad and AI toolkit perfect for quick text editing, content drafting, and content optimization. It’s an excellent choice for Mac users looking for a lightweight, browser-based alternative to native apps.

• Features: Editpad allows you to write and edit plain text, count words/characters, and even check grammar or plagiarism. It also includes tools for paraphrasing and summarizing content.
• Syncing: Since it’s entirely browser-based, Editpad doesn’t offer traditional syncing. However, you can access it from any device with internet access, making it effectively cross-platform and highly accessible.
• Free & Paid Versions: Editpad is free to use with access to all basic tools. However, to elevate functionality, you must upgrade to the premium packages.

While macOS doesn’t have an exact replica of Notepad, there are plenty of great alternatives that provide much more functionality. Whether you need something simple like TextEdit, or a more advanced app like Evernote, Notion, or Bear, there’s a solution for everyone.

However, if you're looking for an easy, integrated solution on your MacBook, Wave Browser’s Notes & Reminders are an excellent option. It’s free, easy to access, and keeps all your notes right at your fingertips while browsing.