Smolpad AlternativesNote-taking Tools and other similar apps like Smolpad

Smolpad is described as 'Menubar-first Markdown notes app for macOS, with companion apps for iPhone and iPad (universal purchase). Click the menu bar icon and a notes panel drops down; type, and everything autosaves as plain .md files stored in the user's own iCloud Drive or Dropbox' and is a Note-taking tool in the file management category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Smolpad for a variety of platforms, including Mac, iPhone, iPad, Windows and Web-based apps. The best Smolpad alternative is Obsidian, which is free. Other great apps like Smolpad are Simplenote, Bear, Itsypad and iA Writer.

More about Smolpad
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Alternatives
Get a badge for your siteSmolpad alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Obsidian icon

    Obsidian

     1223 likes

    Privacy-oriented note-taking app for non-linear thinking, blending knowledge graph creation with wiki-style linking. Supports Markdown, end-to-end encryption, and plugins for customization. Offers distraction-free mode, tags, themes, syntax highlighting, and operates offline without tracking.

    348 Obsidian alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • AppImage
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • CA flagCanada
    Obsidian screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  2. Simplenote icon

    Simplenote

     612 likes

    Cloud-based, open-source note-taking app supporting plain text notes, lists, and ideas with real-time sync, multi-device support, version history, markdown, tagging, collaborative editing, no ads, and free registration required for all cloud features.

    194 Simplenote alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • US flagUnited States
    Simplenote screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  4. Bear icon

    Bear

     102 likes

    Flexible note-taking and writing tool featuring advanced markdown with in-line images, cross-note links, live preview, hashtags, Focus Mode, plain text storage, iCloud sync, one-tap formatting, smart data recognition, and multiple export formats for portability.

    311 Bear alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • IT flagItaly
    • European Union flagEU
    Bear screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  5. Itsypad icon

    Itsypad

     9 likes

    Lightweight Mac scratchpad and clipboard manager featuring multi-tab editing, 1,000-item clipboard, syntax highlighting for 185+ languages, local privacy-focused storage, global hotkeys, split view, clickable links, iCloud sync, auto-save, and minimal resource usage.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • PT flagPortugal
    • European Union flagEU
    Itsypad screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  6. iA Writer icon

    iA Writer

     99 likes

    iA Writer is a pro tool for focused writing in Markdown, a simple formatting language. It offers features like Focus Mode, Style Check, Syntax Highlight, Wikilinks, and cross-platform compatibility.

    148 iA Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • CH flagSwitzerland
    iA Writer screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  8. Notes icon

    Notes

     40 likes

    Use Notes to capture a quick thought, create checklists, sketch ideas, and more. And with iCloud, you can keep your notes up to date across all your devices.

    172 Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • US flagUnited States
    Notes screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  9. FSNotes icon

    FSNotes

     26 likes

    Supports open formats like plain text, Markdown, RTF, stores notes on disk, offers live sync with external editors, iCloud Drive and Dropbox sync, elastic pane views, fast search, tagging, markdown preview, code highlighting, and robust multi-folder management.

    75 FSNotes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • UA flagUkraine
    FSNotes screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  10. Meteorite icon

    Meteorite

     2 likes

    Ultra-minimal Mac menu bar note tool for fast, keyboard-only capture of thoughts, reminders, and snippets, with Markdown formatting, quick search, local privacy, light resource use, and direct export, ensuring notes are instantly accessible and private.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • CA flagCanada
    Meteorite screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  11. Tot icon

    Tot

     12 likes

    Organize and edit short notes using a minimalist interface with color-coded dots, Markdown support, and word/character counts. Syncs instantly via iCloud across Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Features lightweight design, keyboard shortcuts, and distraction-free note capture.

    297 Tot alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • US flagUnited States
    Tot screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  12. Flash Note icon

    Flash Note

     2 likes

    The fastest way to take notes on your Mac. Access instantly from the menu bar, without cluttering the Dock. Take notes instantly, distraction-free.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Flash Note screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  13. Notebooks icon

    Notebooks

     33 likes

    Extensive platform with Markdown editing, document linking, format conversion, task management, and focus-enhancing layout options. Supports Wiki and Zettelkasten functions.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU
    Notebooks screenshot 1
    Good alternative?
     
  14. Forma – Notes & Tasks icon

    Forma – Notes & Tasks

     3 likes

    Forma gives you an open canvas where you can drop ideas anywhere. Move things around, group them visually, draw connections, and keep a clear picture of everything you’re working on.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Main canvas
    Good alternative?
     
12 of 22 Smolpad alternatives