For most of us, Notepad is the most basic text editor we have ever used, having been around computers for some time. Notepad is a piece of software that comes with every version of Microsoft Windows since Windows 1.0, which was launched back in 1985. It is like a grandpa figure installed on every Windows computer.
Notepad is devoid of any features whatsoever. Because it was created during the MS-DOS era, it was meant to be used for creating programmes that would be simple to compile and run. Since its creation, Notepad has not needed to be changed and has experienced very few, if any, alterations. Microsoft Word is a word-processing program available for Those who require a more feature-rich writing tool.
Taking notes has changed significantly in the digital age compared to using a pen and paper. Microsoft OneNote has led this change, which provides a flexible way to arrange ideas, meeting minutes, and project information. However, as technology develops, several substitutes have appeared, each with unique qualities and advantages.
In this blog, we’ll look at 14 of the most excellent OneNote substitutes for taking notes in 2024!
One thing is always the same, whether you’re attending a meeting to learn about customer requirements or a lecture for coursework: you have to use your brain to digest and remember a lot of information. Using the best note-taking apps can also be a lifesaver in boardrooms and classrooms alike unless you can brag of an eidetic memory.
Selecting a note-taking software that meets your needs can take time and effort, with so many of it flooding the market. The top note-taking applications have been compiled for you to make this chore easier.
14 Best Notepad Alternatives
Ever since Windows 1.0 was released in 1985, Notepad has been a fundamental component of operating systems. We have all used it at least once in our lives, making it the most popular text editor. When it comes to writing tools, Notepad notepads take precedence over other programs for taking notes. Hardly any changes have been made to the software since it was first released.
1. TabPad
“Yet another Notepad clone,” as TabPad describes itself, is spot-on. Other than tabs, it is the same as the Microsoft program that comes packaged. The built-in automatic saving and recovery features of TabPad are beneficial features that let you save your work in the event that the program crashes, your operating system freezes, or the power unexpectedly goes out. Additionally, it supports drag and drop, allowing you to open files in TabPad directly from Explorer.
The program does exactly what it says it does, and it performs as promised. In contrast to applications that overpromote themselves, leaving users dissatisfied, TabPad provides some incremental capability over Notepad and does so effectively.
2. NoteTab
Another Notepad substitute is NoteTab, which is primarily meant for web developers. It is among the fastest applications for editing HTML and can process text quickly. It provides some extremely sophisticated search functions and has clever detection algorithms that adjust the spell-check settings based on whether the text being typed is “text” or code. It also automatically generates statistics for search engine optimization and enables web developers to test the functionality of their websites before going live.
3. DocPad
It’s clear from the name alone that this application combines Notepad and WordPad functionality. The software is somewhat new, and although it has a clear and functional layout, it now seems a little outdated. DocPad is not an excellent app for coding or programming; instead, its primary goal is to create a robust, lightweight text editor. Syntax highlighting and code completion are subordinate to formatting and other word processing functions like word wrapping, search and replace block indentation, and bookmarking.
4. PSPad Editor
A sophisticated text editor designed with programmers and developers in mind is called PSPad Editor. Additionally, it contains formatting capabilities that enable it to be used as a primary word processor when necessary. Because it has native support for catching and parsing compiler output, it works incredibly well as a web editor. It can also be used as an IDE or integrated development environment. Working with several compilers compilers has proven to be beneficial.
5. ClickUp
With ClickUp, any team can manage projects, work together more effectively, and organize all of their work into one convenient platform. The program is available for free. For the highest level of productivity, ClickUp’s customization can accommodate any team size, whether they are in-person or remote, regardless of experience level with project management tools.
We suggest starting with these four (totally free!) note features Docs, Notepad, Mind Maps, and Whiteboards among the hundreds of easy-to-use tools available in ClickUp.
6. Roam Research
A robust knowledge management tool called Roam Research describes itself as “a note taking tool for networked thought.” Bi-directional linkages elevate mind mapping to a new level by turning a node into an openable note that users can click on. Every note can have relationships with other notes by connecting to them and storing its in-text linkages. In essence, Roam Research’s interface mimics the functioning of the human mind.
Roam Research has an entirely new structure, which OneNote users may need clarification. Every page in Roam is an outline composed of text and image blocks arranged hierarchically, unlike OneNote. Because of this, unlike OneNote’s UI, there are no notebooks or sections to open sequentially.
7. Evernote
Evernote, a well-known note-taking app that has been available for years, is an excellent option if you’re seeking for fascinating apps similar to Notion.
For numerous individuals, its ease of use and cross-platform syncing features have made it their preferred productivity program.
8. ProofHub
Taking notes is one of ProofHub’s primary features. It is an all-in-one program for project management and team collaboration.
ProofHub may be used for more than just collecting notes; it can also be used for managing projects and collaborating with teams.
9. Nifty
With a few notable exceptions, most of the note-taking apps we’ll be talking about are stand-alone programmes. In other words, all they can and will do is take notes.
But Nifty is not like them at all. It is a part of the Nifty suite, the best operating system for project management. As a result, you receive great value for your money and have access to state-of-the-art tools and technology that elevate project management to a whole new level!
10. Google Keep
Use Google Keeps to jot down ideas and share them more quickly. For smartphones of all shapes, sizes, and makes, this is one of the most excellent free note-taking apps available. Because of its ease of use, it is the preferred note-taking app for essential needs.
11. Nano Editor
For operating systems similar to Unix, Nano is an open-source text editor that runs from the command line. It was based in part on the far more feature-rich Pico text editor and Pine’s email client.
Its features include quickly snipping trailing white space from justified paragraphs, bindable functions, syntax highlighting, and the ability to comment or uncomment lines with a single keyboard (M-3).
12. GNU Emacs
A text editor that is popular for its extensibility, GNU Emacs is an open-source, customizable, extendable, and self-documenting real-time display text editor. It is part of the EMACS family.
Its features include full Unicode support, syntax highlighting for a wide range of file types and languages, customization via a GUI or Emacs Lisp code, comprehensive built-in documentation and tutorials, etc.
13. Edit Padlite
It’s an additional notepad substitute program that you can utilize. Edit Padlite functions swiftly and efficiently thanks to its simple, light design. Its lightweight and straightforward design doesn’t stop you from using programming codes on it, though.
The program has a robust search function and a tabbed layout. Essential word processing functions like an automated save function, a clipboard, and numerous more choices are also included. With a promising program behind it, Edit PadLite might soon release a more feature-rich edition.
14. Apache NetBeans
Despite being primarily focused on Java programming, Apache NetBeans is worthy of a spot on our list due to its extensible nature.
In addition to having all the typical capabilities of a contemporary editor, such as code completion, debugging, and syntax highlighting, its Swing GUI Builder makes it simple for users to create graphical user interfaces for Java programmes.
For simple version control, this text editor also has Git integration. It provides robust project management features by integrating smoothly with Apache Maven, which can significantly simplify the process of developing Java applications.
