Notes are a great tool to capture ideas. That’s why we made NoteKeeper, a simple note-taking extension for Chrome. It’s a quick and easy way to save notes, questions, and ideas that you want to remember later on.
With NoteKeeper, you can type your notes into the extension and they’ll automatically be saved. Then you can access them quickly and easily whenever you need them.
NoteKeeper is designed to be easy-to-use and fast so it doesn’t get in the way of getting your work done. It’s also completely free! Getting started is easy: just install the NoteKeeper extension from the Chrome Web Store.
Chrome Extension For Notes
Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers on the market, and a big part of its success is due to the great number of extensions designed for it. However, students and people who spend a lot of time browsing the Internet in search of documentation or ideas know that finding a tool that will help you take notes in a convenient manner is pretty hard to come by. This is why I’ve decided to write this article and show you five of the best note-taking extensions for Chrome.
Sticky Notes
Sticky notes Sticky Notes
Let’s start things out with Sticky Notes, a simple tool that will cater to all your basic note-taking needs. This extension adds a button right next to your address bar, allowing you to easily call it up whenever you want to quickly write something. As far as formatting goes, you don’t have too many options: you are only allowed to choose between four sizes of the sticky notes and six available colors. Furthermore, although you can select the desired font type size, the setting will be universal, so you can’t change specific fragments of your notes. To be perfectly honest, this add-on isn’t very pleasing visually, but if you need a quick solution for jotting down some thoughts, it’s a solid option.
Papier
PapierPapier
Another extension that tries to be as simple as possible, Papier, lets you take notes by opening a new tab. This tool is pretty bare-bones, as everything that you jot down will basically be one long note. But if you don’t need any fancy features such as note-syncing or note-sharing, then you might want to check it out. Moreover, in case your eyes get tired, the extension allows you to switch to a black background with white writing instead of the traditional black text on a white (greyish) background. Although it offers a few more text formatting options than the previous add-on, I prefer using Sticky Notes, since it doesn’t make me constantly switch between tabs when I want to take notes from the webpage I’m visiting.
Google Keep
Google KeepGoogle Keep
Google Keep isn’t exactly a Chrome extension, but a real Chrome app. This tool has a pretty slick design and lets you take notes, set reminders or make check-lists. Additional features include the ability to color your notes differently, so that you can come up with a color code for priority, and the possibility to add images to your notes. Unlike the previous two extensions, Google Keep also works on mobile devices, so you will be able to sync your notes with your iPhones, iPads or Android-powered smartphones and tablets. Lastly, this add-on lets you share your notes via email.
Coggle
CoggleCoggle
While not exactly a note-taking tool, Coggle is an app that lets you create mind maps, and those are great for writers and people working on complicated projects. The application requires you to sign up using your email address and seems a bit complicated at first, but it’s quite handy after you get used to it. What I like the most about this tool is that it’s quite elegant and provides many keyboard shortcuts to help streamline your interactions. Unfortunately, Coggle has a premium version, so you won’t be able to use its entire functionality for free, but it will still be good enough even if you decide not to spend any money.
WorkFlowy
WorkFlowyWorkFlowy
Last, but definitely not least, WorkFlowy is a cool note-taking Chrome app that lets you take hierarchical notes. The main advantage of using this tool is that you will be able to create structured lists and easily add sub-ideas for each of the entries that you enter. Furthermore, in case you’re having trouble using it, the application comes with detailed instructions and videos, so you will be able to take full advantage of all its features in no time. Lastly, WorkFlowy lets you synchronize your notes with iOS and Android devices, share your lists with others and mark items as complete when you’re done with them.
If you’re someone who prefers using Google Chrome, you might also want to check out some of our previous stories such as: “Useful tips for Chrome power users” or “Top 5 Chrome extensions for MS Office users”.
best notes extension for chrome
aybe instead of pen and paper or a notebook, you have sticky notes all over your monitor. Those can definitely get lost! Or blow away. And you can’t even attach files or save documents to sticky notes!
ALSO: Take a look at these best note taking strategies!
With those factors in mind, let’s examine the best note taking app for you to try this year.
- Notepad by ClickUp
The Notepad by ClickUp is a Chrome extension that you can download and then use across the web. It stays in the bottom corner of your choice, creating a simple way for you to jot down reminders or do research as you’re browsing.
Just click on the purple notepad icon at the bottom of your screen, and your entire list of notes is right there. And with rich text editing, you can format, emphasize or even use markdown right there in your browser.
ClickUp note taking app
This is the notepad program designed for those who want to maximize their productivity. Why? Because it connects right to your favorite project management software, ClickUp!
Another feature? Use the Notepad as part of the ClickUp mobile app as well. You can record meeting notes, make checklists and then create tasks instantly from your notes. No other note taking app or project management platform offers you this type of flexibility.
Sync your Chrome extension with your mobile app and desktop application. ClickUp works wherever you need to go.
ClickUp is the only project management software program that has this option…and your same notes will transfer from your browser right into ClickUp.
PRO:
Easy to use to take notes on the web, perfect for students and personal use.
Keep all your conversations in one place by sending and receiving emails directly from ClickUp tasks
Invite anyone to your ClickUp and collaborate
CON: Frequently rolls out new features it can be hard to keep up!
Availability: Chrome browser and with ClickUp
- Google Keep
google keep note taking app
Via Google Keep
Google Keep is a great note app because it meets all of the points I made above, plus it’s simple. And completely accessible.
Make note lists, save links, copy text and even record audio notes. Those are amazing features that come as part of your Gsuite applications.
With reminders, Google Keep can be used for very lightweight task management.
Pro:
As part of the Google Suite, you can take meeting or lecture notes on your browser or your smartphone via an app and it stays with you.
Opens next to Google Calendar
Search for notes by color, lists with images, audio notes with reminders, or shared notes
Con: Formatting text or markdown is a bit harder to do.
Availability: All devices
Compare this web app with #5: Evernote
- Bear
bear note taking app
Via Bear
Though only available on Apple products, Bear is a note taking app to be reckoned with. It has a simple left to right interface with a main menu, a note snippet display of your most recent notes, and then the actual note taking area.
One of its key features is its organizational system. Use hashtags to categorize, then use a slash command to create even more subfolders. You can do this from anywhere in the note. This is a simple way to organize and categorize your notes.
The new folders then automatically appear in your main menu. It also uses other markdown text editor shortcuts to link your notes together. Very intuitive!
Pros:
Hashtags and categorization from anywhere in the note
Multiple themes to offer a style for everyone
Markup editor supporting 150+ programming languages
Cons: Not enough separate workspaces or different levels of categories. This Reddit thread has more information on Bear.
Availability: iOS
- Workflowy
Workflowy note taking app
Via Workflowy
Workflowy is a notes/project management hybrid, but it works best for notes. Workflowy takes the idea of an outline to an extreme. Rather than create smaller cards for each of your notes (like a notepad), Workflowy drills further and further down into an outline, creating a hierarchical structure right from the start.
Workflowy offers extreme flexibility. Novelists use to plan books; managers can create quick tasks and checklists to pass onto their team.
From there, you can add tags and more organizational tools emerge.
With its new mobile apps, Workflowy is definitely worth a try.
Not sure about Workflowy? Check out our blog on Workflowy alternatives.
PRO:
Easy to see zoom in and out from the big picture to smaller details
Backlinks easily to anything
Mobile app for iOS and Android
CON: Sometimes users can be frustrated by its plain approach–it’s almost too simple. The blank page can be daunting after all. But you can set favorites and more to navigate.
Availability: All devices
- Evernote
Evernote note taking app
Via Evernote
Evernote is the OG of note taking apps, but its shine has lost a little luster over the years. They’ve lost a few executives in the C-suite and users are feeling stuck, especially after they started charging premium prices, but with few product updates.
But the fundamentals remain the same: it’s easy to take notes, add lists and even attach files to your notes for safekeeping. Its user interface has set the tone for the rest of the note apps, many of which have come after it.
If you need to export all of your notes, that can be tricky too, yet can be done.
Proceed with caution on Evernote!
Check out our review on Evernote and its alternatives.
PRO:
Web clipper and card system are familiar
Searchable text in file formats, including PDF files and documents
CON: Rising prices and uncertain product leadership
Availability: Everywhere
- Paper
paper note taking app
Via Paper
Paper is a different type of note taking app–it’s the one for you visual thinkers out there. Made more like a sketch pad, you can dive into paintbrushes, swirls, and shapes. Create mind maps or draw a quick cartoon as a reminder. Its notebook feature helps you set up the organization that you need to group your notes and drawings into different categories.
PRO:
Capture quick design ideas
Easily add multiple photos to a page
Sync your pages across all of your devices
CON: Not many keyboard functions for the text types out there…and only available on Mac/iOS
Availability: Mac/iOS
- Ulysses
ulyssess note taking app
Via Ulysses
Ulysses is a hybrid writing program and note taking app. If you find yourself needing to transform your notes from raw form into something presentable, then Ulysses lets you do that all across your Mac devices. You can take notes in a plain text mode and then throw in another theme for export.
It also offers writing goals and links to outside resources, like a PDF for instance. Its clean interface is inviting to many users.
PRO:
A minimalist interface for long-form writing
Built-in proofreader and editing assistant
CON: One drawback? It requires an ongoing subscription, so take a test run before committing.
Availability: Mac and iOS
- SquidNotes
Squidnotes note taking app
Via SquidNotes
SquidNotes is one of those writing apps that captures your real handwriting. It mimics taking notes in an actual notebook or legal pad. You can use a compatible stylus or write with your finger. You can then resize your notes, add shapes and export to PDF and more. It’s also great for commenting on images and suggesting edits.
PRO:
Use your real handwriting (that’s a con for me)
Great for marking up documents and suggesting edits
CON: Won’t be as concise or compact as other note taking apps such as Evernote or OneNote (if that matters to you)
Availability: Android
- Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft One Note note taking app
Via Microsoft OneNote
At first, I thought Microsoft OneNote was just the answer to Google Keep or Evernote…but it’s actually more than that.
It’s a great tool for annotating and commenting on PDFs, and it combines the functionality of traditional notes with the sketchbook approach. It’s the best one at doing both.
You can take audio dictation, photos, make a to-do list or draw. An amazing OneNote feature is using the keyboard and sketching in the same app. You don’t have to give up your handwritten notes entirely.
Microsoft users will want to take advantage especially since it connects to your 365 account, which can then sync across all your browsers, apps and mobile devices you use for Office365.
Check out our blog on OneNote alternatives.
Pros:
Sketches and typed notes in one place! And Microsoft.
Add voice notes
Built in math assistant (paid feature)
Cons: Lacks a lot of major integrations.
Availability: All devices
- Simplenote
Simplenote note taking app
Via Simplenote
Free notes?
Clean interface?
The team from Automattic (creators of WordPress) want to solve your note taking problems with Simplenote, a free and open-source note taking platform.
An advantageous feature is syncing Simplenote across all of your devices–whether it’s Windows, Mac or your mobile devices.
You also get markdown, which is a huge bonus for sharing code or to emphasize a point. On the flip side, there is no rich text editor.
One Simplenote feature that others don’t have is a drag-and-drop interface for revisions and note history. Just drag the toolbar to go back in time.
Pros:
Use across desktop and mobile devices, easy to review past history
Simple interface
Note version history
Cons: Not great for attachments, setting reminders, hard to format texts
Availability: Mac, iOS, Android, Windows
- Dropbox Paper
Dropbox Paper
Via Dropbox
Dropbox Paper is a seamless collaboration tool for teams of all sizes and industries to edit documents and share all your notes within the program.
Users can add annotations to images, mention people from documents, and connect to their calendars to find meeting notes quickly.
Dropbox Paper has powerful syncing capabilities to help put everyone on the same page.
However, if you’re looking to share professional presentation slides, Dropbox lacks advanced formatting features compared to popular word processors.
Pros:
Dropbox files embedded into Dropbox Paper previews correctly
Large selection of media support from other sources
Cons: Not as intuitive compared to top-rated word processors and poor note organization
Availability: iOs and Android apps
- GoodNotes
GoodNotes
Via GoodNotes
GoodNotes is a smart digital paper and social app for students.
Using GoodNote, students can connect with other students worldwide studying the same subjects and exchange notes.
This feature (at no extra cost) called Community allows users to create their own profile for others to view their documents.
While the Community feature is an incredible tool for people to connect, the note taking features compared to Notability are limited or non-existent.
Pros:
Built-in flashcards when you’re in study mode
Shared Documents feature allows you to use a shareable link to collaborate
No extra cost to download the Mac app
Cons: No task management features making GoodNotes unsuitable for high-level project planning
Availability: iOS, iPadOS, and Mac
Conclusion
No doubt, having a great note taking app is a lifesaver. Your choice may depend on your use case. Do you want a lot of features available through an app like Ulysses, or something simple to jot down your grocery list? Or maybe an online notepad that’s available all across the web if you spend a lot of time in your tabs.
Your choice may depend on what you need, how often you need sketches (or not) and what you want to do with your notes once you’re done with them. Exporting isn’t for everyone.
Conclusion
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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