Noticky vs SideNotes
SideNotes is excellent — feature-rich, well-designed, with folders, images, and AppleScript support. Noticky is a different philosophy: a floating post-it you summon instantly with ⌘⇧N, always visible, $6 vs ~$20. Choose based on what you need.
| Feature | Noticky | SideNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Float above fullscreen apps | ✦ | ✦ |
| Markdown support | WYSIWYG | Code + Plain Text modes too |
| iCloud Sync | ✦ | ✦ |
| Global hotkey capture | ⌘⇧N | Partial |
| Smart tags + filtering | ✦ | Folders instead |
| Export PDF, MD, TXT | PDF, MD, TXT | Partial |
| Touch ID lock | ✦ | — |
| Menu bar — no Dock icon | ✦ | Sidebar drawer |
| Folders / organization | — | ✦ |
| Images drag & drop | — | Drag & drop |
| Shortcuts / AppleScript | — | Shortcuts + AppleScript |
| Custom themes | — | ✦ |
| Price | $6 | ~$19.99 |
| Native macOS design | ✦ | ✦ |
Who is SideNotes for?
SideNotes is a mature, feature-rich sidebar notes app. It supports folders, drag-and-drop images, code snippets with syntax highlighting, multiple themes, and AppleScript automation. It has years of solid reviews and a loyal user base. If you want a power-user notes drawer with deep organizational tools, SideNotes is genuinely excellent.
Who is Noticky for?
Noticky is for users who want the fastest possible sticky note — a floating post-it that appears instantly with ⌘⇧N, hovers above all windows (including fullscreen), and disappears to the menu bar when you're done. It's simpler than SideNotes by design. Touch ID lock is unique to Noticky. And it's $6 vs SideNotes' ~$20.
Key Differences
Sidebar drawer vs floating post-it
SideNotes slides in from the edge of your screen as a sidebar panel. Noticky is a floating post-it window that hovers above your current workspace. Two fundamentally different interaction models — sidebar for organization, floating for quick capture and persistent visibility.
Feature richness vs focused simplicity
SideNotes wins on features: folders, nested organization, drag-and-drop images, code syntax highlighting, AppleScript, themes, and more. Noticky focuses on doing fewer things faster — instant capture, Markdown, smart tags, export. If you need a full note management system, SideNotes has more tools.
Price: $6 vs ~$20
Noticky is $6 one-time. SideNotes is approximately $20 one-time (pricing may vary). Both are one-time purchases with no subscription — but there's a meaningful price difference. The question is whether SideNotes' extra features justify the higher price for your workflow.
Touch ID lock
Noticky supports Touch ID to lock individual notes — useful for passwords, keys, or private content. SideNotes doesn't offer biometric note protection. If you keep sensitive data in your sticky notes, this matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for developers?
Depends on your workflow. SideNotes has syntax-highlighted code snippets and AppleScript support, which is powerful for automation. Noticky has Markdown code blocks and faster capture. If you want a scratchpad that stays pinned above your IDE while you code, Noticky's floating window is convenient. If you want organized code snippet storage, SideNotes has more depth.
Does SideNotes work in fullscreen?
Yes. SideNotes can slide over fullscreen apps as a sidebar overlay. Noticky also works in fullscreen, but as a floating window rather than a sidebar. Both handle fullscreen well — it comes down to whether you prefer a sidebar or a floating post-it.
Can I use both Noticky and SideNotes?
Absolutely. They serve different purposes. SideNotes for organizing reference material in a sidebar, Noticky for instant floating capture and always-visible reminders. Some users find they complement each other well.
Is SideNotes a subscription?
No. Like Noticky, SideNotes is a one-time purchase — no subscription required. SideNotes costs approximately $20 on the Mac App Store. Noticky is $6 via FastSpring.
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