Noticky vs Tot
Tot is a beautifully minimal scratchpad by Iconfactory — 7 notes, by design. Noticky is unlimited notes with Markdown, smart tags, export, and Touch ID. Different philosophies: constraint vs capability.
| Feature | Noticky | Tot |
|---|---|---|
| Float above fullscreen apps | ✦ | — |
| Markdown support | Full H1-H6, code blocks | Bold, italic, lists only |
| iCloud Sync | ✦ | ✦ |
| Global hotkey capture | ⌘⇧N | Partial |
| Smart tags + filtering | ✦ | 7 color dots |
| Export PDF, MD, TXT | PDF, MD, TXT | .txt, .rtf |
| Touch ID lock | ✦ | — |
| Menu bar — no Dock icon | ✦ | ✦ |
| Note limit | Unlimited | 7 max by design |
| watchOS app | — | ✦ |
| Price | $6 | Free (Mac) |
| Native macOS design | ✦ | ✦ |
Who is Tot for?
Tot is for users who appreciate deliberate constraint. Iconfactory designed it with exactly 7 color-coded notes — no more, no less. It's beautiful, fast, and available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. The Mac version is free. If you like working within limits and want a scratchpad that encourages brevity, Tot is a work of art.
Who is Noticky for?
Noticky is for users who need more than 7 notes and more than plain text. Unlimited notes, full Markdown with live rendering, smart tags, export to PDF/MD/TXT, iCloud Sync, and Touch ID lock. Notes float above fullscreen apps with a global hotkey. If Tot's 7-note limit feels restrictive, Noticky removes that ceiling.
Key Differences
7 notes vs unlimited
Tot's signature feature is its constraint: exactly 7 color-coded notes. It's a design choice, not a limitation — it forces you to keep only what matters. Noticky has no note limit. If you routinely need more than 7 active notes, Noticky scales with you.
Markdown depth
Tot supports basic Markdown and plain text. Noticky offers full Markdown WYSIWYG with live rendering — headers, code blocks, lists, and more — all rendered inline as you type. For text-heavy notes, Noticky's formatting is significantly richer.
Fullscreen visibility
Tot doesn't float above fullscreen apps. Noticky does — your notes remain visible while you work in any app at any window level, including fullscreen.
Touch ID & export
Noticky supports Touch ID to lock sensitive notes and export to PDF, Markdown, or plain text. Tot doesn't offer biometric lock or file export. If you store sensitive information or need to share notes as files, Noticky has the tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tot really limited to 7 notes?
Yes, by design. Iconfactory built Tot as a scratchpad, not a note archive. The 7-note constraint is the core philosophy — it forces you to curate rather than accumulate. Some users love this; others find it too restrictive.
Is Tot free?
Tot for Mac is free. Tot for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch requires a one-time purchase (around $20). Noticky is $6 one-time for macOS with iCloud Sync across your Macs.
Can Tot stay on top of other windows?
Tot can float as a small window, but it doesn't stay visible above fullscreen apps. Noticky uses a dedicated macOS window level to remain above everything, including fullscreen applications.
Which is better for quick daily notes?
If you want a beautiful, constrained scratchpad for transient text, Tot is excellent. If you want persistent, searchable, exportable notes with Markdown and tags, Noticky fits better. Tot is minimalism; Noticky is capability.
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