We make NotePADD, so we are not neutral. Google Keep is an excellent free tool, and for many people it is the better choice. Here is the honest difference. Facts checked on 11 November 2026.
At a glance
| NotePADD | Google Keep | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Chrome toolbar (popup) | Web, Android, iPhone; Chrome extension for saving pages |
| Account | Not needed | Google account required |
| Offline | Yes, from the first launch | Phone apps: yes; browser: after you sign in online |
| Where notes are stored | On your computer; optional copy in your Google Drive | Google's servers, synced to your devices |
| Sync between devices | Optional, through a spreadsheet in your Drive; last save wins | Built in, automatic |
| Phone apps | No | Yes |
| Password for notes | Optional AES-256 encryption | No |
| Checklists | Yes | Yes |
| Formatting | Text sizes, bold, italic, lists, code blocks | Basic in the phone apps: headings, bold, italic, underline |
| Reminders, labels, colours | No | Yes |
| Images, drawings, voice notes | No | Yes |
| Sharing and collaboration | No | Yes |
| Price | Free | Free (uses your Google storage) |
Where Google Keep is better
- On your phone. Keep has apps for Android and iPhone; NotePADD lives only in Chrome on a computer.
- Sync that just works. Keep syncs every note to every device automatically. NotePADD's Drive backup is optional, keeps plain text and does not merge edits from two computers.
- Reminders, labels and colours to organise many notes.
- Images, drawings and voice notes, and sharing a note or list with other people.
- Inside Google's apps: Keep notes are available in the side panel of Gmail, Docs and Calendar.
Where NotePADD is better
- No account. Install and type; nothing to sign in to, nothing created on a server.
- Offline from the start. Notes are saved on your computer, so the notepad opens and saves without a connection.
- A password on your notes. Turn on encryption and note contents are encrypted with AES-256, with auto-lock. Keep has no note password.
- Your data stays with you. Notes are not sent to us; the optional backup is a spreadsheet in your own Drive that you can open, download or delete.
- One click from any page through the toolbar icon, with several notes and search.
Which should I choose?
- You take notes on your phone, set reminders or share lists: Google Keep.
- You want a quick, private notepad in Chrome without an account: NotePADD.
- Both is fine too: Keep for shopping lists and reminders, NotePADD for quick notes and private text at your computer.
More options: best notepad extensions for Chrome · how to take notes in Chrome.