We make NotePADD, so we are not neutral. "Sticky notes" means different things, and for some of them NotePADD is simply the wrong tool. Facts checked on 11 November 2026.
Three kinds of notes
| Sticky-note extension | Desktop sticky notes | NotePADD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples | Extensions that pin notes to pages | Windows Sticky Notes, Mac Stickies | NotePADD |
| Where the note appears | On the web page where you wrote it | On the desktop, always visible | In a popup from Chrome's toolbar |
| Best for | Comments on a specific page | Reminders you must not miss | Quick notes while you browse |
| Several notes in one list, search | Varies | Windows: yes; Stickies: no | Yes |
| Stays on screen | On that page | Yes | No, closes when you click the page |
| Works offline | Usually | Yes | Yes |
| Password encryption | Rarely | No | Optional |
| Sync | Varies | Windows: Microsoft account | Optional, your Google Drive |
When a sticky-note extension is better
When the note is about a page: what to check on a product page, a comment on an article, a reminder on a form you fill in every month. The note appears when you return to that page. NotePADD does not attach notes to pages.
When desktop sticky notes are better
When the note must stay in sight: a phone number during a call, a to-do for today. Windows Sticky Notes and Mac Stickies sit on the desktop and stay visible next to any app. Windows Sticky Notes also sync with your Microsoft account. NotePADD closes when you click back on the page, so it is not an always-on-top note.
When NotePADD is better
When notes are not tied to a page and you want them one click away in the browser:
- several notes in one list, with search and rename;
- checklists and formatting;
- saved on your computer, offline, with no account;
- optional password encryption with auto-lock;
- optional backup to your own Google Drive, and CSV export.
Which should I choose?
- A note about one web page: a sticky-note extension.
- A note that must stay visible all day: desktop sticky notes.
- A private notebook in Chrome for everything else: NotePADD.
See also: NotePADD vs Google Keep · best notepad extensions for Chrome.