Notepad Apps on Android

We reviewed some of the Android Apps available on Play Store for adding notes.

The below list does not rank the apps in any order.

Today Mobile devices have made it easy to add and carry notes. Even they can help as a good reminder for some task that you scheduled for a day. Having a nice notes app in your mobile can improve your productivity.

We reviewed some of the free Note Editor/Note Pad Apps on Play Store and came up with the below list.

1. ColorNote Notepad Notes (by Notes)

ColorNote® is a simple, efficient, free, and user-friendly notepad app that enhances the note-taking experience. Ideal for writing notes, memos, emails, messages, shopping lists, and to-do lists, this app offers a straightforward interface and a range of useful features to keep your notes organized and easily accessible.

Key Features:

1. Versatile Note Formats:

   • Offers two basic formats: a lined-paper styled text option and a checklist option.
   • Supports extensive text entry for detailed notes and memos.

2. Organization and Display:

   • Organize notes by color for easy identification.
   • View notes in traditional ascending order, grid format, or by note color on the home screen.

3. Checklist Mode:

   • Create to-do lists or shopping lists with unlimited items.
   • Drag and rearrange items in edit mode and toggle completion with a quick tap.

4. Widgets and Accessibility:

   • Sticky note memo widget for quick access from the home screen.
   • Easily add widgets by long-pressing on an empty space on the home screen and selecting ColorNote.

5. Security and Backup:

   • Password lock to protect your notes.
   • Secure backup to SD storage and online backup with sync capabilities.
   • Encrypted notes using AES standard for secure cloud storage.

6. Reminders and Alarms:

   • Set reminders for notes, with options for time alarms, all-day reminders, and repetitions.
   • Reminders appear on the status bar for quick notification.

7. Calendar Integration:

   • Organize your schedule by adding notes to a calendar.
   • Use the calendar to write diaries and journals.

8. Additional Features:

• Search functionality for quick note retrieval.
• Supports ColorDict Add-on.
• Share notes via SMS, email, or Twitter.
• Quick memo feature for rapid note-taking.
• Wiki note link for cross-referencing notes.

Some helpful comments from play store:

"ColorNote Notepad" is one of the best note-taking apps that has kept me organized for the past eight years! Its online and offline sync/backup with a Google account is best in class, ensuring you never lose your old notes. The only downside is the inability to attach pictures to notes. I wish there were options for changing fonts and font colors. However, I still recommend it over Evernote because it's free and can store unlimited notes on its ruled pages.

An excellent app, everything you would need in a simple notes app. I have been using this for years now on every phone of mine. The only "feature" I would wish for is the ability to convert a note into a checklist after having created the note. That would be really handy if it can be done. Nevertheless, thank you developers for this excellent free app!

2. Notepad (by PowerAPP)

Notepad is a convenient and simple app for Android, designed to make note-taking easy and accessible. It allows users to quickly jot down notes, create shopping lists, and set reminders, all within a straightforward interface.

Key Features:

1. User-Friendly Interface:

   • Simple and intuitive design for easy navigation.
   • Quick creation and editing of notes.

2. Note Organization:

   • Search functionality to find notes quickly.
   • Autosave feature to prevent data loss.

3. Multimedia Integration:

   • Attach pictures, photos, and audio to notes.
   • Pin important notes for easy access.

4. Shopping List Management:

   • Create and manage shopping lists directly in the app.
   • Conveniently mark items as purchased.

5. Security and Backup:

   • Password protection to secure notes.
   • Backup and restore functionality via SD card import/export.

6. Sharing Capabilities:

   • Share notes with friends or colleagues in a convenient text format.

Important Considerations:

• Automatic Backup:
• Set up automatic backups to avoid data loss in unforeseen situations.

Some helpful comments from play store:

I have used this app for quite a while now. While I am overall satisfied with it I do not like the way the ads appear. I totally understand that it has add but when I am using it in certain settings a very loud ad pops up unexpectedly or I open it to make a quick note and a ad pops up and requires you to wait for the countdown before you can use the app eliminating the few seconds I had to make a quick note. The other problem is I upgraded phones and it wouldn't transfer over to my new phone.

Prefect for me or anyone else who just needs something simple and quick to write down notes. I work Construction so I'm always needing to write down measurements and supplies for the materials we need for jobs I can label my notes so I know what's going on for each job like I said quick simple and easy and I like that you're able to take pictures on the same app so far no complaints.

3. Notepad - simple notes (by atomcza)

It is a straightforward note-taking app available on the Google Play Store, designed for users who prefer simplicity and efficiency. The app offers basic functionality, including the ability to create and organize notes and lists with ease. It features a clean and intuitive interface, making it accessible for users of all ages.

Key features include:

Simple Interface: An intuitive design that most users find easy to navigate.

Unlimited Notes: No restrictions on the length or number of notes, constrained only by the device's storage capacity.

Text Note Management: Create and edit text notes efficiently.

Import/Export Notes: Import notes from .txt files and save notes as .txt files.

Note Sharing: Easily share notes with other apps, such as sending them via email.

Widgets: Includes a notes widget for quick creation and editing, similar to sticky notes on the home screen.

Backup Function: Save and load notes from a backup file (in .zip format).

Security: App password lock for enhanced security.

Themes: Multiple color themes, including a dark theme, for personalized appearance.

Note Categories: Organize notes into categories for better management.

Auto-Save: Automatic saving of notes to prevent data loss.

Undo/Redo: Undo and redo changes within notes.

Note Formatting: Options to add lines in the background and numbered lines in notes.

Technical Support: Dedicated support for resolving user issues.

Search Function: Quickly find text within notes using the search feature.

Biometric Unlock: Unlock the app with biometric methods like fingerprint or face recognition.

The app is designed for those who need a reliable and straightforward note-taking tool without the complexity of more feature-rich apps like Evernote or OneNote. It is entirely free to use, which adds to its appeal for users seeking a no-cost solution for their note-taking needs​.

Some helpful comments from play store:

This app is great...i was looking for a simple notepad. I found many but none had simple interface and also in this notepad I can write more words in single page. I can also categorise it so it's all good. Life became simple. I can categorise my written novel pages Good feature is that it doesn't have annoying ads. -thanks developer for this app. One suggestion: add something to highlight words and also make more space between each lines of sentence.

Best Notepad app hands down. Simple and effective. Even has a ton of features that I've never bothered to look into over the last few years. I'll be categorizing and coloring my notes soon :) Wish there was an option to purchase to disable ads, just to support the developer. I don't mind the ads though, as they're very unintrusive. I also just discovered there is an option to watch a short video and disable ads for 10 days for free. Neat!

4. Notepad, Notes, Lists – Notein (by Simple Design Ltd.)

Notein - Notepad, Notes, Lists is a highly versatile and user-friendly note-taking app for Android users. This free app, offers a range of features that cater to various note-taking needs, from quick notes to detailed to-do lists and reminders. With its intuitive design and functionality, Notein makes note-taking simple, quick, and secure.

Key Features:

1. Handy Note Taking:

   • Provides two modes: text (lined paper style) and checklist.
   • Automatically saves notes as you type.
   • Allows for easy creation, editing, archiving, deleting, and sharing of notes.

2. Calendar Integration:

   • Add notes, tasks, and to-do lists to a calendar.
   • Organize and view your schedule with ease.

3. Reminders:

   • Set reminders for notes and to-do lists to ensure you never miss important tasks.

4. Color Management:

   • Write notes in different colors for better organization.
   • Sort and filter notes by color to quickly locate specific notes.

5. Security:

   • Password protection for notes to keep your information private and secure.

6. Widgets:

   • Add sticky notes widgets to your home screen for quick access.

7. Backup and Restore:

• Cloud backup support ensures you never lose your notes.

Some helpful comments from play store:

Hello to my fellow downloaders! So I've had this app for less than a week, but I've seen the amount of features this has, lets start with the calendar markings, if you have any events in certain dates, you may mark days, and after the event is done, just tap the box and its cancelled out:). For the to do lists, I really like how it has a header, and organize your notes, or lists in it:) Overall, I reallike this app!

Simple is good. I've tried several other notepad apps. I deleted them all because they are overdesigned. Like trying to hit a mosquito with a 2x4. As for making simple lists, this notepad does so elegantly and with ease. It can handle multiple lists with titles. Displays them all on a single screen with one tap. The most recent one always at the top. Editing them is a breeze. It has a crossout feature, auto saves, and handles notes in the same way. Fast and effective.

5. Color Notes, Notebook, Notepad (by Tidy Notes & Diary & Focus)

Tidy Notes is an exceptional note-taking app designed to streamline your life. Whether for school, quick reminders, or organizing daily tasks, this app offers a rich set of features within an intuitive, user-friendly interface.

Key Features:

1. User-Friendly and Free:

   • A free notebook app that's easy and intuitive to use.
   • Create picture notes and voice notes for versatile note-taking.

2. Customization:

   • Rich text editor to customize font style, color, and size.
   • Personalize notes with colorful backgrounds and themes.

3. Organization:

   • Organize notes by categories and tags.
   • Create multiple notebooks for different subjects or projects.

4. Widgets and Accessibility:

   • Sticky notes widget to view notes from the home screen.
   • Easy-to-use note widget for quick access.

5. Handwriting and Voice Recording:

   • Draw and handwrite notes with various pens and templates.
   • Attach voice recordings for comprehensive note capture.

6. Calendar Integration:

   • Calendar view to manage notes and schedule efficiently.

7. Reminders and Notifications:

   • Set reminders for notes and to-do lists to stay organized and punctual.

8. Security and Sharing:

   • Lock notes to keep them safe and private.
   • Share notes as images or PDFs.

9. Backup and Sync:

• Sync and backup notes via Cloud through Google Drive for secure access across devices.

Some helpful comments from play store:

I love this app so much!! I had been trying out Google Docs and MS Word and all the others, which were so complicated or annoying. This app has all the necessary features and is so easy-to-use. The themes and backgrounds are adorable and you can easily format your text. Thank you so much for this app. As an expression of my support I'll consider getting premium when I start earning hehe

I've been exporting my notes from a competitor to this app, and I've not had any problems so far. I'm planning on upgrading to the premium plan, as it looks like, a good investment. For anyone on the fence, I'd recommend you to give it a shot, and see by yourself whether this is the app for you, or not. As stated above, I'm moving from another app (Evernote) because this one has the sort of features Evernote once had. So far, so good, a solid alternative for anyone looking for a notes app.