Google Keep alternatives
Google Keep is fast and free, but it isn't for everyone. Here's what it does well and which alternatives fit better depending on how you work.
Google Keep is one of the most popular note-taking apps: it's free, simple and available on your phone, your computer and your browser. For jotting down an idea or a shopping list, it's hard to beat.
But if your notes are for work, if you want them always at hand while you browse, or if you relied on its reminders, another tool may suit you better. Here are the options, honestly explained. We're the NexoPad team, one of them.
What Google Keep does well
- It works everywhere: on your phone, your computer, keep.google.com and through its Chrome extension.
- It's very fast for jotting something down: a note, a checklist or a photo.
- It organizes with labels and colors, and you can pin important notes.
- You can share notes and edit them together with other people.
- It's integrated with Google Workspace, for example to send a note to Google Docs.
4 Google Keep alternatives
NexoPad
Formatted notes with reminders, floating post-its and a side panel, inside your browser. It also stores your replies, links and clips. Ideal if your notes are for work.
Microsoft OneNote
A free digital notebook with sections and pages, handwriting and apps for every device. Ideal if you use Microsoft 365.
Notion
Notes, documents and databases in one workspace. Very powerful for organizing projects, though slower for a quick note.
Simplenote
Simple, fast and free text notes that sync across devices. For people who just want to write, nothing else.
NexoPad: your notes, always at hand while you work
NexoPad is an extension for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera and Brave. Your notes live in the browser, right where you work: open them from the popup, keep them in the side panel next to the page, or open them as a post-it in its own small window.
Each note can have formatting, checklists, categories, tags and a date and time reminder that can repeat daily, weekly or monthly. For focused writing there's the full-screen Notebook. What it doesn't have is a phone app: if you mostly take notes on your phone, Keep or OneNote will suit you better.
Google Keep vs NexoPad
| Google Keep | NexoPad | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it works | Phone, web and Chrome extension | Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera and Brave |
| Phone app | Yes | No |
| Formatted notes | Basic | Yes: bold, lists, tables and images |
| Reminders | Date and time, through Google Tasks | Date and time, with repeat and an on-page alert |
| Floating notes and side panel | No | Yes |
| Shortcut replies, links and AI | No | Yes |
| Price | Free | Free plan with basic use; Pro from $49/year |
Frequently asked questions
Does Google Keep still have a Chrome extension?
Yes. The Google Keep extension for Chrome is still available on the Chrome Web Store. The old Keep Chrome app stopped working in 2021.
Can I set location reminders in Keep?
Not anymore. Since Keep reminders moved to Google Tasks, you can only set them by date and time.
Can I import my Keep notes into NexoPad?
There's no direct importer. The most practical approach is to copy the notes you use most first.
What's the best free alternative to Keep?
It depends on how you work: OneNote and Simplenote are free and have phone apps; NexoPad has a free plan and is ideal if your notes are for work and you live in the browser.
Published on October 11, 20267 min read
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