Best Apple Stickies Alternatives for macOS in 2026
Why look for Stickies alternatives?
Apple Stickies has been part of macOS forever, but it hasn't received a meaningful update in years. It lacks:
- iCloud Sync — your notes are stuck on one Mac
- Markdown support — plain text only
- Global hotkey — you have to manually open the app
- Fullscreen overlay — notes disappear in fullscreen mode
- Tags or organization — no way to filter or categorize
- Export options — no PDF, Markdown, or text export
- Security — no Touch ID or password protection
If any of these matter to you, it's time to upgrade.
The best alternatives
1. Noticky — $6 one-time
Best for: Power users who want notes that float above fullscreen apps.
Noticky is a native macOS menu bar app with a killer feature: Always on Top. Your notes float above every window, including fullscreen apps. It launches in under 80ms with ⌘⇧N, supports Markdown WYSIWYG, iCloud Sync, Touch ID lock, smart tags, and exports to PDF/MD/TXT.
Pricing: $6 once. No subscription.
2. SideNotes
Best for: Users who want notes pinned to the side of the screen.
SideNotes slides out from the edge of your display. Good organization features, but notes don't float above fullscreen apps. Subscription-based pricing.
3. Unclutter
Best for: Quick access to clipboard, files, and notes from the top of the screen.
Unclutter is a 3-in-1 tool. The notes feature is basic — no Markdown, no tags, no sync. But it's useful if you also want clipboard history and a file shelf.
4. Mimestream Stickies Widget
Best for: macOS Sonoma+ widget users who want basic desktop notes.
Limited to widget functionality. No hotkey, no fullscreen overlay, no export.
How they compare
| Feature | Noticky | SideNotes | Unclutter | Apple Stickies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Float above fullscreen | Yes | No | No | No |
| Global hotkey | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Markdown | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| iCloud Sync | Yes | No | No | No |
| Touch ID | Yes | No | No | No |
| One-time price | $6 | No (sub) | $24 | Free |
The bottom line
If you need your notes to stay visible no matter what — including fullscreen mode — Noticky is the only option. If you prefer side-panel notes and don't use fullscreen, SideNotes is solid. If you just need basic notes and don't want to pay, Apple Stickies still works.