This free tool transforms Chrome into an on-demand scratchpad

I’ve tried a lot of fancy note-taking apps, but I find myself constantly coming back to the classic old Windows Notepad app on my PC. Sometimes, I even just jot things down on paper.

As someone who’s constantly juggling a jillion different things, there’s always a lot to keep track of. And I always want to take notes in the fastest way possible.

I know I’m not the only one. There are so many great note-taking apps out there, but often, you just want to write something down in a jiff—without any frills or fuss.

That’s what this week’s find is all about—an incredibly simple and swift way to take notes right in your web browser. No exaggeration: This is as easy as it gets.

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Your new note-taking sidekick

In a world where apps and services seem to be getting more and more complicated, this week’s note-taking tool is the polar opposite. It’s incredibly simple and works entirely in your web browser—with not so much as an account even being necessary.

➜ It’s called ​Notepad Online​. And it might just be my favorite new note-taking app. I plan to use it more on my computer, but it works just as nicely on the phone or tablet front, too.

To use it, open the ​Notepad Online website​ in whatever browser you like. Since the tool is completely web-based, it’ll work in Edge, Firefox, Safari, or any other browser you like.

Once on the site, it’s up to you to select the right editor for your current purposes. There’s a ​plain text editor​, a ​rich text editor​, and a ​markdown editor​—letting you decide the exact balance of features and simplicity you need.

With that out of the way, all that’s left is to type some text. Notepad Online will save everything you write right inside your web browser, using its own local storage. You can close the page whenever you like. When you head back to the Notepad site, you’ll find your saved notes—just as long as you haven’t cleared your browser’s data!

I recommend setting a bookmark to the site for fast ongoing access. Then, you can get to your notes in a single click, no matter what else you’re doing. You could also try setting Notepad Online as your browser’s home page for even more convenience.

Alternatively, you could make your new notepad permanently visible by placing it in your top-of-tab bookmark bar—or by pinning the tab. Just right-click its tab and select the “Pin” option to give that a go.

Or, if you really want a more app-like experience, you can consider installing the site as a progressive web app—provided you’re using a browser that supports that capability. (Sorry, Safari friends!)

It really is that simple. While browsing the web, you’ll always have a quick notepad just a click away. And you’ll never have to worry about saving your notes, either, since everything is completely automatic.

Of course, this is device-specific—by design, there’s no cross-device sync here, so each browser you use will have its own self-contained notepad. That also means your notes are always entirely private, with no uploading or visibility to any remote servers or entities.

• Notepad Online is available on the web on any device.
• The site is completely free to use.
• And since your notes are stored entirely in your own browser, there’s nothing to worry about in terms of privacy. No data is ever shared with anyone, and all your info is available solely on your own local device.

Treat yourself to even more productivity-boosting treasures in 2025 with my free Cool Tools newsletter—a single new off-the-beaten-path gem in your inbox every Wednesday!

https://www.fastcompany.com/91258826/browser-notepad-online?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss