Xpad as a Linux alternative to Sticky Notes
Updated
Our verdict
Xpad is a solid replacement for Windows Sticky Notes for users who need a lightweight, always‑on‑top note taking tool on Linux. It lets you create, edit, delete, move, resize and pin notes, and offers color and font customization. It lacks richer formatting (bold, lists) and any sync feature, so it is best for users who only need simple on‑screen reminders and prefer a native Linux package.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 6.0.0
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both allow creation, editing, deletion, moving and resizing of notes
- Notes stay on top of other windows
- Each note can be given a custom background color
- Both are lightweight and have minimal dependencies
- Both are available in major Linux repositories
What is different
- Xpad does not support rich text formatting such as bold or lists
- Xpad has no built‑in sync or cloud export; notes are stored locally only
- Xpad does not provide a native export to the proprietary Sticky Notes format
- Sticky Notes may offer a simpler UI for very basic notes, whereas Xpad adds color/font options
- Sticky Notes may have a Windows‑specific integration that Xpad lacks
Opening your Sticky Notes files
The proprietary Sticky Notes format is not publicly documented, so Xpad cannot open or import existing Sticky Notes files. Users would need to manually copy the text from each Sticky Note into a new Xpad note. Exporting from Xpad is limited to plain text or clipboard copy, not the original Sticky Notes format.
Switching from Sticky Notes to Xpad, step by step
- Open Sticky Notes and copy the text from each note
- Launch Xpad (install via your distro’s package manager)
- Create a new note in Xpad and paste the copied text
- Adjust color and font if desired
- Save the note (it is stored locally in Xpad’s own format)
- Repeat for all remaining Sticky Notes
Key features of Xpad
- Create multiple independent sticky note windows
- Notes stay on top of other applications
- Customizable background colors for each note
- Adjustable font size and family
- Simple text editing interface
- Lightweight resource usage
- Available in major Linux repositories
- No account or sync required
How to install Xpad on Linux
sudo apt install xpadsudo apt install xpadsudo dnf install xpadsudo pacman -S xpadFrequently asked questions
Does Xpad sync notes across devices?
No, Xpad stores notes locally only. If you need sync, you must use an external tool like Dropbox or a custom script.
Can I export Xpad notes to a file?
Xpad can copy notes to the clipboard or you can manually save the text to a file; it does not provide a dedicated export format.
Is Xpad suitable for quick reminders?
Yes, Xpad is lightweight, always‑on‑top, and easy to create or delete notes, making it ideal for quick on‑screen reminders.
4 other alternatives to Sticky Notes
GnoteGnote is a lightweight GNOME note‑taking app that lets you create, link, and organize notes with wiki‑style…Open sourceFreeFlatpakGnote vs Sticky NotesTomboy-ngTomboy-ng is a lightweight note‑taking app for Linux, forked from Tomboy, designed to replace Sticky Notes…Open sourceFreeTomboy-ng vs Sticky NotesNotejotNotejot is a lightweight KDE sticky note application that pins notes to your desktop for quick reminders.Open sourceFreeNotejot vs Sticky Notes