If you’ve recently switched from Windows to Mac, you might be missing Notepad. While there’s no native Notepad for macOS, you have multiple ways to either run Notepad on a Mac or use Mac-native alternatives that cover everything from simple note-taking to lightweight coding.
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Can You Run Windows Notepad on a Mac?
Yes, you can run Windows Notepad or Notepad++ on a Mac by installing Windows. The easiest way to do this is via a virtual machine, which lets you run Windows and macOS side-by-side without rebooting.
- Parallels Desktop (works on Intel and M-series Macs) is the most popular choice.
- For older Intel Macs, Boot Camp is another option, but it does not work on Apple Silicon.
If you don’t want to run Windows, there are plenty of native Mac alternatives that replicate the simplicity of Notepad or offer additional features for note-taking or lightweight coding.
Best Notepad/Notepad++ Alternative For Mac
All the following apps are fully compatible with the latest M-series Macs, either natively or via Rosetta for Intel-only apps.
Most of them are also free to use although some require payment for advanced features.
Here then is our list of the best NotePad and Notepad++ replacements on macOS in order of ranking.
1. TextEdit
The most obvious choice for those looking for a replacement for NotePad on Mac is TextEdit which is the default text editing app for Mac.
It’s free with any version of macOS but is very basic and there are other free and paid options out there with a few more advanced features.
TextEdit is the Mac equivalent of NotePad and is free with all versions of macOS. To find it, simply search for TextEdit in Spotlight or CMD click on your desktop and select “TextEdit”.
TextEdit is useful mainly as a simple text editing tool but you can even edit HTML in it. To open TextEdit in HTML mode, simply select “Ignore rich text commands in HTML files” from the File Menu.
Alternatively, to open in Plain Text by default just ensure that “Plain Text” is selected from the Format menu.
Pricing: Free.
2. CotEditor
CotEditor is a lightweight, open-source text editor optimized for macOS and Apple Silicon Macs.
It features a simple interface, supports syntax highlighting, regex search, and multiple encodings.
It’s also Ideal for plain text, quick notes, or coding projects.
Pricing: Free
3. NotePadNext
NotepadNext is an open-source, cross-platform text editor inspired by Notepad++, and crucially, it runs natively on macOS without needing Windows or virtualization. Built with Qt, it brings many of the familiar features Notepad++ users love (multi-tab editing, syntax highlighting, search/replace, and customizable settings).
Unlike running the original Notepad++ through Windows emulation or virtualization, NotepadNext installs directly on your Mac and supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Pricing: Free
4. Apple Notes
Apple Notes is a free built-in note-taking app in macOS that has become much more powerful in recent years.
It allows you to create plain text or richly formatted notes, add attachments, create checklists, scan documents with your iPhone, and even collaborate with others.
It’s fully synced across your Apple devices using iCloud and includes features like search, tagging, and folder organization, making it a great free alternative to Notepad for simple and structured notes alike.
Just search in Spotlight on your Mac for “Notes” to start using it.
Pricing: Free
5. BBEdit
BBEdit (formerly known as TextWrangler) is a very popular text editing tool and an excellent alternative to Notepad on Mac.
BBEdit is an advanced HTML editor although can be used for basic note taking. It can be used for checking prefs, html or xml files of all types.
BBEdit works natively on Apple Silicon Macs so performance is optimized for those Macs.
Pricing: Free / There is an advanced version of BBEdit which offers more coding tools but requires you to purchase a license for $49.99.
6. Tincta
Tincta is a very simple text editor for Mac. Excellent for taking notes or making lists, it can also be used for basic HTML coding.
It works natively on the latest Apple Silicon Macs so performance is optimized for those Macs.
The most unique thing about Tincta is it’s terms and conditions which actually request you to take steps to reduce global warming in order to use it!
However, Tincta is no longer available on the App store as it isn’t officially compatible with any version of macOS Ventura or later.
Pricing: Free
7. NotePad
Although NotePad isn’t free (not to be confused with NotePad for Mac or the original NotePad on Windows), NotePad TXT Editor is suitable for simple documents or notes without any formatting.
You can also open and edit Windows .TXT files with it.
Pricing: Starting from $1.99/month or $9.99 lifetime license.
8. iNotePad
iNotePad for Mac is a slicker, more powerful solution which allows you to cut and paste snippets and drag text from other applications into it.
It has various other useful features such as a Recents List and the ability to change fonts and text color. You can also protect notes with a password.
Pricing: $29.95
9. SubEthaEdit
SubEthaEdit is a collaborative text editor that also works well for simple notes.
One feature that’s a bit different with SubEthaEdit is the ability to collaborate on documents with other users over the web.
In addition, SubEthaEdit also has a very slick interface for a note taking app that’s even won it an Apple Design award.
Pricing: Free
10. Simplenote
Simplenote is a lightweight, beautifully minimal app for taking plain text notes across multiple platforms including macOS.
Created by Automattic (the team behind WordPress), Simplenote features fast syncing, version history, tagging, and distraction-free writing.
It’s particularly appealing to those looking for a true Notepad-style experience without bloat.
Pricing: Free
FAQ
Can you get Notepad on a Mac?
No. Windows Notepad does not exist as a native macOS app. However, you can run Notepad on a Mac by installing Windows using a virtual machine such as Parallels Desktop, which works on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
Can you install Notepad++ on a Mac?
Notepad++ is also Windows-only and does not have a native macOS version. To run Notepad++ on a Mac, you must either:
- Run Windows via Parallels Desktop (recommended), or
- Use Boot Camp on an older Intel Mac.
What’s the difference between Notepad and Notepad++?
- Notepad is a basic plain-text editor designed for simple notes and quick edits.
- Notepad++ is aimed at developers and power users, offering features like syntax highlighting, tabs, plugins, and advanced search.
They serve different types of users, which is why Mac alternatives also differ.
Do I need to buy Windows to use Notepad or Notepad++ on a Mac?
No. Windows 11 can be used without activation for basic tasks, including running Notepad and Notepad++. You only need to pay for a Windows license if you want full customization options.
Does Parallels work on M-series (Apple Silicon) Macs?
Yes. Parallels Desktop fully supports Apple Silicon Macs (M-series Macs) and allows you to run Windows 11 alongside macOS without rebooting.
Can I use Boot Camp on Apple Silicon Macs?
No. Boot Camp only works on Intel-based Macs. Apple Silicon Macs must use virtualization software like Parallels to run Windows apps.
What are the best Notepad alternatives for Mac?
For simple text editing similar to Notepad, the best Mac alternatives include:
- TextEdit (built into macOS)
- Apple Notes
- Simplenote
- CotEditor
These apps are lightweight and ideal for everyday note-taking.
What are the best Notepad++ alternatives for Mac?
If you want developer-style features similar to Notepad++, good macOS alternatives include:
- BBEdit
- Visual Studio Code
- Sublime Text
- CotEditor (for lighter coding tasks)
- Notepad Next
These run natively on macOS and Apple Silicon Macs.
Is running Notepad or Notepad++ on a Mac slow?
No. When using Parallels Desktop, performance is generally excellent, even on Apple Silicon Macs. For basic text editing, the experience is virtually identical to running the apps on a Windows PC.
Should Mac users switch to a native alternative instead?
For most users, yes. Native macOS text editors are faster, simpler, and better integrated with the operating system. Running Notepad or Notepad++ via Windows mainly makes sense if you:
- Need exact Windows compatibility
- Are transitioning from Windows
- Rely on Notepad++ plugins or workflows