Scratchpad

Scratchpad

Quickly draft notes and ideas

25 ratings
15 reviews
$10.00

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
Scratchpad screenshot #1 for iPhone
Scratchpad screenshot #2 for iPhone
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About

Capture fleeting thoughts and ideas instantly with a clean, distraction-free interface. This lightweight app offers quick drafting, word counts, and iCloud sync for seamless access across devices. It's designed for simplicity and speed, making note-taking effortless.

Distraction-free interface
Lightning-fast and lightweight
iCloud sync
Word and character count
Linkifies URLs
Shortcuts and share sheet support
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What's New in Scratchpad

1.4.0

February 16, 2026

- The app now requires iOS 26.

Charts

Top Paid

📉 192-6

Productivity

This app dropped -6 positions in Productivity chart.

Last updated on July 19, 2026.

User reviews

Too many conflicts

This app is great when it works reliably but lately there are constantly syncing issues and conflicts that have to be manually resolved. The app doesn’t run well on my iPhone 13 mini.

Indispensable

5/5 !

Floating Notes But Better

For years, I kept a text editor open on my computer at all times and when I needed a scratchpad, I would switch to it and type or paste whatever I needed. Then Raycast came along with it's floating notes feature, which is nice. It can be summoned with a hot key. Then I found Scrap Paper, which can also be called with a hotkey, syncs between computers and has an iOS version. You can hide the icon in the menu bar if you just want to use the hotkey. Furthermore, you can have the text window stay on top of all other windows, which is a feature I want. Finally, I saw Scratchpad on r/MacApps and I thought I'd give it a try. It has everything Scrap Paper has, but can also be launched from the dock. It adds

Automatically creating clickable links from pasted URLS
Control over font selection
Text size adjustment
Line spacing
Smart quotes
Smart Dashes
Translucent background
Because it's text, you get access to the writing tools, spelling and grammar, substitutions, speech and the Mac Services menu. One awesome feature is the ability to use Quicklook on a link, which opens a small window with a live view of the web page, similar to the Little Arc feature in the Arc browser.

Scratchpad offers scripting and shortcuts support. You can enter text onto Scratchpad from any app that can open a URL.

There is a fully functional free trial of the macOS app available here. The only limitation is a reminder to buy the app every 12 hours, and no automatic updates. All data and settings carry over if you buy it on the App Store.
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BEST DEV

Sindre is one of the best devs out there! Thanks 💜

Sync issues

A beautiful and thoughtful but simple tool. The only issue is the syncing. If you plan on using this on multiple devices (mac, ipad, iphone), plan on having sync issues that you have to manually resolve)

Response from developer

Sync issues like this happen when devices don’t update at the same time. This can occur for reasons like Low Power Mode delaying background tasks. When the actual sync happens is determined entirely by the system and is outside the app’s control.

Developer apps

FAQ

What is Scratchpad's price?

Scratchpad is a paid app, available for a one-time purchase of $8.00. This grants you full access to all its features without ongoing costs.

What devices does Scratchpad support?

Scratchpad is available on Mac, Apple Watch, iPhone, and iPad, allowing you to capture notes across your Apple ecosystem.

How often is Scratchpad updated?

Scratchpad was last updated on February 16, 2026, with version 1.4.0. This indicates a commitment to ongoing development and improvements.

What is the age rating for Scratchpad?

Scratchpad has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including children and adults.

Can I sync my notes with Scratchpad?

Yes, Scratchpad offers optional iCloud sync, allowing you to keep your notes consistent across all your supported Apple devices. You can also choose not to sync if preferred.

Does Scratchpad offer collaboration features?

Scratchpad is designed for individual note-taking and does not currently offer collaboration features. Its focus is on quick, personal idea capture.

What file formats can I export from Scratchpad?

Scratchpad exclusively supports plain text. This ensures simplicity and compatibility, allowing you to easily copy and paste your notes elsewhere.

What do users like most about Scratchpad?

Users frequently praise Scratchpad's clean, distraction-free interface and its lightning-fast, lightweight performance. The simplicity and ease of capturing ideas are highly valued.