Work · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Chars 2

Note-taking with Unicode

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Chars 2 launched in 2018; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Chars▲84

   Unicode Symbols Keyboard for iOS

   2014 · chars.cc · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Letterspace▲446

   A simple note-taking app on iOS & Mac

   2015 · programmerbird.com · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Take Notes▲78

   Handwritten notes made easy

   2021 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Notebag▲298

   A keyboard-focused note-taking app that gets out of your way

   2020 · notebag.app · its alternatives →

5. 5
   SideNotes for iPhone and iPad▲110

   Your quick notes with you

   2022 · apptorium.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   SideNotes▲311

   A beautiful note taking app with superpowers. It shows and hides on the side of your monitor to manage your notes distraction-free. Keep your notes organised, personalised and always at your fingertips. Markdown, tasks, pictures, colors, folders included.

   2025 · apptorium.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Characters▲143

   Mac menu bar app for quick use of special characters.

   2015 · getcharacters.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Notepad▲77

   Simple app to take notes.

   2022 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Contexted▲107

   Write, connect & visualize your notes

   2019 · contexted.io · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Note It▲59

    A feature packed note-taking extension with OCR support

    2022 · github.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    NotesHub: cross-platform, Markdown-based note-taking app▲147

    Thank you for your comments, just some context: - The app is available for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, and the Web. - The Web version is implemented as a Progressive Web Application that is very responsive, local first, offline first, can be installed, and is entirely free to use. - Native (hybrid) versions do not require subscription fees and have small one-time payment. - You can store your notes in Git using any Git provider such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. However, it has the best built-in integration with GitHub. Self-hosted scenarios like Gitea are also…

    2024 · about.noteshub.app · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Symbol Pad▲86

    Easily copy/paste special symbols and characters on iOS

    2016 · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Jot & Paste▲85

    Keyboard-oriented desktop app for fast note-taking and paste

    2022 · jotnpaste.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Emojinote▲71

    Organize your notes with emojis

    2019 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Unicopy▲139

    Easy-to-copy unicode characters and symbols

    2023 · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Notey▲117

    Capture thoughts effortlessly with smart, secure notes

    2025 · its alternatives →

17. 17
    ✶ glyfs▲121

    Unicode characters & text tools for iPhone, iPad and Mac

    2022 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Note-taking OS▲129

    Note taking made easy and powerful like never before

    2022 · kerryhue.gumroad.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Dumbnote▲141

    Offline-first Markdown note app. No lock-in. Just write.

    2025 · dumbnote.app · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Writer▲134

    Beautiful, fast, native notes app with Markdown

    2021 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Characters for iOS▲81

    Kaomoji library & keyboard for iOS

    2020 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    NoteThisDown▲162

    Your handwritten notes straight to Notion. In seconds.

    2024 · note-this-down.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Focus Note▲94

    Crisp note taking app

    2019 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    And Notes▲105

    Note taking on a whole new level

    2022 · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →