re:note vs Google Keep
Google Keep is one of the most popular note-taking tools on the web. It syncs across devices, integrates with Google Workspace, and lets you jot down quick memos from anywhere. But when it comes to taking notes while browsing, re:note was designed from the ground up for exactly that workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | re:note | Google Keep |
|---|---|---|
| Browser side panel | Yes | No |
| Page-attached notes | Yes | No |
| Rich text editor | Yes | Limited |
| Task lists / checklists | Yes | Yes |
| Color-coded stacks | Yes | Labels & colors |
| Reminders | Yes | Yes |
| PIN lock | Yes | No |
| CSV export | Yes | No |
| Works offline | Yes | Yes |
| Themes (light & dark) | 6 themes | Light only |
| Domain filtering | Yes | No |
| Mobile apps | No | Yes |
| Google Workspace integration | No | Yes |
| Price | Free | Free |
Where re:note Wins
Lives in the Side Panel
Google Keep requires you to open a separate tab or a small pop-up window. re:note opens in the browser side panel — a dedicated space beside your current page. You can read an article, review a candidate profile, or compare products and take notes at the same time without any tab-switching.
Notes Attached to Pages
Every note you create in re:note is automatically linked to the URL you're viewing. Come back to that page a week later and your notes are already there. Google Keep notes exist in a flat list — you have to remember which note goes with which page.
Richer Formatting
Google Keep supports basic text and checklists. re:note gives you a full rich text editor: headings, bold, italic, blockquotes, code blocks, and nested task lists. If you need structured notes (interview scorecards, research templates, meeting agendas), re:note is the better fit.
Privacy with PIN Lock
re:note lets you lock individual notes behind a PIN. Google Keep has no built-in note-level locking — anyone with access to your Google account can see everything.
Where Google Keep Wins
Cross-Device Sync
Google Keep syncs effortlessly across your phone, tablet, and every browser signed into your Google account. re:note is a browser extension — your notes live in the browser's local storage.
Google Workspace Integration
If you live inside Google Docs, Gmail, and Calendar, Keep's tight integration is genuinely useful. You can pull a Keep note into a Doc or set location-based reminders.
Image and Drawing Support
Keep lets you attach photos, scan documents, and create hand-drawn sketches. re:note focuses on text-based notes with rich formatting.
Choose re:note if you take notes while browsing — research, recruiting, sales prospecting, or competitive analysis — and want your notes to live right beside the page they're about.
Choose Google Keep if you need a cross-device memo pad that integrates deeply with Google Workspace and you don't need page-specific context.
Try re:note for free
Install from the Chrome Web Store and see the difference a purpose-built side panel notes extension makes.
Add to Chrome — It's Free