Disclosure: we make StickyHover, one of the apps below. To keep this fair, every fact about the other apps comes from that app's own Google Play page, read on 22 October 2026. Where a listing doesn't say something, we write "not stated" — that doesn't mean the app lacks it. Apps are ordered by Play downloads, not by our preference.
A floating notes app keeps a small note window on top of whatever you are using — a browser, a chat, a game, your broker app — so you don't have to switch apps to read it. Every app on this list does that with the same Android permission, Display over other apps. Our step-by-step guide explains it: how to keep a note on top of any app on Android.
At a glance
From each app's Google Play page. All seven offer in-app purchases. "Too few ratings" means Play doesn't show a score yet.
| App | Downloads | Rating | "Contains ads" label | Data collected (Play Data safety) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floating Notes - Sticky Notes 424 APPS | 1M+ | 4.5 | Yes | May collect personal info, app activity, app info and performance |
| Idea Note - Floating Voice Note goyourfly | 500K+ | 4.5 | No | May collect location, personal info and 4 other types |
| Floating Notes YUH APPS | 100K+ | 3.3 | No | No data collected |
| FloatNote+: Floating Notes CodeDAC | 1K+ | Too few ratings | Yes | No data collected |
| QuickNote: Floating Notepad MOOGLETECHNOLOGY | 1K+ | Too few ratings | No | No data collected |
| StickyHover: Floating Notes JK Codes | 1K+ | 4.3 | No | No data collected |
| Side Notes: Floating Notes JcsmSoft | 500+ | Too few ratings | No | No data collected |
What each listing says the app does
From each app's own Play description. "Not stated" means the listing doesn't mention it. StickyHover's row is checked against our own app.
| App | Checklists | Reminders | Home-screen widget | Drawing / handwriting | Voice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floating Notes - Sticky Notes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated |
| Idea Note | Yes (to-do list) | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Voice input |
| Floating Notes (YUH APPS) | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| FloatNote+ | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| QuickNote | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Sketch pad | Speech-to-text, voice memos |
| StickyHover | Yes | Yes | Yes | Finger drawing and handwriting (Pro) | Voice typing and voice memos (Pro) |
| Side Notes | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Free limits, backup and offline use:
| App | Free floating-note limit | Backup or sync | Offline, no account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floating Notes - Sticky Notes | Not stated | "Sync your notes across all your Android devices" | Not stated |
| Idea Note | Not stated | Export to SD card | Not stated |
| Floating Notes (YUH APPS) | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| FloatNote+ | One floating note at a time, 1 reminder, with ads | Google Drive sync with its PC app; export and import (Pro) | "We run no server" |
| QuickNote | Not stated | Says it does not sync to external servers | "100% Offline", no account |
| StickyHover | One floating note at a time | Backup file (free); Google Drive backup (Pro) | Yes |
| Side Notes | Not stated | Import and export | Stored on the device, no account |
Which one fits you
- You want the most-used app, synced across your Android devices: Floating Notes - Sticky Notes (424 APPS) has the most downloads (1M+) and its listing mentions sync across Android devices. Play shows that it contains ads.
- You mostly capture ideas by voice and want a home-screen widget: Idea Note (500K+) lists voice input and a desktop widget.
- You also want your notes on a Windows PC: FloatNote+ lists Google Drive sync with its PC app. Its free version has one floating note and ads.
- You want to sketch and record voice memos in a floating bubble, offline: that is what QuickNote's listing describes.
- You want no ads, no account, everything on the phone, and Pro extras such as several notes at once, notes that show only over a chosen app, a note that pops up on phone calls, and handwriting: that is StickyHover. The app is translated into 15 languages.
Where StickyHover is weaker
- Far fewer downloads and ratings than the leaders (1K+ against 1M+).
- No live sync between devices: you back up to a file or to your own Google Drive and restore on another phone.
- No desktop app.
- Several floating notes at once, text formatting, voice typing and handwriting are Pro.
Before you install any floating notes app
- Look for the "Contains ads" label and the Data safety section on its Play page.
- It will ask for Display over other apps. That permission lets an app draw on top of other apps; it does not let it read them.
- On Xiaomi, POCO and Redmi phones there is a second switch for pop-up windows in the background; without it, notes can vanish. Our guide has the path.
- A floating note can't stay on the secure lock screen: Android doesn't allow any third-party app to draw there.
FAQ
Is there a floating notes app without ads?
Of the seven apps compared here, Google Play shows no "Contains ads" label for Idea Note, Floating Notes by YUH APPS, QuickNote, Side Notes and StickyHover (checked 22 October 2026).
Which floating notes app is the most popular?
By Google Play downloads, Floating Notes - Sticky Notes by 424 APPS, with 1M+ downloads (checked 22 October 2026).
Do floating notes work on Xiaomi, POCO and Redmi phones?
Yes, but HyperOS and MIUI have an extra switch for pop-up windows in the background, and they close apps to save battery. Turn that switch on and remove battery limits for the app.
Can a floating note stay on the lock screen?
No. Android doesn't allow third-party apps to draw over the secure lock screen.
Not included
Floating Note - Notes Anywhere (RHBM Softs) has fewer than 10 downloads. FloatJot's website says it is coming soon to Google Play. Floaty Notes (floatynotes.app) is a web app, not an Android app.
Sources
- Floating Notes - Sticky Notes on Google Play
- Idea Note - Floating Voice Note on Google Play
- Floating Notes (YUH APPS) on Google Play
- FloatNote+: Floating Notes on Google Play
- QuickNote: Floating Notepad on Google Play
- StickyHover: Floating Notes on Google Play
- Side Notes: Floating Notes on Google Play
All read on 22 October 2026, US store. Downloads, ratings and labels change; we re-check this page every few months, and the date at the top shows the last check.