Comparison
Flyout vs Apple Quick Note
Apple Quick Note is free, it is already on your Mac, and for a lot of people that settles it. It is a genuinely good place to jot a thought or clip a link from Safari. It is a poor place to keep a code snippet: Apple Notes has no code block, no syntax highlighting, and it is not a Markdown editor — typing backticks does nothing. Flyout is the version of that panel built for people who write code.
| Feature | Apple Quick Note | Flyout |
|---|---|---|
| Code | A monospaced style (“Monostyled”) — no language, no syntax highlighting | Real code blocks with syntax highlighting |
| Markdown | Not a Markdown editor; macOS 26 added Markdown import and export | Every note is Markdown, all the way down |
| Reminders | None on a note — due dates live in the separate Reminders app | On a whole note, or on one selected line |
| Notes on screen | One at a time; to reach an older Quick Note you open the Notes app | Tabs and folders, right in the panel |
| Opening it | Bottom-right hot corner, then click the peel — or Fn-Q | Screen edge or hotkey — and it slides away on its own |
| Image size | Two sizes: small or large | Drag the edge to any width |
| Price | Free with macOS | $18 once, on two Macs |
Where Apple Quick Note wins
It is free, it is already installed, and it does one thing no third-party app can: “Add to Quick Note” captures a link straight from Safari and leaves a highlight on the page that comes back when you return. It syncs to your iPhone and iPad, it has tags, nested folders, smart folders and tables, and any Apple Note can be floated on top of your work. If your notes are prose and links, Apple has you covered and you should keep the money. Flyout earns its place when the note has code in it, an image in it, or a deadline on it.
Checked against each app’s own documentation in July 2026. These apps ship often — if you spot something out of date, tell us and we will fix it.
Is Flyout right for you?
If you live in the keyboard — writing code, tracking tasks, keeping notes next to your editor — Flyout keeps up. Try it free for 7 days; no account, everything stays on your Mac.