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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteXpad is a free, GPLv3 sticky-note application for Ubuntu. It opens independent desktop pads for quick text entry, keeps note information on the computer’s hard drive, and lets you customize colors, fonts, window decorations, and toolbar commands. Ubuntu distributes it from the Universe repository.
What Xpad is
Xpad is a lightweight Linux desktop note application written with GTK+ 3.0. Each note is an independent pad window containing a simple text area, so you can keep separate reminders, checklists, snippets, or temporary working notes visible on the desktop.
The GNOME Xpad project describes it as “a free (GPLv3) sticky note application written using GTK+ 3.0 that strives to be simple, fault-tolerant, and customizable.” Its local-storage approach is intended to reduce loss when a computer freezes or loses power because note information is kept on the hard drive rather than only in memory.
Install Xpad on Ubuntu
Ubuntu packages Xpad in the universe repository. On a supported Ubuntu installation with that repository available, open Terminal and run:
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sudo apt install xpad
After installation, launch Xpad from the Applications overview. You can also start it from a terminal with:
xpad
The exact package version depends on the Ubuntu release. Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble) lists 5.8.0-1build2, while Ubuntu 22.04 (Jammy) lists 5.4.0-2. These are Ubuntu package metadata versions, not a promise that every derivative distribution ships the same build.
#1 Best Overall
- Quantity and Size: There are 14 pack simulated pixel panel style sticky notes, 50 sheets per pad, 700 in total, each note is 7.5 x 7.5 cm/3 x 3 inches.
- Creative Appearance: Simulated computer pixel panel pattern, whether it is memo recording or space planning, it can provide flexibility and adaptability in various situations, can add brilliance to your daily tasks and increase your interest in writing and drawing.
- Material and Quality: The sticky notes are made of high-quality adhesive backing, ensuring long-lasting durability on various surfaces, easy to stick and peel off.
- Widely applicable: This creative computer pixel drawing board style can be used for daily painting, inspiration design, suitable for various occasions such as office, school, home, and other environments to kill time.
- Best Gift: This creative pixel grid artboard pattern sticky note is convenient for you to take notes in study or draw diagrams at work; In addition, you can also use it as a shopping list, reminder or to-do list. It is also an ideal choice for daily drawing and recording.
How notes and saving work
Separate pads
Every note is its own pad window. This suits short, persistent desktop information better than a single large notebook: one pad can hold a shopping list, another a command, and another a meeting reminder.
Local persistence
Xpad’s project description says information is kept on the hard drive. That means notes are designed to remain available across normal application restarts and are not dependent on an online account. The description does not specify a cloud backup service, synchronization, encryption, or a guaranteed write interval, so keep separate backups if a note is important.
The Tool Desk
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- 7 Sizes & Multicolored: sticky notes set each sticky notes set includes 60 Ruled (6" x4"),100 Sticy Tabs (1" x3"), 50 Large Sticky Notes (5" x3"), 160 PET Sticy Index Tabs in 8 Assorted Neon Colors(0.5" x1.8"), 50 Orange Sticky noteswith lines(3" x3"), 240 sheet Square Sticky notes(1.5" x1.5"), 50 Cute Sticy notes(1.5" x3"), 710 Total Tab Divider NotesIn addition, 2 extra Gel Ink Pen 0.5mm Black and a roll of strong adhesive double-sided tape will be given as a gift
- Quality Material & Well Orangized: the paper is good, thick quality and gel/fountain pen ink do not bleed through, provides you with stronger adhesive. Prioritize with Color Coding to to categorize documents or bookmark important pages, so as to allow you to mark and retrieve information quickly and easily
- Sticky & Extra Double-Sided Tape: the stickness on the sticky notes works really well, which uses water-based (not chemical based) adhesive, no worry of peeling off quickly. Removable adhesive for easy re-positioning, you can take them off without ripping the paper. This roll of yellow embroidery double-sided tape is made of double-sided cotton paper and coated with hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive. It has good adhesion, tearability and strong stability. You can use it to fix post-it notes
- Portable Designs: it comes like a little notebook(A5), applicable for your purse, backpack well. Black leather cover designs, great way to keep various notes organized in one place. It's neat, compact and slim. Keep it on your desk or in your drawer to access them properly. It is portable and super proper to set goals
- Wide Appication: they're extremely useful for taking down important notes, lesson/project/essay/test/other planning. Applicable for office supplies, school supplies for college essentials, teacher supplies, bible study notebook, note taking and so on
Customize the pads
Colors, fonts, and window decoration
You can change a pad’s colors, font, and window decorations. Xpad also supports defaults for newly created pads, allowing you to establish a consistent appearance without configuring every new note from scratch.
Toolbar commands
Frequently used commands can be added to the toolbar through the pad’s context menu. This is useful when you want actions such as creating or managing pads available without opening menus repeatedly.
Rank #3
- Mr. Pen sticky notes set includes 410 pieces in various sizes and pastel macaron colors, perfect for organizing tasks, notes, and reminders.
- Made from high-quality paper, these sticky notes provide a smooth writing experience and prevent ink smudging for clear and legible notes.
- The set features divider-style sticky notes in multiple shapes and sizes, making it easy to categorize and prioritize tasks while keeping important notes accessible.
- Each note has a strong adhesive backing, ensuring they stick securely to most surfaces, such as books, notebooks, planners, and office desks, without leaving residue.
- Ideal for students, professionals, and creative individuals, this set is perfect for studying, planning, journaling, and staying organized in any setting.
Show, hide, and create pads from the command line
The xpad command supports visibility control and pad creation. These options are useful for desktop shortcuts, scripts, or quick keyboard-driven workflows.
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
-v, --version |
Prints Xpad’s version information. |
-?, --help |
Prints command-line help. |
-h, --hide |
Hides existing pads. |
-s, --show |
Shows existing pads. |
-t, --toggle |
Switches existing pads between visible and hidden states. |
-n, --new |
Opens a new pad. |
-N, --no-new |
Prevents automatic pad creation. |
-f, --new-from-file=FILE |
Creates a new pad using the contents of FILE. |
-q, --quit |
Closes all open pads and terminates Xpad processes. |
Examples:
xpad --new
xpad --show
xpad --hide
xpad --toggle
xpad --new-from-file=/path/to/note.txt
xpad --quit
Use xpad --help on your installed version if you need to confirm available options or syntax.
Rank #4
- Size: 3 x 3 in, 8 Pads/Pack, 75 Sheets/Pad.
- 8 Bright Colors: Including blue, light blue, green, yellow, orange, rose red, pink and purple; colorful memo pads that look good and are hard to ignore.
- High quality paper, smooth writing, easy to use and peel, no residue, can keep clean and tidy.
- Widely use for school, office, family. Great for leaving notes or reminders on walls, doors, monitors, or other surfaces.
- Note: Keep straight to tear from the sticky side, this will help the notes more sticky!
Ubuntu desktop integration
The Ubuntu package is built around GTK 3 and depends on components including GtkSourceView 4, GLib, Pango, X11 session libraries, and Ayatana Application Indicator libraries. In practice, this makes Xpad a conventional Linux desktop application rather than a web-based notes service. The available evidence does not establish its behavior on every Wayland session.
What Xpad does not establish
- No cloud synchronization or mobile client is documented in the cited project and Ubuntu package information.
- No reminders, collaboration, or shared notebooks are established.
- No encryption feature is established; treat locally stored notes accordingly.
- There is no evidence here of a current feature-by-feature benchmark against another note application.
Who should use Xpad?
Xpad is a good fit when you want free, local, always-available desktop notes with separate windows and straightforward appearance controls. It is less suitable if your essential requirement is synchronized notes across phones and computers, team collaboration, reminders, or a documented cloud and encryption system.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Bubble Shaped Sticky Notes: 3 in x 3 in, 8 Pads/Pack, 82 Sheets/Pad, Affordable Set.
- Nice Gift: Cute shape can be apply to every Spot-on scene.
- High Stickness: Ultra Sticking Power, Suitable for almost any surface and stick securely and remove cleanly.
- Delux Paper: Tough sticky notes of 80gsm do not tearing, edge curl and ink bleed.
- Attractive Color: 8 Bright sticky notes let the memo catch your eye more easily, Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, Light Blue, Light Purple.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

