Craft Review 2024: Best Note-Taking App?

As a busy entrepreneur, your note-taking app can be one of your most important productivity tools. It holds all your ideas, tasks, and plans – essentially the backbone of your business. 

But with so many options on the market, how do you know which one is right for your needs and workflow?

In this Craft review, we’ll look in-depth at one of the top contenders for the best note-taking app based on features, ease of use, customization options, and value. We’ll break down the pros and cons of Craft so you can see if it is the perfect digital notepad to power your business. 

Whether you’re looking for robust project management, sleek simplicity, or powerful offline functionality, Craft is one of those web apps that will become your new note-taking sidekick. Let’s get started!

Craft Pros & Cons

When considering a note-taking app, it’s essential to weigh Craft’s pros and cons against your specific needs and preferences to make the right decision.

Craft Pros

• Enhanced Organization and Productivity: Craft excels at helping individuals easily organize their thoughts and projects, leading to increased productivity. Its intuitive design allows for seamless text, images, and integration of internal and external links, making it easier to keep all your ideas and resources in one place.
• Collaboration Made Simple: This app stands out for its collaborative features, enabling teams to work on documents in real-time. Sharing ideas, feedback, and updates becomes straightforward, fostering a more dynamic and efficient teamwork environment.
• Aesthetic and Customizable Interface: Craft offers a visually appealing interface that can be personalized to suit your style and preferences. This not only makes the note-taking process more enjoyable but also helps keep you engaged and motivated to organize your thoughts and projects.

Craft Cons

• Learning Curve for New Users: New users may find a learning curve to utilize all its capabilities thoroughly. However, this initial investment of time is quickly offset by the app’s powerful organizational tools and features that streamline the note-taking process.
• Subscription Model: While Craft provides exceptional value, it operates on a subscription model, which may not suit everyone’s budget. Nevertheless, its range of features and seamless user experience justify the investment for those looking to enhance their productivity and collaborative efforts.
• Internet Dependency for Some Features: Certain functionalities of Craft rely on an internet connection, which could limit access in areas with poor connectivity. Still, its offline capabilities allow for continued productivity, ensuring that your ideas and notes are always at your fingertips, ready to be synced once you’re back online.

Quick Verdict – Is Craft Worth the Money?

After spending numerous hours researching and testing Craft, my conclusion is a resounding yes, it is worth trying out!

Craft blends elegant design with powerful functionality, making note-taking and organization efficient and enjoyable. Integrating text, images, and links seamlessly, coupled with real-time collaboration tools, significantly enhances productivity and teamwork.

The customization options allow for a personalized note-taking experience that keeps engagement high and ideas flowing freely.

Some may hesitate due to the subscription model, fearing it’s too costly. However, considering the value it adds by streamlining your workflow and the amount of time it saves, the investment is worth the efficiency.

Plus, Craft frequently updates with new features, ensuring it remains an indispensable tool for personal and professional note-taking.

While Craft offers many features, new users may experience a learning curve. But this is a minor hiccup in the grand scheme, as the intuitive design and helpful tutorials quickly bring you up to speed.

Additionally, the reliance on an internet connection for some features might be a drawback for some, but its offline capabilities are robust, ensuring your work is smooth.

If you’re serious about capturing ideas, organizing knowledge, or collaborating effectively, don’t hesitate to try Craft!

Who is Craft for?

You’ll love Craft if:

• You’re a visual thinker: If you find clarity in organizing your thoughts and projects visually, Craft’s rich, high-quality media upload and integration and customizable interface will enhance your creative and planning processes.
• You believe team collaboration is key: For those coordinating projects or ideas with a group or a dedicated success manager, Craft’s real-time collaboration features mean instant sharing, feedback, and updates, making it a powerhouse for team productivity.
• You value aesthetics in your tools: If a beautifully designed interface that makes the mundane task of note-taking enjoyable matters to you, Craft’s focus on aesthetics alongside functionality will be a breath of fresh air.

You won’t love Craft if:

• Your primary need is rapid note capture: For simple reminders, lists, or jotting down quick thoughts, more streamlined note-taking options might be less overwhelming.
• You have limited time to explore: Craft rewards those who invest time in understanding its possibilities. If you need a tool that’s immediately intuitive, consider alternatives.
• You work extensively offline: Craft depends on the cloud for collaboration and real-time syncing. A limited offline mode exists, but if constant connectivity is a concern, it’s something to keep in mind.

What is Craft?

Craft is a software tool designed to revolutionize how you take notes and organize your thoughts. It focuses on providing a seamless and intuitive experience that integrates with your daily routine.

Craft offers a polished, clean interface where you can effortlessly jot down notes, create intricate documents, and collaborate with others.

What is the key benefit of having Craft?

The main advantage of Craft lies in its flexibility and adaptability. It offers a unique blend of simplicity for quick note-taking and depth for detailed Craft document creation. 

With Craft, you can link notes, embed files, and even integrate with other apps, making it an all-encompassing work hub.

How does Craft work?

Craft operates on a card-based system that allows you to create individual notes or ‘cards.’ These cards can then be organized and linked to a comprehensive document or project. 

Additionally, Craft supports multimedia embedding – meaning you can directly add images, videos, and interactive elements like polls or quizzes into your notes.

How is it different from competitors?

Craft sets itself apart by offering a more visual and interactive experience than traditional note-taking apps. While many competitors focus on text-based notes, Craft encourages a more holistic approach, incorporating multimedia and interactive elements.

Also, its ability to smoothly transition between simple note-taking and complex document creation makes it a versatile tool for various tasks.

Reasons I Recommend Craft to Everyone

#1) It Expands the Way I Think

Craft excels at mirroring the non-linear way our brains work. With its linking abilities, I create pages and chains of notes that spark ideas I’d never have stumbled upon in a regular document.

For example, a note about website design unexpectedly connected to my notes on project management, leading to a more user-friendly approach to my client work.

#2) It’s Flexible and Adaptable

Craft’s flexible nature is its greatest strength. It allows you to move seamlessly from jotting down quick notes to developing comprehensive documents.

This adaptability will significantly improve your productivity. You can capture ideas quickly without losing the ability to flesh them out later.

Craft’s card-based system is proof of this flexibility. Each note or ‘card’ can be linked to others, creating a network of related ideas. This feature has been instrumental in helping me organize complex projects.

#3) It’s Built for Sharing and Growing Ideas

The way Craft handles collaboration sets it apart. I’ve worked on team proposals where everyone can suggest changes and leave feedback directly on the document. 

No more messy email threads or hunting for the latest version of a file. This seamless ideation is invaluable,  whether professionally or just brainstorming with friends.

What You Might Not Like About Craft

#1) There’s a Slight Learning Curve

My Craft account unlocks impressive power, but that flexibility initially means some time investment. Basic note-taking is intuitive, but if you want to take advantage of complex linking, create templates, and the full extent of the design tools, be prepared to spend time exploring. 

Tutorials and experimentation are key to learning the tool, and the payoff is worth it.

#2) No Robust Offline Mode (yet)

Craft primarily shines as an online workspace. While you can work offline, syncing and full collaboration depend on an internet connection. 

The developers are aware of this, and I’ve had good experiences with quickly catching up once connectivity is restored. That said, it’s worth considering for those who depend entirely on offline notes.

Craft Pricing

Craft offers a variety of pricing plans tailored to fit different needs. For individuals seeking unlimited access to document creation and storage, the cost begins at $10 per month. For groups or teams, Craft offers specialized Family Plan for up to five users, Team Plan, and Business Plan, with prices varying based on the number of members in the group.

This flexible pricing structure makes Craft an affordable option for personal and professional use.

Craft: Key Features Breakdown

Let’s break down the key features of Craft and delve into the details of each feature:

Visually-Appealing Documents

Craft goes beyond plain text. You can embed images, videos, PDFs, code blocks, tables, and more directly within your notes. You can also drag and drop elements to arrange them into visually engaging layouts.

Most note-taking apps feel utilitarian. Craft bridges the gap between the functionality of your notes and their appeal,  boosting inspiration and comprehension.

Adding supporting visuals has changed the way I process information.  For example, when researching website design trends, I could embed screenshots and annotate them, making the concepts significantly easier to remember and apply.

Note Taking

Craft’s notes are more like building blocks. Each note can contain nested notes within it, letting you organize ideas hierarchically. You can create backlinks between notes and see a visual network of how your thoughts relate.

This approach encourages non-linear thinking. Instead of siloed categories, your notes mirror the complex web of your own brain, enhancing creativity and knowledge recall.

For planning large projects, Craft lets me break tasks down into subtasks, then subtasks again, without it feeling overwhelming. The ability to collapse those levels keeps things focused, and connecting across them helps me keep track of the bigger picture.

Daily Notes

Craft automatically generates a note for each day on the calendar. You can use these to journal, track work progress, plan meetings, or build a habit tracker.

Daily Notes gives you a simple way to structure time-related notes. Unlike generic note organization, They encourage consistency and make it easy to review a previous day or anticipate what’s planned.

Daily Notes transform task management. I built a daily note with a running to-do list, meeting summaries, and anything else critical for that date. If I need to recall details later, the date becomes a handy search term within Craft.

Templates Library

Craft offers a variety of pre-designed templates for common note types – meeting agendas, lesson plans, creative writing templates, and more.  You can also build your own templates for future use.

Templates create a fast starting point when structure matters. They also ensure consistency across different projects and when collaborating with others.

Templates are huge for your productivity. Instead of staring at a blank page for client meeting notes, you can load a template and instantly see prompts for action items and decisions. This leads to better results and will make you more organized.

AI Creator

Craft’s AI Creator is a powerful assistant within your notes. It can summarize long documents, generate creative text formats (like poems or outlines), translate between languages, and more.

For busy professionals and students, the AI Creator acts as a time-saving companion. It offers instant brainstorming support, helping spark new ideas or polish rough drafts.

The AI Creator helped me overcome writer’s block on a blog post. I gave it a basic outline and asked it to expand a few sections with additional supporting facts, which helped spur my creativity.

FAQs about Craft

Is there a free version of Craft?

Craft offers a free trial to let you explore the app before committing. While there’s no permanently free version, they provide options for students and educators, making it more accessible.

Can I import existing notes into Craft?

Yes! Craft has import options for several popular note-taking formats. Check their help center for the most up-to-date list of supported file types and for step-by-step instructions.

Is Craft available on Windows or Android App?

Currently, Craft has native apps for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. A web version offers most of the core features, making it accessible from other devices. The developers are actively working on expanding compatibility across platforms.

Can I use Craft for project management?

While Craft isn’t a dedicated project management tool, it’s incredibly flexible. You can create task lists, link subtasks with notes, embed timelines, and collaborate with others.  Whether it suits your needs depends on the complexity of your projects and individual preferences.

Does Craft integrate with other apps?

Craft offers direct integrations with a growing selection of apps, including  Things, Todoist, and more. Additionally, using tools like Zapier or IFTTT, you can customize connections between Craft and various other services.

Does Craft offer unlimited version history?

Craft does not offer a truly unlimited version history. It only provides seven days of history for its Starter Plan, 30 days for both Plus and Family, and 180 days for the larger plans, Team and Business.

Final Verdict – to Buy Craft or Not to Buy Craft?

After countless hours of testing, experimenting, and pushing the boundaries of what a note-taking app can do, I’ve decided. Yes, you should invest in Craft.

Why am I so confident? Craft is not just another note-taking app. Its innovative features, such as nested pages, block references, and collaboration tools, make it a powerhouse for managing information.

It offers an unparalleled user interface that is both intuitive and sleek, making your note-taking experience enjoyable rather than a chore.

But I hear your concerns. You’re wondering about its price point or compatibility with other devices. Let’s address those briefly.

While Craft does come with a cost, its value far outweighs it. Think about the time you’ll save, the organization you’ll achieve, and the ease with which you’ll manage your information. Plus, Craft has made strides in ensuring its compatibility across various platforms – be it iOS, macOS, or Windows.

So, are you ready to take your note-taking to the next level? Then, it’s time to try Craft.

Stay tuned, though. If you’re still on the fence, I’ll explore some worthy alternatives to Craft in the upcoming section.

Craft Alternatives

If $10 is too much for you to stomach or need a different solution, you might like one of these alternatives.

#1) Notion

Notion is a well-known name in the note-taking space. Unlike Craft, Notion combines note-taking with project management features, making it an all-in-one workspace. Notion’s flexibility is impressive, but it can also be overwhelming for those who prefer simplicity.

Craft excels in its user-friendly interface and straightforward functionality. If you value ease of use over multifaceted features, Craft may still be your best bet.

However, if you need a more comprehensive tool that can handle notes, tasks, databases, and even team collaboration, Notion is the way to go. It suits those juggling multiple projects or working in a team setting.

#2) Obsidian

Obsidian takes a different approach to note-taking. It’s built around the concept of linking your thoughts in a network of notes. This makes it an excellent tool for those who prefer a more visual and interconnected way of managing their notes.

Where Craft shines is its modern, clean interface and seamless user experience. Obsidian has a steeper learning curve and may not be as visually appealing.

Nonetheless, if you enjoy creating mind maps or linking ideas together, Obsidian could be the better fit for you. It’s especially beneficial for students, researchers, and writers who need to see the bigger picture and draw connections between different pieces of information.