This intelligent app unexpectedly grew to become my note-taking default

Observe-taking is a central and core a part of my life and profession as a author. As such, I spend plenty of time making an attempt out totally different note-taking applications. I am all the time on the lookout for one of the best one to simplify my workflow and streamline the method of getting my concepts out of my head and onto a web page. An amazing number of note-taking apps is out there proper now; some are solely free and open-source, whereas others require a subscription price. Nonetheless, they every provide a variety of companies, together with cross-platform syncing. I first took discover of Craft when Apple highlighted the app at WWDC24, and since then, I have been exploring the app via the free trial interval, and have even paid for the subscription.

Craft rapidly grew to become my most used note-taking app on each my Mac and my iPhone, changing Microsoft OneNote, which I had been utilizing every day for years. There’s so much to like about Craft, from its colourful and customizable design, to its easy-to-use interface on each desktop and cellular. Whereas Craft has plenty of options, it is nowhere close to as overwhelming as apps like Obsidian, which has a notoriously steep studying curve.

Craft has one thing to supply everybody, and I will be exploring the the explanation why it is turn out to be my private favourite note-taking app and why I feel you must check out Craft if you have not already.

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What’s Craft, and who’s it it for?

Designers, visible thinkers, collaborators, and extra

Craft is a note-taking app that’s at the moment accessible for Apple gadgets, Home windows, and internet browsers. Whilst you can entry Craft through an online browser on an Android machine, there isn’t any native Android app — but.

Craft is nice for anybody who likes to visualise their notes. The app gives high-quality picture importing that is easy to make use of, in addition to a totally customizable interface, permitting you to make your notes look nonetheless you need. There is a stable quantity of consideration paid by the Craft builders to esthetics, however they did not sacrifice performance for it by any means. The builders have managed to offer a sophisticated — and, at-times, lovely — interface to jot down notes, create every day to-do lists, and even define your subsequent massive challenge.

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I admire how straightforward it’s to make issues look good in Craft. Taking a look at a coloured be aware is useful for the mind, according to researchers, and Craft makes it straightforward to make your notes pop. There’s a variety of obtainable backgrounds you may select from, or, when you do not need to spend the time, there’s an built-in AI-assistant that may customise your templates for you.

If you happen to do not need to or do not feel the necessity to customise or beautify your notes in Craft, you do not have to. It is easy sufficient to simply create a primary be aware with Craft, and go on together with your day. In my time with Craft, I spotted that it is a killer app because of its flexibility and its adaptability, which is backed by steady updates. It is a hub for not solely my skilled work, however for my day-to-day life. I can hyperlink notes collectively, hold them organized and separated if want be, and even embed totally different file codecs into my Craft notes.

How Craft has modified my note-taking

Non-linear notes — a author’s dream

Craft / Pocket-lint

If you happen to’ve labored on a e book, or know somebody who has, you is likely to be acquainted with the picture of a whole bunch, if not 1000’s, of notes sticking to each wall and floor of their workplace. That is what I seek advice from as ‘non-linear note-taking’. I used to dump all my notes into an all-encompassing Phrase doc, however Craft makes it straightforward to create these large data dumps, after which later return and arrange them.

Utilizing Craft, I can hyperlink disconnected notes collectively, serving to to get nearer to the ultimate picture of a long-form inventive challenge. For instance, a be aware I had a couple of character sparked an concept that I used to be in a position to hyperlink to a distinct be aware with an concept a couple of location, which I then was in a position to hyperlink to a thematic brainstorming be aware, which helped me visualize and create a stronger concept for a novel.

Utilizing craft on this approach, you may nest a number of notes collectively, which inspires note-taking and pondering in a non-linear sample. Most of the time, even when engaged on this text, I would like to completely discover a subject earlier than I can write totally about it. The linked notes in Craft assist me obtain this quicker, and never solely that, nevertheless it’s not a headache to hyperlink notes collectively. This function does exist in different note-taking purposes like Microsoft’s OneNote, however I discovered it to be far more intuitive with Craft.

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Options and templates

Templates for each kind of be aware and an AI assistant

Craft gives a variety of free templates so that you can use for a spread of various doc types. These templates are unfold throughout a number of classes, starting from private to groups to conferences. I personally use the bulleted journal template to maintain observe of my every day notes, and I take advantage of Craft’s to-do checklist template to maintain organized. Along with templates, Craft additionally options an AI-assistant that can be utilized to create and format paperwork and templates for you.

I have not been the most important fan of consumer-facing AI. I have not discovered a lot use for the Massive Language Fashions reminiscent of Open AI’s ChatGPT which have been launched to the general public over the previous few years. I did mess around with Craft’s AI assistant, which runs on Open AI’s GPT-4o mannequin, and I discovered it to be surprisingly useful. Whereas I nonetheless would not use AI for any true researching or writing functions, I did discover it to be a wonderful and quick technique to format a doc with one button in Craft. One other factor that I like about Craft’s AI assistant is how within the background it’s. You do not have to make use of it, and it certainly is not in your face pressuring you to provide it a strive — it is merely there within the background.

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Pricing and availability

Craft includes a free trial, however then there is a paid model after that

Craft / Pocket-lint

Craft’s pricing is a bit sophisticated. There are 5 totally different plans, which embody a plan that’s solely free to make use of. The free plan means that you can create ten paperwork and contains 1GB of cloud cupboard space and options real-time collaboration. In order for you further cupboard space or extra superior options reminiscent of customized branding and a customized area on your notes, you will must pay a minimum of $8 a month. There’s additionally a enterprise model designed for enterprise customers, which options precedence customer support and no limitations on doc creation, the AI-assistant, or customized branding options, which is priced at $250 a month.

Most customers shall be effective with paying for the starter version of Craft, but when you end up needing a customized area or need many individuals to have the ability to entry your paperwork, it is likely to be value paying for the household plan, which is priced at $15 a month. I am utilizing Craft for my very own work and private causes, so I do not want a motive to pay for the household plan, and I only in the near past upgraded to the $8 a month plan. If you have not tried Craft but, I strongly suggest getting began with the free starter plan, and when you just like the app and use it every day, then it might very properly be value upgrading to the $8 plan for your self.

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Craft

Craft is a feature-rich note-taking app that rivals Notion in each design and options. It is easy to make use of, though there’s a steep studying curve if you wish to turn out to be an skilled with the app. You’ll be able to strive it at no cost, however plans begin at $8 for limitless entry. 

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