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 a number of time making an attempt out completely different note-taking applications. I am all the time searching 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 awesome number of note-taking apps is on the market proper now; some are fully free and open-source, whereas others require a subscription payment. 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 by 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 each day for years. There’s rather a lot to like about Craft, from its colourful and customizable design, to its easy-to-use interface on each desktop and cellular. Whereas Craft has a number 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 explanation why it is turn out to be my private favourite note-taking app and why I believe it’s best to 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 present obtainable for Apple units, Home windows, and net browsers. Whilst you can entry Craft through an online browser on an Android system, there isn’t any native Android app — but.

Craft is nice for anybody who likes to visualise their notes. The app presents 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 supply a elegant — and, at-times, lovely — interface to jot down notes, create each day to-do lists, and even define your subsequent huge challenge.

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

When you 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 only create a fundamental be aware with Craft, and go on along with your day. In my time with Craft, I spotted that it is a killer app due to 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, maintain them organized and separated if want be, and even embed completely different file codecs into my Craft notes.

How Craft has modified my note-taking

Non-linear notes — a author’s dream

Craft / Pocket-lint

When you’ve labored on a e-book, or know somebody who has, you is perhaps aware of the picture of tons of, 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 simple to create these large data dumps, after which later return and manage 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 capable of hyperlink to a unique be aware with an concept a couple of location, which I then was capable of hyperlink to a thematic brainstorming be aware, which helped me visualize and create a stronger concept for a novel.

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

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Options and templates

Templates for each sort of be aware and an AI assistant

Craft presents a variety of free templates so that you can use for a spread of various doc kinds. 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 each day notes, and I take advantage of Craft’s to-do record 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 largest fan of consumer-facing AI. I have not discovered a lot use for the Giant Language Fashions similar to Open AI’s ChatGPT which have been launched to the general public over the previous couple of 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 superb 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 offer it a strive — it is merely there within the background.

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Pricing and availability

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

Craft / Pocket-lint

Craft’s pricing is a bit difficult. There are 5 completely different plans, which embody a plan that’s fully free to make use of. The free plan permits you to create ten paperwork and contains 1GB of cloud cupboard space and options real-time collaboration. If you would like further cupboard space or extra superior options similar to customized branding and a customized area in your notes, you may have to 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 might be wonderful 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 perhaps 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 advocate getting began with the free starter plan, and in case you just like the app and use it each day, then it might very effectively 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 professional with the app. You possibly can strive it without spending a dime, however plans begin at $8 for limitless entry. 

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