We've all been on the quest. The never-ending search for the perfect productivity app. The one tool that will finally organize our chaotic digital lives, tame our to-do lists, and make us feel like we have it all together. I've got a folder on my phone—I bet you do too—that’s a graveyard of once-promising apps. Evernote, Todoist, Trello, Notion… they all had their moment.
For years, I've bounced between a powerful-but-clunky app for big projects and a simple, fast app for quick notes. It was a compromise. Then, I stumbled upon Craft. And I have to say, it’s making me reconsider everything. It promises to be an all-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, and big ideas. But does it actually deliver? Well, I’ve been kicking the tires for a while now, and it’s time to talk about it.
So, What Exactly Is Craft?
At first glance, you might mistake Craft for just another pretty notes app. And it is gorgeous. Seriously. The team has won Apple Design Awards, and it shows. But calling it just a notes app is like calling a Swiss Army knife just a knife. It's so much more.
Think of it less like a digital notepad and more like your personal digital studio. It’s a space where your daily journal, your project plans, your research notes, and your random brainstorms can all live together in harmony. It combines the aesthetic appeal of a beautifully designed journal with the raw power of a modern productivity tool. It's built to be native and fast, which, in a world of slow-loading web apps, feels like a breath of fresh air.
Visit Craft
The Features That Actually Change Your Workflow
An app can have a million features, but only a few really matter in the day-to-day grind. For Craft, these are the ones that stood out to me.
A Writing Experience That Breathes
Writing in Craft is just… pleasant. It gets out of your way. The interface is clean, and the text formatting options are powerful without being overwhelming. You can create beautiful documents with headers, block quotes, custom backgrounds, and even cover images. It makes you want to write. Whether you’re drafting a blog post (like this one!), taking meeting notes, or journaling, the experience is top-notch. It feels less like you're typing into a sterile database and more like you're creating something with care.
Offline First, Online Always
This is a big one. A huge one. Unlike many of its competitors (I’m looking at you, Notion), Craft is built to work offline perfectly. You can open it on a plane, in the subway, or when your internet decides to take a vacation, and everything just works. It's a native app, not just a wrapper for a website. That means it’s fast, responsive, and reliable. All your changes sync instantly and seamlessly across your devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Windows, and Web) the moment you're back online. This offline functionality is an absolute godsend and provides peace of mind I didn't know I was missing.
On-Device AI That Respects Your Privacy
AI is everywhere now, and frankly, it can be a little creepy. Most AI assistants send your data to the cloud to be processed. Craft takes a different approach with its on-device AI. A lot of the heavy lifting for tasks like summarizing, brainstorming, or fixing grammar happens right on your phone or computer. This is a massive win for privacy. It means your personal notes and ideas stay personal. The AI is genuinely helpful for getting past writer's block or quickly organizing your thoughts, and knowing it's not snooping on my data makes me much more comfortable using it.
All Your Tasks Under One Roof
I used to have one app for notes, another for tasks, and a third for my calendar. It was a mess. Craft neatly integrates task management into your documents. You can create to-do lists, set reminders, and see everything in a dedicated calendar view. This integration means your action items can live right next to the project they belong to. It sounds simple, but centralizing this has cut down on so much of my mental clutter.
Who Is Craft For? (And Who It's Not)
I think Craft hits a sweet spot for a lot of people. If you're a student drowning in lecture notes, a writer looking for a zen-like space, a researcher gathering sources, or just someone who appreciates good design and a fluid user experience, you should really give Craft a look. It's fantastic for managing personal projects and day-to-day life.
However, it might not be for everyone. If you live and die by complex, relational databases and need the kind of raw, infinitely customizable power that a tool like Notion offers, Craft's simpler approach might feel a bit constrained. It doesn’t try to be an all-powerful operating system for your life; it tries to be the best possible space for your thoughts, and I respect that focus.
Let's Talk Money: Craft's Pricing Plans
Okay, the all-important question: what's this going to cost? Craft's pricing is pretty straightforward, and I appreciate that they have a genuinely useful free plan.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Craft Free | $0 / month | Occasional users. You get 1,500 content blocks and 1GB of storage, which is enough to see if you like it. |
| Craft Plus | $7.99 / month | Daily individual users. Unlimited everything, more AI requests, and shared spaces. |
| Friends & Family | $14.99 / month (for 6 accounts) | Honestly, the best deal. This gives 6 people full Plus accounts for about $2.50 each. An absolute steal. |
There are also group discounts for larger teams. The free plan is generous enough to really get a feel for the app without any pressure. But that Friends & Family plan? That's a killer offer if you can get a few people to go in on it with you.
Craft vs. The Competition (A Quick Rundown)
How does Craft stack up against the big names?
- Craft vs. Notion: Craft is the stylish, speedy cousin to Notion's powerful but sometimes clunky uncle. Notion wins on databases and sheer customizability. Craft wins on speed, offline access, and pure user experience.
- Craft vs. Evernote: Craft feels like what Evernote should have become. It's more modern, more beautiful, and has a more coherent vision. If you're a long-time Evernote user feeling a bit neglected, Craft is a very compelling upgrade.
- Craft vs. Obsidian: This is an interesting one. Both are loved for their speed and focus on personal knowledge management. Obsidian is more for the power-user who loves tinkering with plugins and plain text files. Craft is for the user who wants that power in a more polished, out-of-the-box package.
My Personal Take: The Good, The Bad, and The Beautiful
After all this, here's where I land. What I truly love about Craft is its feel. It's an app that respects my time and my focus. It’s fast, its beautiful, and the offline mode is a game-changer. The on-device AI is the cherry on top—useful features without the privacy trade-off.
What bugs me? The limitations on the free plan are understandable, but the 1,500 block limit can feel a bit tight if you're a heavy user. You'll know pretty quickly if you need to upgrade. And while it’s mostly intuitive, some of the more advanced styling and page-linking features can take a minute to get used to. It's a minor gripe, though.
Ultimately, Craft has found a permanent home on my devices. It's replaced both my quick-notes app and my heavy-duty project planner. It's a rare tool that manages to be both incredibly powerful and genuinely delightful to use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Craft
- Is Craft better than Notion?
- It depends on your needs. For beautiful documents, speed, and a superior mobile/offline experience, I'd say yes. For complex team databases and wikis, Notion still has the edge in raw power.
- Can I use Craft for free forever?
- Yes, the free plan is available forever. It has limitations on storage and the number of content blocks, so it's best for light or occasional use. You can get a lot done before hitting the ceiling.
- Does Craft work on Windows and Android?
- Craft is available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Windows, and on the Web. There is currently no native Android app, but Android users can use the web version.
- How private is the Craft AI Assistant?
- It's one of the more private options out there. It uses a mix of on-device AI (for things like summarization and translation) and cloud-based models (like GPT-4o) for more complex tasks. It's a thoughtful balance of power and privacy.
- Can I import my notes from other apps?
- Yes, Craft supports importing from various formats and services, including Markdown, TextBundle, Evernote, and Bear, making it easier to switch over.
Is Craft the Workspace for You?
The search for the perfect productivity app is a personal one. What works for me might not work for you. But Craft is the closest I've come to finding a tool that doesn't force me to compromise. It's fast, private, works anywhere, and is a joy to look at and use. It helps me think better, and you can't really ask for more than that.
If you're tired of the app-switching dance and want a single, elegant space for your thoughts and plans, do yourself a favor. Give the free version of Craft a spin. You might just end your quest.
