- Pick it if you are:
- Apple-only users; Quick capture and lists
- Top complaint:
- Apple Notes not syncing between iPhone and Mac
- Price:
- Free plan
- Pick it if you are:
- Apple users wanting beautiful native documents; Writers who value speed and offline use
- Top complaint:
- Craft free plan limited to 1,500 blocks
- Price:
- Free plan, paid from $10/mo
Score Comparison
Signals Comparison
Apple Notes
- Apple Notes not syncing between iPhone and Mac(8/10)
- Apple Notes disappeared or missing after update(9/10)
- Apple Notes shared note not updating or collaboration unavailable(7/10)
- Apple Notes not syncing when iCloud storage is full(7/10)
- Apple Notes crashing after iOS or macOS update(6/10)
Craft
- Craft still shows free limits after upgrading(5/10)
- Craft not syncing between devices(8/10)
- Craft offline mode limited on Windows, web and Android(6/10)
Apple Notes
- Forgot Apple Notes password for locked notes(8/10)
- Locked notes do not sync edits with collaborators(4/10)
Craft
- iCloud External Storage spaces unreliable across devices(5/10)
- Sign in with Apple and email create separate Craft accounts(8/10)
Apple Notes
- Apple Notes slow, lagging or freezing with large notes(6/10)
Craft
- Craft Windows and web apps lag behind the Mac app(6/10)
Apple Notes
- Apple Notes has no Android or Windows app(7/10)
- Gmail or Google notes not syncing in Apple Notes(5/10)
Craft
No signals
Apple Notes
- Apple Notes export and import limits(6/10)
- Apple Notes lacks features of dedicated note apps(5/10)
Craft
- Cluttered UI with confusing navigation(6/10)
- Formatting and editing is cumbersome(6/10)
- New features feel incomplete and buggy(5/10)
- No built-in task management or databases(6/10)
- Craft export loses formatting and images(5/10)
Apple Notes
No signals
Craft
- Craft free plan limited to 1,500 blocks(7/10)
- Craft AI credits run out fast(4/10)
- Is Craft Plus worth $10 a month?(5/10)
Apple Notes
No signals
Craft
- iPad version lacks desktop-class features(5/10)
Pricing Comparison
Apple Notes
Users: One Apple Account
Storage: Counts against iCloud storage (5 GB free)
Limits: Apple devices only (iCloud.com on the web), no Android or Windows app, no in-app Markdown writing, limited linking
Craft
Users: 1 user
Storage: 1 GB, 25 MB per file
Limits: No shared space, 25 MB uploads, short version history
Users: 1 user
Storage: 1 TB per space, 5 GB per file
Limits: 300,000 blocks per space on Apple apps
Users: 1 user
Storage: 1 TB per space, 5 GB per file
Limits: Individual use
Users: Up to 6 people (owner + 5)
Storage: 1 TB per space
Limits: Shared spaces must be created under Settings > Team > Spaces
Users: Up to 10 members
Storage: 1 TB per space
Limits: Larger teams need custom pricing
Users: 1 user
Limits: Must keep student/educator status
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Apple Notes | Craft |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Locked notes A forgotten separate password cannot be recovered | ||
| Local file storage Craft cloud by default; External Storage spaces optional | ||
| iCloud sync option External Storage spaces; not recommended across devices | ||
| Performance | ||
| Native Apple apps Best Mac App 2021 | ||
| Sharing | ||
| Shared editing iCloud notes only | ||
| Reliability | ||
| Offline-first Full offline editing | ||
| Cross-platform sync Mac, iOS, iPadOS, Vision Pro, Windows, Web, Android | ||
| Data | ||
| Markdown export Needs iOS 26 or macOS Tahoe | ||
| Core | ||
| Document scanning | ||
| Usability | ||
| Beautiful documents Focus on visual quality | ||
| Platforms | ||
| Android app | ||
| Windows app iCloud.com web only | ||
| Productivity | ||
| Templates Available | ||
| Kanban boards Not available | ||
| Task management No built-in tasks | ||
| AI | ||
| Craft AI 15 credits free, 50/month on Plus | ||
| Power | ||
| Backlinks and plugins | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Team collaboration Family and Team plans | ||
| Pricing | ||
| Education plan Free Pro for students | ||
| Unlimited free blocks 1,500 block limit on free | ||
| Portability | ||
| Export (PDF, Word, Markdown, TextBundle) Word not on Windows; bulk export Mac/iPad only | ||
| Capture | ||
| Web clipper Available | ||
| Organization | ||
| Databases Not available | ||
| Bidirectional linking Limited linking features | ||
| Integrations | ||
| API & MCP 100 requests/min on Free and Plus | ||
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