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Craft alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Craft: free plan caps you at 1,500 blocks, and proprietary format and cloud storage. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Craft, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Notion currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Notion logoNotionFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +21 of 376.8
2Bear logoBearFree plan + paidNomacOS, iOS2 of 376.3
3Obsidian logoObsidianFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +22 of 370.9
4Capacities logoCapacitiesFree plan + paidNoWeb, macOS, Windows +35 of 570.3
5AFFiNE logoAFFiNEFree plan + paidYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 468.6
6Apple Notes logoApple NotesFreeNomacOS, iOS, Web4 of 459.6
  1. Notion logo

    1. NotionTop pick

    Best for: Teams that want docs, wikis and simple databases in one place

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    76.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Craft

    Stronger databases and team workspaces when documents need structure.

    Pros

    • Flexible blocks and databases
    • Large template gallery
    • Strong sharing and permissions

    Cons

    • Needs an internet connection for most work
    • Large workspaces can feel slow
    Visit Notion Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1553
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Notion a good Craft alternative?

    Verified facts

    1 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 24, 2026notion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
    Not checked yetnotion.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    No
    Not checked yetnotion.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Bear logo

    2. Bear

    Best for: Apple users who want a fast, beautiful Markdown writing app

    Free plan + paidmacOS, iOS

    76.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Craft

    A simpler, cheaper Apple-only writing app with Markdown and tags.

    Pros

    • Polished, distraction-free editor
    • Nested hashtags for organizing
    • Many export formats

    Cons

    • Apple devices only
    • Sync requires Bear Pro
    Visit Bear Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Bear a good Craft alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Platforms
    macOS, iOS, iPadOS
    Checked Oct 24, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Bear Pro subscription
    Not checked yetbear.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Editor
    Markdown
    Checked Oct 24, 2026bear.app(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Obsidian logo

    3. Obsidian

    Best for: People who want to own their notes as local Markdown files

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    70.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Craft

    Local Markdown files and plugins instead of a proprietary cloud format.

    Pros

    • Notes are plain Markdown files you own
    • Works fully offline
    • Huge plugin ecosystem

    Cons

    • Official sync is a paid add-on
    • Real-time collaboration is limited
    Visit Obsidian Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Obsidian a good Craft alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free, no sign-up required
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    Local Markdown files
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Paid add-on
    Not checked yetobsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Capacities logo

    4. Capacities

    Best for: Individuals who want a structured personal knowledge base without building it from scratch

    Free plan + paidWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

    70.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Craft

    Object-based notes with a generous free plan for building a knowledge base.

    Pros

    • Generous free plan that is a complete notes app
    • Object types give structure without complex setup
    • Apps on every major platform
    • Hosted in Europe

    Cons

    • Cloud-based, not local Markdown files
    • Little support for team collaboration
    • Object model takes time to learn
    Visit Capacities Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Capacities a good Craft alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, free forever
    Checked Oct 25, 2026capacities.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro price
    $9.99 per month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026capacities.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026capacities.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Data location
    Europe
    Checked Oct 25, 2026capacities.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Active users
    50,000+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026capacities.io(opens source in a new tab)
  5. AFFiNE logo

    5. AFFiNE

    Best for: People who want Notion-style docs and a whiteboard in one local-first, self-hostable app

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    68.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Craft

    Open-source docs plus whiteboards, with local-first storage and self-hosting.

    Pros

    • Docs and whiteboard views of the same page
    • Local-first, works offline
    • Self-hosting option
    • Free for personal use

    Cons

    • Less mature than Notion, with rough edges
    • Server is source-available rather than fully open source
    • Mobile apps trail the desktop
    Visit AFFiNE Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is AFFiNE a good Craft alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Editor licence
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026affine.pro(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Yes, source-available backend
    Checked Oct 25, 2026affine.pro(opens source in a new tab)
    Team plan
    $10 per seat/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026affine.pro(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026affine.pro(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Apple Notes logo

    6. Apple Notes

    Best for: Apple users who want quick, reliable notes that sync with no setup or extra cost

    FreemacOS, iOS, Web

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Craft

    Free and built in if you mostly need quick notes rather than polished docs.

    Pros

    • Free and preinstalled on Apple devices
    • Scanning, sketching, audio transcripts and inline maths
    • Shared notes and folders for family or small groups
    • Fast, reliable iCloud sync

    Cons

    • No Windows or Android apps, only iCloud.com in a browser
    • Weak export and no Markdown files
    • No backlinks, templates or plugins
    Visit Apple Notes Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Apple Notes a good Craft alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Audio transcription
    Yes, live transcripts
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Inline maths
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Locked notes
    Yes, password protected
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free iCloud storage
    5 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Craft alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Notion logo

Best Craft alternative for most people

Notion

Stronger databases and team workspaces when documents need structure.

Apple Notes logo

Best Craft alternative for a free option

Apple Notes

Free and built in if you mostly need quick notes rather than polished docs.

Bear logo

Best Craft alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Bear

A simpler, cheaper Apple-only writing app with Markdown and tags.

AFFiNE logo

Best Craft alternative for open source

AFFiNE

Open-source docs plus whiteboards, with local-first storage and self-hosting.

AFFiNE logo

Best Craft alternative for self-hosting

AFFiNE

Open-source docs plus whiteboards, with local-first storage and self-hosting.

Obsidian logo

Best Craft alternative for Mac

Obsidian

Local Markdown files and plugins instead of a proprietary cloud format.

Capacities logo

Best Craft alternative for Windows

Capacities

Object-based notes with a generous free plan for building a knowledge base.

Obsidian logo

Best Craft alternative for Linux

Obsidian

Local Markdown files and plugins instead of a proprietary cloud format.

Notion logo

Best Craft alternative for iPhone and Android

Notion

Stronger databases and team workspaces when documents need structure.

Notion logo

Best Craft alternative for working in the browser

Notion

Stronger databases and team workspaces when documents need structure.

Craft alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Craft?

Notion ranks first right now. Stronger databases and team workspaces when documents need structure. Bear and Obsidian follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Craft?

Yes. Notion (free plan + paid), Bear (free plan + paid), Obsidian (free plan + paid) and Capacities (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Craft?

Yes: AFFiNE. AFFiNE can also be self-hosted.

Which Craft alternatives work on Linux?

Obsidian, Capacities and AFFiNE run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Craft?

The complaints we hear most: free plan caps you at 1,500 blocks; proprietary format and cloud storage; lighter team and database features than Notion.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Craft, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.