Drafts
A quick-capture text app for Apple devices that sends your notes anywhere with actions.
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 5
- Approved reviews
- 0
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About Drafts
Drafts is built for capturing text first and deciding where it goes later. It opens to a blank page with the keyboard ready, so you can jot or dictate a thought in seconds, then use actions to send it elsewhere: copy it, email it, append it to a file, create a task or post it to another app. Thousands of community actions and a JavaScript scripting system make it a favourite of automation fans, and it supports tags, workspaces, Markdown, version history, Shortcuts and AppleScript. Recent versions added an MCP server on Mac so AI tools can read and update drafts, and support for Apple's Advanced Data Protection. The core app is a free download; Drafts Pro, a subscription, unlocks most customisation and automation. It runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. The trade-offs are no Windows, Android or web apps, and it is a capture tool rather than a place to organise a knowledge base. It suits Apple users who write a lot of short text.
Best for: Apple users who want the fastest way to capture text and route it to other apps.
Pros and cons
What works
- Opens instantly to a new note
- Huge library of actions and scripting
- Deep Shortcuts and AppleScript support
- MCP server on Mac for AI tools
Why people leave
- Apple devices only
- Most customisation needs a Pro subscription
- Not designed for organising a knowledge base
Top Drafts alternatives
See all 5- 1
Bear76.3A better place to keep and organise Markdown notes long term.
- 2
Obsidian73.3A cross-platform home for notes you capture elsewhere.
- 3
Apple Notes66.5Free and built in if you just need somewhere to jot things down.
- 4
NotePlan57.2Markdown daily notes with tasks and calendar on Apple devices.
- 5
Simplenote55.3Free plain-text notes on every platform, including Windows and Android.
Why people left Drafts
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Drafts: common questions
Is Drafts free?
Drafts has a free plan and paid plans.
Is Drafts open source?
No, Drafts is not open source.
What platforms does Drafts run on?
Drafts is available for macOS and iOS.
What are the best alternatives to Drafts?
The highest-ranked Drafts alternatives right now are Bear, Obsidian and Apple Notes. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.