Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Craft Docs VS Flexnote

Compare Craft Docs VS Flexnote and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Craft Docs logo Craft Docs

The writing app you've been waiting for

Flexnote logo Flexnote

A local-first visual note-taking app with an infinite canvas and AI. Mind maps, tag databases, YouTube video notes, and PDF annotationโ€”built for deep learning and research.
  • Craft Docs Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-23
  • Flexnote
    Image date //
    2026-08-16

FlexNote is a local-first visual note-taking and knowledge management app designed for deep learning, research, and creative thinking.

Unlike traditional note apps that organize information in linear documents and folders, FlexNote lets you place cards freely on an infinite canvas, connect ideas visually, and transform your notes into dynamic mind maps.

Key features

  • Infinite canvas and mind maps โ€” Arrange cards spatially, connect related ideas, and navigate large knowledge structures.
  • Local-first storage โ€” Your data is stored on your own device and remains under your control.
  • Flexible synchronization โ€” Sync through your own WebDAV, Amazon S3, OneDrive, or other supported storage service.
  • PDF annotation โ€” Read and highlight PDFs while turning important passages into linked reference cards.
  • Video notes โ€” Create timestamped annotations for YouTube and other supported video platforms.
  • Tag-based databases โ€” Organize cards with reusable tags, properties, filters, and structured views.
  • Markdown and bidirectional links โ€” Write naturally and build connections across your knowledge base.
  • Knowledge-base AI โ€” Ask questions and work with information from your own notes.
  • Web publishing โ€” Publish a canvas as an interactive, view-only webpage.
  • High-performance canvas โ€” Work with large boards containing thousands of nodes.

FlexNote is suitable for researchers, students, writers, designers, visual thinkers, and anyone looking for a local-first alternative to tools such as Heptabase, Milanote, Logseq, and Joplin.

Use FlexNote to collect information, annotate source material, connect ideas, synthesize research, and turn complex knowledge into a clear visual structure.

Craft Docs

Website
craft.do
Release Date
2019 January
Startup details
Country
Hungary
State
Budapest
City
Budapest
Founder(s)
Balint Orosz
Employees
10 - 19

Craft Docs features and specs

  • User Interface
    Craft Docs offers a clean, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing user interface that enhances the user experience and makes navigation easy.
  • Block-Based Editing
    The application uses a block-based editing system, which allows users to manage information flexibly by moving and reorganizing content blocks easily.
  • Collaboration
    Craft Docs provides robust collaboration features, enabling multiple users to work on documents simultaneously, making it suitable for team projects.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    It is available across multiple platforms including iOS, macOS, and web, providing users with the flexibility to work from various devices.
  • Integration with Other Tools
    The software integrates with popular tools and services like Google Calendar, allowing for a seamless workflow across different applications.

Possible disadvantages of Craft Docs

  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of Craft Docs offers limited features, which might not be sufficient for power users or those looking to leverage full functionality without commitment.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might find the block-based system unfamiliar and may require time to adapt to the unique way of organizing content compared to traditional document editors.
  • Offline Functionality
    While Craft Docs offers offline capabilities, the feature set is somewhat limited compared to its online mode, which could hinder productivity without internet access.
  • Export Options
    Although the application supports exporting documents in various formats, some users may find the customization of export options lacking compared to other tools.
  • Mac and iOS Focus
    Craft Docs primarily targets Apple ecosystems, which may limit its appeal or integration capabilities for users who predominantly use Windows or Android devices.

Flexnote features and specs

  • Simple Interface
    Flexnote offers a clean, minimalist interface that makes it easy for users to quickly jot down notes without a steep learning curve.
  • Cross-Platform Access
    Users can typically access their notes across multiple devices, allowing for seamless note-taking whether on desktop, tablet, or mobile.
  • Quick Note Creation
    The app is designed for speed, enabling users to capture thoughts and ideas rapidly without unnecessary steps or complex menus.
  • Organizational Features
    Flexnote includes tools like tags, folders, or categories to help users organize their notes efficiently for easy retrieval later.
  • Lightweight Application
    Being a lightweight app, Flexnote tends to load quickly and doesn't consume excessive system resources, making it efficient for everyday use.

Analysis of Craft Docs

Overall verdict

  • Craft Docs is generally considered to be an excellent choice for those looking for an intuitive and flexible document creation and note-taking app. Its strengths lie in its aesthetic appeal and functional integration, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

Why this product is good

  • Craft Docs, or craft.do, is regarded as a powerful tool for note-taking and document creation because of its sleek design, user-friendly interface, and collaborative features. It offers robust formatting options, seamless syncing across devices, and the ability to embed various types of media, making it a versatile platform for personal and professional use.

Recommended for

  • Individuals who value design and aesthetics in their productivity tools
  • Teams looking for a collaborative document editing platform
  • Users needing a versatile, cross-platform note-taking and document management solution
  • People who benefit from multimedia support in their documentation

Craft Docs videos

BUILD A HOME ON CRAFT DOCS ๐Ÿก

More videos:

  • Review - Digital Organization with Craft Docs: Key Features and How I Set It Up!

Flexnote videos

No Flexnote videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Craft Docs and Flexnote)
Note Taking
95 95%
5% 5
Personal Notes
0 0%
100% 100
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Knowledge Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Craft Docs seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 28 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Craft Docs mentions (28)

  • Feature request: Backlinks for Text Blocks
    I use UpNote in part because it's not block-based. Blocks really screw up the way I like to edit. But if it's important to you, and if you're on a Mac you might look at Craft. It's not as user-friendly as UpNote, but it's just as feature-rich, and is block-based, with fantastic reciprocal linking. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Multi-purpose app recommendations
    Have a look at Craft and it's templates. https://craft.do/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Reka.js - Build your own no-code editor โœจ
    Don't apologize! It was perfect! I'm sorry, I at first thought Craft.js was referencing craft.do, as they're both kind of page editors, so I didn't realize what it was at first. This is such wonderful work! Thank you for pointing it out to me! This looks like exactly what I need! Source: over 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (February 2023)
    Craft Docs (https://craft.do/) | Engineering (multiple roles) | Full Time | Remote (EU Timezone) or hybrid in Budapest (HU) or Edinburgh (UK) --- We're building an app for crafting beautiful documents and taking notes. Already available for 2 years, won the Mac App of the year 2021 award by Apple, good user base (individuals and business) and community (11k+ on Slack), raised a series B recently, plenty of runway,... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • Orbi is blocking Craft.do app and website
    The website and app works on every other network (cell, non-orbi wifi). I've tried the app and tried the web interface for Orbi, but haven't been able to find any way to unblock a specific domain. It's also not listed in the "Armor" settings as being a blocked threat. I have two office locations, both of which use Orbi, and both locations won't load craft.do. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

Flexnote mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Flexnote yet. Tracking of Flexnote recommendations started around Aug 2026.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Craft Docs and Flexnote, you can also consider the following products

Obsidian.md - A second brain, for you, forever. Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files.

Heptabase - A note-taking tool for visual learning.

Puppet - Easily create custom dashboards for your users

Joplin - Joplin is a free, open source note taking and to-do application, which can handle a large number of notes organised into notebooks. The notes are searchable, tagged and modified either from the applications directly or from your own text editor.

Capacities - A powerful note-taking tool. All your ideas โ€“ typed and connected.

Logseq - Logseq is a local-first, non-linear, outliner notebook for organizing and sharing your personal knowledge base.