Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Foam VS Cogency.io

Compare Foam VS Cogency.io and see what are their differences

Foam logo Foam

Personal knowledge management and sharing on VSCode & GitHub

Cogency.io logo Cogency.io

Video Conferencing Solutions
  • Foam Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-06-28
  • Cogency.io Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-24

Foam features and specs

  • Open Source
    Foam is an open-source tool, which means it is free to use and allows for community-driven development and contributions. Users can modify the source code to fit their specific needs.
  • Markdown Support
    Foam uses Markdown, a lightweight and easy-to-read syntax, making it simple to create and manage notes. This also allows for easy integration with other Markdown-based tools and platforms.
  • Integration with Visual Studio Code
    Foam is designed to work seamlessly with Visual Studio Code (VS Code). This provides users with a powerful and familiar text editor environment, complete with extensions and customization options.
  • Graph View
    Foam includes a graph visualization feature that helps users see and navigate the relationships between their notes, making it easier to understand and manage complex information.
  • Bidirectional Links
    Foam supports bidirectional links, allowing users to create connections between notes in both directions. This enhances the note-taking experience by enabling a more interconnected and dynamic information structure.
  • Community and Documentation
    Foam has a growing community of users and contributors, as well as comprehensive documentation. This support network helps users troubleshoot issues, share tips, and improve their knowledge of the tool.

Possible disadvantages of Foam

  • Limited to VS Code
    Foam relies on Visual Studio Code as its primary environment. Users who prefer different text editors or platforms might find this limitation restrictive and less convenient.
  • Learning Curve
    Although Foam leverages Markdown, users may still face a learning curve, especially if they are not familiar with VS Code or the specific features and extensions required to maximize Foam's capabilities.
  • Performance with Large Datasets
    Foam can struggle with performance issues when handling large datasets or a high number of notes. This can lead to slow response times and inefficient workflows.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    Foam is primarily designed for desktop use within VS Code, which means that mobile support is limited. Users looking for a seamless cross-platform experience might find this aspect lacking.
  • Customization Complexity
    While Foam offers a high degree of customization, setting up and configuring the tool to meet personal preferences and workflows can be complex and time-consuming for some users.

Cogency.io features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Cogency.io offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise.
  • Collaboration Features
    The platform provides robust collaboration tools that enable teams to work together seamlessly, enhancing productivity and communication.
  • Real-Time Updates
    Cogency.io supports real-time updates, ensuring that users have access to the most current information and can make timely decisions.
  • Customizable Workflows
    Users can customize workflows to suit their specific needs, allowing for flexibility and adaptability in various projects.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Cogency.io integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, enhancing its functionality and allowing for a more connected ecosystem.

Possible disadvantages of Cogency.io

  • Pricing
    Cogency.io may be considered expensive for small businesses or individual users compared to other project management solutions.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its intuitive interface, some users may still experience a learning curve due to the platform's extensive features and customization options.
  • Limited Offline Access
    Cogency.io requires an internet connection for most features, which can be a drawback for users needing offline access.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported occasional performance issues, such as slow loading times, which can affect user experience.
  • Customer Support
    While customer support is available, some users have noted delays in response times, which can be frustrating when issues arise.

Analysis of Foam

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Foam is a good tool for those seeking an open-source environment for note-taking and knowledge management, particularly if they appreciate an approach based on markdown files and integration within a powerful text editor like Visual Studio Code. Its flexibility and user-driven customization make it suitable for users who enjoy tweaking and optimizing their workspace according to their workflow.

Why this product is good

  • Foam is a personal knowledge management and sharing system inspired by Roam Research, offering an open-source solution built on top of Visual Studio Code. It provides users with capabilities to create and interlink notes using markdown files, offering flexibility and customization suited to personal preferences. Foam supports features like backlinking, graph visualization of notes, and integration with VS Code extensions, making it a robust tool for managing interconnected information effectively.

Recommended for

  • Individuals preferring markdown-based note-taking systems
  • Developers familiar with Visual Studio Code
  • Users who appreciate open-source software and community-driven projects
  • People interested in managing complex, interconnected knowledge bases

Foam videos

These panels DESTROYED my STUDIO....REVERB? - ArrowZoom Foam Review

More videos:

  • Review - Arrowzoom Foam Review
  • Review - Ryobi Foam Blaster VS. Amazon Foam Cannon | Review

Cogency.io videos

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

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Foam and Cogency.io)
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0
Project Management
0 0%
100% 100
Knowledge Base
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
72 72%
28% 28

User comments

Share your experience with using Foam and Cogency.io. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Foam should be more popular than Cogency.io. It has been mentiond 48 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.

Foam mentions (48)

  • Migrating from DokuWiki to Obsidian
    I've been using foam instead of obsidian for my personal knowledge base. It works rather well. And it's completely free and ultimately just markdown. While I might wish it was djot, I don't wish hard enough to make that so myself https://foambubble.github.io/foam/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • I Use Obsidian
    I gave up on Obsidian and just use Foam (https://foambubble.github.io/foam/) and/or vimwiki. I just canโ€™t get into overwrought, arbitrarily designed organization schemes or proprietary apps (Foam-managed content is just plain Markdown, so I can easily do without itโ€”it provides the absolute bare minimum for easy linking of notes without proprietary markup). - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Use a Work Journal to Recover Focus Faster and Clarify Your Thoughts
    If you're interested in an open-source, free equivalent, check out VSCodium (open-source version of VSCode), and FOAM (VSCode plugin - https://foambubble.github.io/foam/). In a new project, create a `docs/` folder, and start with `docs/notes.md`. When you want to branch out to other files & links, you can type [[MyTopic]] and FOAM will automatically create MyTopic.md, and will allow you to click on the link and... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Vscode setup with Foam and Logseq for Digital Note Taking
    Source: (1) A personal knowledge management and sharing system for VSCode - Foam. https://foambubble.github.io/foam/. (2) A personal knowledge management and sharing system for VSCode. https://github.com/foambubble/foam. (3) Loam - Visual Studio Marketplace. https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ciceroisback.loam. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Request: VSCode extension that allows users to edit .cavas files
    Foam[0], memo[1], Markdown Memo[2], md-graph[3] file/directory display plugin [4] ----- misc related links: https://forum.obsidian.md/t/obsidian-vscode-editor-elevate-your-code-editing-experience-in-obsidian/69057/2 https://forum.obsidian.md/t/vs-code-plugin-the-best-of-both-worlds/6358 https://jukkaniiranen.com/2022/01/canvas-app-source-code-editing-with-vs-code-in-your-browser/... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
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Cogency.io mentions (7)

  • Made redundant last week. It gave me the push I needed to start my side project.
    Yeah, a GitHub account and/or previous work. I currently run https://cogency.io and am looking for very highly skilled front end devs. Source: over 2 years ago
  • My competitors business address comes up on Google when you search my business. I think they did this somehow? How do I change this?
    Hi, your comment stood out to me. Do you think you give me some pointers on how to improve my SEO for https://cogency.io ? Source: about 3 years ago
  • still new business. any ideas?
    You could create self-hosting pages for free with https://cogency.io and setup a custom domain to white label it. Nowadays websites are not critical any longer. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Would you mind judging my site, no need for complements Iโ€™m just looking for flaws and room for improvement.
    In return, would you mind judging my site? Https://cogency.io. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Promote your business, week of August 15, 2022
    Startup Name / URL Cogency - https://cogency.io Details: We offer the following:. Source: about 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Foam and Cogency.io, 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.

PixelPaper - Hey!

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

Lucidspark - The virtual whiteboard that connects teams so they can bring their best ideas to life

Roam Research - A note-taking tool for networked thought

Borawork - All-in-One collaboration tool. Best for freelancers and teams who desire decent management for multiple clients and projects efficiently. Plan your projects, communicate, track, and manage all things in one place to achieve common goals.