Software Alternatives & Startups

Foam VS Sortd

Compare Foam VS Sortd and see what are their differences

Foam

Personal knowledge management and sharing on VSCode & GitHub

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Sortd

Rated the #1 App for Gmail

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium Free trial

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Foam seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 49 times since March 2021.

social mentions
49 vs 0
Note Taking popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Foam
Sortd
Website foambubble.github.io sortd.com
Pricing
Open source
Freemium Free trial Official pricing
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

About Foam and Sortd

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Foam
Sortd

No description of Foam yet.

One intuitive workspace to manage your Emails, To-do's, Projects, Sales, Client Service, CRM and Teamwork ... right in GMAIL!

Read more about Sortd

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Foam 6 features
Sortd 7 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Seamless Gmail Integration
    Sortd integrates directly with Gmail, transforming your inbox into an organized workspace for tasks, emails, and projects without the need to switch platforms.
  • Visual Task Management
    The tool uses a visually intuitive system that allows users to organize emails and tasks into columns and lists, offering a clear, easy-to-manage overview.
  • Collaborative Features
    Sortd facilitates team collaboration by allowing users to share boards, delegate tasks, and comment directly within the interface.
  • Customizable Boards
    Users can create custom boards and lists tailored to their workflow, providing flexibility in task and project management.
  • Drag-and-Drop Interface
    The drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to move tasks and emails between lists and columns, streamlining organization.
  • Integrated Notes and Reminders
    Users can add notes and set reminders directly within Sortd, helping to keep relevant information and deadlines in view.
  • Task Prioritization
    Sortd allows users to prioritize tasks, ensuring that high-priority activities stand out and are addressed promptly.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Free Plan
    The free version of Sortd has limited features and board quotas, which may be insufficient for users needing more comprehensive functionality.
  • Learning Curve
    Although Sortd is designed to be user-friendly, new users may require time to fully adapt to its interface and functionalities.
  • Gmail Dependency
    The service is primarily built for Gmail users, which means it's not suitable for those using other email providers or platforms.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported occasional performance issues, such as lagging and slow load times, particularly with large volumes of emails and tasks.
  • Mobile App Limitations
    The mobile version of Sortd is not as feature-rich as its desktop counterpart, which can be a drawback for users who rely heavily on mobile management.
  • Cost for Premium Features
    Access to premium features and functionalities requires a subscription, which might be a barrier for individuals or small teams with limited budgets.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As with any third-party email integration tool, there are inherent privacy concerns related to granting access to your email account.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Foam
Sortd

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

Overall verdict

  • Sortd is generally considered a good tool for individuals and small to medium-sized teams seeking to improve email management and workflow organization within Gmail. Its intuitive interface and practical features often receive praise from users, though its utility largely depends on individual workflow needs and preferences.

Why this product is good

  • Sortd is designed to enhance productivity by transforming your email and tasks into organized, manageable lists. Integrated directly with Gmail, it allows users to prioritize emails, track important tasks, and collaborate seamlessly without leaving their inbox. Its visual format helps users manage workflows more effectively, making it a useful tool for individuals and teams looking to optimize their email and task management processes.

Recommended for

  • Professionals who rely heavily on email communication and need a structured way to organize their inbox.
  • Teams looking to streamline their task management processes by integrating it directly with email.
  • Users who prefer a visual, list-based approach to managing tasks and emails.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Foam 3 videos + Add
Sortd 3 videos + Add

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

More videos

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

Sortd - Organize Gmail Into Organized Task Lists

More videos

  • - Sortd
  • - Sortd for Email & Teamwork

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Foam
Sortd
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Foam and Sortd. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Foam no reviews yet
Sortd no reviews yet

We have no reviews of Foam yet. Be the first one to post

  • The 24 Best Email Marketing Tools
    webbiquity.com · Aug 2022

    Sortd is a Gmail tool that’s “the perfect place for those emails you aren’t sure what to do with.” Sortd brings email and task management together – if you can’t respond to an email right away, simply drag it to your...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Foam 49 mentions
Sortd 0 mentions
  • AI Coding Tip 020 - Create a Second Brain
    Choose a local Markdown tool like Obsidian, Logseq, Foam, or Tolaria to store all your knowledge as plain .md files you own and control. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • 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... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • I Use Obsidian
    I gave up on Obsidian and just use Foam (https://foambubble.github.io/foam/) and/or vimwiki. I just can’t get into overwrought, arbitrarily designed organization schemes or proprietary apps (Foam-managed content is just plain Markdown,... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago

View more

Tracking Sortd since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Foam and Sortd

When comparing Foam and Sortd, you can also consider the following products.