Choosing the right tool to keep track of your notes, thoughts, and projects can be tough. We will explore two popular apps, Anytype vs Craft, to see how they stack up against each other. Both are powerful tools, but they work in very different ways.
This comparison will help you understand the key features of each app, making it easier to decide which one fits your personal style for organizing and remembering information best. Let’s dive into what makes these two note-takers unique.
What is Anytype?
Anytype is a brand-new type of software for organizing information, often called a “local-first” or “decentralized” app. It lets you create your own digital workspace where your data is always stored safely on your device first. This means you have full control over your notes and files at all times.
It is designed to be a flexible, all-in-one workspace that can handle everything from simple daily notes to complex databases. Anytype uses a building-block system to let you connect your ideas and information in powerful and personal ways that grow with you.
What is Craft?
Craft is a beautiful, modern app designed to make document creation and note-taking a joy to use. It focuses on stunning design and a smooth, easy-to-use experience, making your notes look clean and professional. Think of it as a creative space for your ideas.
It works great for sharing notes and collaborating with others, whether it’s for school or a team project. Craft uses “cards” and nested pages to organize your information in a neat, visual hierarchy, which makes it simple to find what you need quickly.
Key Differences: The Core of Each App
Anytype is fundamentally different because it is private and local-first, meaning your data lives mostly on your own computer or device. It is built around the idea of objects, where everything—a note, a person, a project—is a flexible ‘thing’ that can be connected to other things in a graph. This gives you amazing power to build your own system, like a personalized digital brain.
Craft, on the other hand, is a cloud-based app that prioritizes beautiful documents and easy sharing. While it has great organization tools, its main strength is in creating polished, ready-to-share content, much like a modern word processor. If you love a great look and need to work with others often, Craft’s focus on elegant documents and simple collaboration is a big win.
Usage and Availability
Using Anytype feels like building with digital LEGO blocks; you are creating a connected network of information that only you control. It’s perfect for people who want complete data privacy and want to build highly customized systems for knowledge management. Anytype works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, allowing you to access your personal space from almost anywhere..
Craft is exceptionally easy to pick up and start using immediately for beautiful note-taking and document creation. Its interface is very intuitive, meaning you don’t need to spend much time learning how to use it. Craft is available on Apple devices (Mac, iPad, iPhone) and via a web browser, making it a favorite for those already in the Apple ecosystem who value polished design and quick sharing capabilities.
Conclusion
Both Anytype and Craft offer excellent ways to capture and organize your information, but they serve different needs. Anytype is the choice for users who demand privacy, data control, and deep customization, building a unique, interconnected knowledge base. Craft is best for those who value beautiful design, smooth collaboration, and ease of use, creating stunning documents effortlessly. Your perfect tool depends on whether you prefer a personalized, private data hub or a fast, polished, collaborative workspace.
FAQs
- Is Anytype free to use? Yes, Anytype is currently free to use. It is being developed as an open-source, decentralized app, meaning its core features will remain free for everyone.
- Is Craft free to use? Craft offers a free plan with basic features and limitations on the number of “blocks” or pieces of content you can create. For unlimited usage and advanced features, you must subscribe to a paid plan.
- Which app is better for students? Craft might be slightly better for students due to its easy sharing and great-looking document creation, which is perfect for handing in assignments or study group notes. Anytype is great for personal research and building complex connections between topics.
- Where is my data stored in Anytype? In Anytype, your data is stored locally on your devices first. It uses an encrypted peer-to-peer network to sync your data across your devices, meaning you, not a company, own the data.
- Where is my data stored in Craft? In Craft, your data is primarily stored in their secure cloud servers. This makes it easy to sync instantly across all your devices and simplifies the process of sharing documents with others.
- Does Craft work on Windows? Craft has a web application that works well on Windows, but they currently do not offer a dedicated, native desktop application for the Windows operating system. It is primarily built for Apple devices.
- Can I use Anytype for team collaboration? Currently, Anytype’s main focus is on the individual user and personal data control, making true real-time team collaboration more difficult than in Craft. Future updates are expected to improve this.
- Which app is better for simple daily notes? Both apps can handle simple notes, but Craft is often faster for quick capture and has a more elegant editor for simple, distraction-free writing. Anytype can feel a bit heavier due to its database-like structure.
- Can I export my notes from both apps? Yes, both Anytype and Craft allow you to export your notes in common formats like Markdown, which means you can always take your data with you if you decide to switch apps.
- Which app is easier to learn? Craft is generally easier and faster to learn because its design is very intuitive and clean. Anytype has a steeper learning curve due to the immense flexibility it offers for building your own knowledge system.
