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Parth, a seasoned tech writer, wields the keyboard (or pen) with finesse to unravel the intricacies of both Windows and Mac operating systems. He has covered evergreen content on mobile devices and computers for multiple publications over the last six years. You can find his work on AndroidPolice, GuidingTech and TechWiser. Whether it’s demystifying system updates, deciphering error codes, or exploring hidden features, Parth’s prose guides readers through the binary maze. When not immersed in tech jargon, you’ll find him sipping chai, pondering the next software review, and occasionally indulging in a friendly debate about mechanical keyboards.

The note-taking world has been a duopoly: you either settled for the rigid, folder-heavy structure of Evernote or a free-form chaos of OneNote. Both are functional, but neither is particularly inspiring. Enter Craft – the app that finally proves a workspace can be as beautiful as it is powerful.

While Evernote is okay for archiving and OneNote is fine for a digital binder, Craft treats your notes like high-end documents and blends a stunning native interface with a smooth writing experience that makes you actually want to sit down and think.

Aesthetics as a productivity feature

The best-looking notes app

In apps like OneNote or Evernote, the interface was something I had to tolerate to get my data. Craft is completely in a different league. It lets you apply high-quality image backgrounds or sophisticated gradients to your documents.

When a document looks professional and eye-pleasing at the same time, I find myself writing with more clarity and intent. It turns a boring meeting note into something that looks like a published article. Because everything is block-based, I can use Cards to tuck away massive amounts of information.

Modern Evernote is built on Electron. For non-techy folks, that basically means the app is a website wrapper in a heavy container. It eats up your RAM, and there is always that split-second lag when you click a button.

Craft has native apps on all the major platforms. There is no loading spinner or lag between a keystroke and the letter appearing on the screen. The animations are also smooth. When you drag a block, it moves with a tactile fluidity that feels like moving a physical object on a desk.

More than just a note-taking app

Tasks, calendar, and whiteboards

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is thinking Craft is just a prettier version of Google Docs. I used to fall into that trap, too. I thought I needed Evernote for my notes, Todoist for my tasks, Google Calendar for my schedule, and maybe Miro for brainstorming.

But once I really dove in, I realized Craft isn’t just a note-taking app; it’s a complete operating system for my life. The calendar integration is seamless. Every single day gets its own Daily Note.

I treat my tasks as blocks. Because of the block-based system, I can put a checkbox right next to a research link, a PDF, or a brainstorming session. I don’t have to switch apps to check off a task.

Not every idea starts as a perfectly formatted paragraph. Sometimes, I need to see the ‘big picture,’ and that’s where Craft’s Whiteboard comes in.

Whenever I’m in the early stages of a project, I use a whiteboard in Craft to sketch out ideas, drag in images, and drop cards that link to documents. Now, I’m not wasting mental energy jumping between five different tabs.

Thoughtful AI integration

A crucial aspect

I appreciate that Craft’s AI isn’t a separate window I have to toggle. It’s right there in the slash (/) command. If I’m stuck on a sentence, I hit / and ask it to change tone to professional or make this more concise.

If I have just finished a messy brainstorming session, I highlight the whole block and ask it to extract action items.

Writing the first draft is always the hardest part. Now I simply summon up Craft AI, give it a few bullet points and ask it to create a project proposal.

In OneNote, AI feels like a corporate plugin. In Evernote, it feels like a desperate attempt to stay relevant. In Craft, it feels like the app is finally helping me keep up with the speed of my own thoughts.

Sharing and collaboration

Instant web publishing

Sharing and collaboration are where Craft really shines. When I finish a project proposal or a trip itinerary in Craft, I don’t export to PDF. I hit the Share to Web button.

In literally one second, Craft generates a private, secure URL that turns my note into a stunning, responsive website.

When my clients or friends open that link, they aren’t looking at a note. They are looking at a sleek, modern page with cover images, interactive toggles, and perfect typography. Working with others in OneNote and Evernote always felt like we were stepping on each other’s toes. In Craft, the collaboration is real-time and smooth.

Stop settling for ‘Okay’

At the end of the day, Evernote and OneNote aren’t going anywhere – they are the reliable workhorses of the productivity world. However, looking at Craft, it’s sufficient to say that it’s leading the charge. If you are tired of the bloat and the clunky UI of the giants, give Craft a try.

Start a fresh page in Craft today, drag in your first block, add an eye-pleasing background, and feel the difference in your new second brain. Aside from Craft, Bear Notes is another capable note-taking app to consider. However, it’s limited to Apple devices only.

Craft

Craft is an all-in-one note-taking app that rivals OneNote and Evernote.